Unlocking the secret magic of Sea of Stars' captivating wheel minigame

Minigames have always played a significant role in narrative titles, adding depth and entertainment to the gaming experience. Sea of Stars introduces its own unique minigame called Wheels, joining a distinguished list of popular minigames such as Eso'wa from Star Ocean, Gwent from Witcher, and Triple Triad from Final Fantasy. These minigames not only provide enjoyable diversions but also contribute to the immersive worldbuilding and storytelling within the game.

Wheels, the minigame in Sea of Stars, serves as a captivating pastime for players while also offering insights into the rich history and expansive world of this indie retro-inspired RPG. The game is intricately connected to the game's universe, showcasing the complex machinery used to play and further enhancing the overall gaming experience.

A Wheels set contains clockwork contraptions placed in different objects such as a bar table or a barrel. On each player's side, there is room for two miniatures and five spinning wheels. Four wheels are integrated into the table, while the fifth one is carried by the player. Symbols on the wheels provide energy for units or the Bulwark, a defensive barrier that shields the player from certain direct attacks. Similar to dice in Yahtzee, the wheels are spun three times, allowing players to lock in desired results for the best selection of symbols to either attack or defend against the opponent's hidden spins.

In addition to this, Wheels offers more complexity through its diverse miniatures representing fantasy heroes (such as the Archer Mage, Warrior, Assassin, Priest, Engineer, etc.), which can level up during each match. The game also includes the opportunity to enhance the player's unique wheel by overcoming a tavern's champion. Nevertheless, the core concept of head-to-head Yahtzee remains accessible. With these foundational principles, players can approach Wheels with various strategies, from brute force to meticulously planned clockwork sieges.

Wheels, a fantasy battler in Sea of Stars, combines tactical thinking with gameplay elements reminiscent of Horizon's Machine Strike. Players have the opportunity to strategically level up their units, deploying Knights to overpower Bulwarks and using Mages to unleash rare and devastating spells. Alternatively, some players may choose to focus exclusively on their Mage units. Others may adopt a defensive approach, employing Priests and Bulwarks to their advantage. The game's intricate mechanics offer a variety of playing styles within the clockwork tables of Sea of Stars' bars.

The inclusion of Engineers in Wheels' lineup of archetypes, alongside archers and mages, is an unusual but significant aspect of Sea of Stars' world. Boulanger, in a recent interview with Game Rant, explained that this connection stems from the mysterious creator of Wheels, known as the Watchmaker.

According to Boulanger, the Watchmaker possesses an extraordinary talent for her craft. She is able to capture the magic in the air and infuse it into the parts she uses to construct her clockwork creations. She is not simply a skilled artisan, but a true magician in this regard. Continuously working, she even built a fortress where time stands still. While she is not technically immortal, as she would age if she were to leave the fortress, she has remained there and dedicated herself to her work for countless years.

At some point, however, the Watchmaker decided to take a break in her immortal life. As a result, she invented a tabletop board game and created add-ons that can be installed on any surface, such as tables or barrels. These add-ons transform the surface into a miniature world, becoming the latest sensation among enthusiasts.

Without delving further into the background of the Watchmaker or the inhabitants of Sea of Stars, Wheels portrays a culture that values advanced clockwork games of strategy accompanied by a leisurely drink. It also introduces an enigmatic game maker who possesses remarkable skill, reputation, and resources, consistently crafting and dispatching intricate Wheels game boards across the world seemingly on a whim. Additionally, there is an intriguing mention of a peculiar, ageless clockwork castle hidden somewhere in the Solstice Warriors' archipelago.

Regarding the likelihood of players encountering the elusive Watchmaker, Boulanger hinted at the possibility.

"She possesses a certain superstar quality and isn't easily approachable, you know," he remarked. "There's a rumor going around that you might have the opportunity to confront the Watchmaker. However, it's important to note that this is mere speculation."

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