Revolutionary Game Set to Ignite PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass on Day One, August 2023
A highly-anticipated indie gem is set to grace the libraries of both PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass in August 2023 Prepare for a delightful nostalgia trip as this new game arrives on both popular subscription services
Highlights
Sea of Stars, an indie RPG with a nostalgic retro feel, will make its debut on Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus simultaneously, marking a groundbreaking achievement for these subscription services.Taking inspiration from beloved SNES RPGs such as Illusion of Gaia and Chrono Trigger, this captivating game showcases a visually stunning pixel art style that pays homage to the golden era of gaming.
The release of Sea of Stars on both Game Pass and PS Plus at the same time may be an exception, but it could also pave the way for future games to launch on both services. Subscription services are becoming increasingly influential in the gaming industry. This summer, gamers can look forward to the arrival of Sea of Stars, a new retro-style indie RPG, on both Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus on its release day. While indie games have commonly debuted on these subscription services, it is uncommon for a single game to launch on both simultaneously.
Sea of Stars, a turn-based RPG developed by the indie studio Sabotage Studio, is heavily influenced by classic JRPGs and features a visually stunning retro pixel art style akin to Zelda. Drawing inspiration from beloved titles such as Illusion of Gaia, Chrono Trigger, and Super Mario RPG, Sea of Stars aims to offer a nostalgic experience for fans of '90s SNES RPGs. Notably, the game has collaborated with renowned composer Yasunori Mitsuda, known for his exceptional work on Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, and Xenoblade Chronicles 3, to create its captivating musical score.
In an unexpected move, PlayStation recently took to Twitter to announce that Sea of Stars will be available on PlayStation Plus from its launch date, August 29. This announcement holds significance as it marks a first for both Xbox and PlayStation, as no game has debuted on both platforms' subscription services simultaneously. While games have switched from one service to another in the past, this is a unique moment in gaming history.
It would be intriguing to discover who managed to secure the initial launch of Sea of Stars and the factors that made it possible. Typically, a game that launches on a subscription service on its first day would be prohibited from doing the same on a competitor's service. The rights to market the game usually come with a Game Pass or PS Plus launch. The simultaneous release of Sea of Stars on both Game Pass and PS Plus may just be an unusual occurrence. However, this unprecedented situation could potentially pave the way for future titles, regardless of their size, to follow suit as subscription services continue to gain prominence in the industry.
Sea of Stars is launching in a highly competitive late August timeframe, alongside major game releases such as EA's Immortals of Aveum and FromSoftware's long-awaited Armored Core 6. Sabotage Studio's retro turn-based RPG will also see the release of fellow indie titles like Goodbye Volcano High and the Quantic Dream-published Under the Waves on its August 29 release date. Despite its uniqueness, Sea of Stars will face significant competition upon its launch. Nevertheless, being the first-ever game to launch simultaneously on Game Pass and PS Plus may give it an advantage.
Sea of Stars is coming out on August 29 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
