Unveiling the Enigma: Sea of Stars Review Delivers an Ocean of Surprises!

Sea of Stars, the second offering from developer Sabotage Studio, is a retro-inspired turn-based game that incorporates key elements of a solid RPG experience. This game follows the journey of two Children of the Solstice, who possess the powers of the sun and moon as a result of their birth on a special day. However, alongside this power comes the duty to protect the world from imminent evil threats.

While the RPG beginning may seem somewhat typical, it effectively captivates players, and the story remains fresh with unexpected plot twists and an endearing yet familiar cast of characters. Valere harnesses the power of the moon, while Zale wields the sun's power. Additionally, they can combine their abilities to unleash powerful special attacks. The strategic aspect of combat is heightened by certain enemies being more susceptible to one character's attacks than the other, ensuring dynamic and engaging gameplay throughout.

Using a normal attack instead of a special skill causes fragments of "live mana" to scatter from the enemy, which can be absorbed by party members to enhance the strength of their next attack. It is possible to accumulate up to three pools of live mana, so deciding when, how much, and which ability to utilize it with can significantly influence the outcome of battles. Additionally, enemies often possess a gauge displaying icons representing specific damage types, and employing corresponding attacks will weaken the enemy's subsequent strike or even nullify it entirely. These elements, combined with other factors that comprise combat in Sea of Stars, guarantee that every encounter, regardless of its scale, requires strategic thinking and remains captivating.

The developers of the RPG implemented a clever approach to handling gameplay difficulty in Sea of Stars. Instead of the conventional Easy, Normal, or Hard options at the beginning of the game, players can discover or purchase Relics as they progress. These Relics possess different attributes that can either make the game easier or more challenging. For instance, the Guardian Aura reduces damage taken by 30% while the Sequent Flare provides a visual cue indicating the correct timing for hits or blocks. Players have the freedom to activate or deactivate various Relics as they please, offering a level of difficulty customization that is not commonly seen in games.

The Sequent Flare Relic affects the timing during combat. If the player presses the correct button precisely when an attack or skill lands on the enemy, the damage inflicted will increase or the character will execute an additional strike. Similarly, pressing the button at just the right moment before an enemy attack connects will minimize the amount of damage received.

The game provides a valuable reminder to players that these timing-based elements are simply a bonus and not essential for success. This can be reassuring for players who may be too hard on themselves if they can't achieve it consistently. It's important to note that some misses will occur, and they may not always be the result of a player's error. One particularly challenging instance is when trying to time Serai's Venom Flurry attack. In this move, she leaps into the air and, if the player presses the button at the precise moment she throws her dagger, she will throw it again. However, an issue arises due to the isometric camera angle, as Serai often jumps offscreen, making it extremely difficult to accurately time the button press.

Sea of Stars is an incredibly enjoyable RPG experience, despite a minor gripe. It consistently surprises players by revealing new gameplay mechanics, keeping the experience fresh and exciting. Instead of overwhelming players with all its features at once, Sabotage Studio gradually introduces new aspects like a multi-course meal. This approach ensures a sense of discovery and prevents gameplay from becoming monotonous. While the game would have been satisfying after a few initial features, each new element feels like an unexpected and delightful dessert.

The careful pacing of Sea of Stars extends beyond just the overall game experience. One of its most admirable qualities is the elimination of excessive grinding commonly found in traditional RPGs. The progression of the story, leveling, and enemy difficulty are perfectly balanced, eliminating the need to spend countless hours in one area just to level up or acquire better gear. Unlike in some modern RPGs, enemy difficulty scales appropriately with the characters' levels and loadouts. Upgrading abilities and items remains relevant as it directly impacts encounters, allowing players to return to areas and defeat previously challenging foes with satisfaction.

Similarly, grinding for gold to purchase gear or skills is not necessary. Instead, players can discover new abilities as they progress in the game. Additionally, the placement of dungeons and chests is well-balanced, ensuring that there is always enough funds to buy essential items when encountering a merchant. While there may be some non-essential items, like Relics, that require saving up for, as long as the player avoids unnecessary spending, they will never have to pass up a weapon or armor upgrade due to a shortage of gold.

Sabotage Studio skillfully incorporates RPG elements in Sea of Stars, resulting in a captivating gaming experience. Players can gather ingredients from the environment and prepare meals that restore health or replenish mana. Fishing is also a feature in the game, offering a range of challenging critters to catch and the occasional opportunity to upgrade one's fishing rod. Additionally, players can relax in inns where live bands perform, providing a chance to enjoy the game's delightful soundtrack.

Moreover, Sea of Stars offers terrain traversal and interactive environments. The characters, including Zale, Valere, and the rest of the party, can jump, climb, and swim to navigate through different zones. Exploration is highly rewarding as it often leads to discovering hidden treasures or acquiring important upgrades. Eventually, the adventurers acquire a ship, expanding the game world even further.

Of course, Sea of Stars also includes the necessary RPG elements of puzzle solving, switches, and locked doors that obstruct the path forward. Similar to the rest of the game, these moments are skillfully balanced to provide a moderate level of difficulty without causing frustration. Advancement will rarely, if ever, be impeded by the need to consult an online guide. Players who do not consider themselves proficient in solving puzzles will not be discouraged, while those who enjoy a mental challenge will not be left unsatisfied.

Sea of Stars not only offers rudimentary base building mechanics but also provides an opportunity for the residents of a town to rebuild after a devastating catastrophe. Throughout the game, players can collect a special currency that can be used to purchase building plans, allowing them to add essential structures such as an inn or a fishing hut to their growing homestead. Additionally, the game features a captivating minigame called "Wheels" that could easily stand on its own as a separate release.

In general, Sabotage's retro-inspired RPG is an impressive offering, especially considering that it is only the second project from this budding indie studio. There are numerous aspects of the game that could be elaborated upon, including the soundtrack, story, combat, gameplay, and graphics, all of which are skillfully implemented. Furthermore, the technical aspects of the game are flawless, leaving no room for complaints. Overall, Sea of Stars is a highly enjoyable and well-rounded game that is sure to please any RPG fan.

Sea of Stars is an RPG set in the same world as The Messenger, a popular game from 2018. Drawing inspiration from beloved Japanese classics such as Chrono Trigger, Sabotage Studio brings us a stunning and ambitious addition to the role-playing genre. With its dynamic turn-based combat system and exploration focused on platforming, Sea of Stars offers an enchanting gaming experience.

Sea of Stars releases on August 29, 2023, on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S. Game Rant was provided a PC code for this review.