Unleashing the Magic: Sea of Stars Steals the Spotlight in 2023

Highlights

Sea of Stars and Chained Echoes are standout indie RPGs that pay homage to the 16 and 32-bit classics while adding their own unique twists and innovations.

Sea of Stars and Chained Echoes stay true to the difficulty of classic RPGs while incorporating modern gameplay mechanics, drawing inspiration from the underappreciated PS1 RPG Legend of Dragoon and showcasing the brilliant features of this cult-classic in the genre. Both games offer a substantial challenge for players.

In 2023's packed release schedule, there has been an abundance of high-quality RPGs, making it a standout year for the genre. Among these releases, Sabotage Studio's Sea of Stars is one of the most highly anticipated, and it could even be a dark horse contender for Game of the Year. This RPG perfectly captures the essence of the genre's golden age in the 16 and 32-bit eras while also introducing fresh ideas and improvements. As a result, Sea of Stars feels like a game that players might have missed on the SNES or PS1, yet it still possesses its own unique identity.

Sea of Stars is just one example of the increasing number of incredible indie RPGs that have emerged over the past few years. Despite limited resources, these small development teams have managed to create games that rival AAA releases. Last year's standout indie RPG was Chained Echoes, a fantastic retro throwback largely developed by a single person. While also drawing inspiration from the 16 and 32-bit classics, Chained Echoes sets itself apart with its darker tone and mature storyline, creating a distinct experience from Sabotage Studio's latest release.

Sea of Stars and Chained Echoes Share Common 32-Bit Influences

Both Sea of Stars and Chained Echoes, although different in their usage of Legend of Dragoon as inspiration, share a common influence in the underrated PS1 RPG. Developed by Sony's Japan Studio, known for their popular games like Ape Escape and Gravity Rush, Legend of Dragoon garnered both critical acclaim and commercial success before eventually fading into obscurity.

Chained Echoes heavily borrows from Legend of Dragoon's narrative elements and tone, while Sea of Stars incorporates its influence through turn-based battles with real-time commands. Furthermore, Chained Echoes also draws parallels to another PS1 classic, Xenogears, including its use of Yasunori Mitsuda's iconic score. The connection between the two titles is further strengthened by Mitsuda's work on not only Chrono Trigger but also Sea of Stars.

Both Chained Echoes and Sea of Stars Get Classic RPG Gameplay Right

Both Sea of Stars and Chained Echoes offer a challenging gameplay experience that takes inspiration from classic games but also includes some forgiving elements. The focus in both titles is on party management, skill prioritization, and strategic progression. It's crucial for players to carefully allocate stat points to avoid encountering extremely difficult challenges. While these games bring a modern twist to the traditional RPG genre, they don't make the gameplay easier.

As a result, both Sea of Stars and Chained Echoes stay true to their predecessors' foundations while adding enough originality to avoid being considered mere imitations. Despite the release of many AAA RPGs in recent years, these two games demonstrate that the formula of older games still holds appeal, as long as developers effectively incorporate the elements that made them successful. It's true what they say, the classics never go out of style.

Sea of Stars is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.