A 2D turn-based adventure game
Sea of Stars is a premium adventure game developed by Sabotage Studio. In this turn-based RPG, players will be dropped into a world plagued by monsters created by an evil alchemist. They will control two children blessed with mystical powers and put an end to the chaos.
Similar to Octopath Traveler or Chrono Trigger, Sea of Stars boasts of strategic gameplay that requires quick thinking and tactics from players. Inspired by classic titles in the genre, it was also designed with pixel-art graphics and serves as a sort of homage to its predecessors.
Children of the Sun and Moon
Sea of Stars takes place in a mystical world overrun with all kinds of deadly creatures and monstrosities that were summoned by The Fleshmancer, an alchemist. The story follows two Children of the Solstice blessed by the power of the Sun and Moon. Once they combine their gift, they will be able to perform the Eclipse Magic, the only force capable of saving the land.
Thus, begins an adventure across the land as you help the Children of the Solstice master their powers and save the world. The game features engaging turn-based combat that lets you perform multi-character combos and a unique lock system to counter enemy movement and attacks. Meet a wide cast of characters, get to know their stories, and go on quests and experience multiple story arcs.
You’ll also encounter a variety of platforming challenges throughout your journey that will require unique ways of solving and overcoming them. With secret passageways to discover and sprawling paths to check out, exploration can get confusing—especially if you are not used to traversing linearly designed dungeon layouts. Despite that, the intricate design of the dungeons adds a layer of challenge for the player, making them satisfying to complete.
A glimpse of the game’s combat and world
Sabotage Studio has released a demo for Sea of Stars, featuring carefully selected areas that provide players with a snippet of the title’s gameplay and mechanics without spoiling the plot. Apart from exploring a portal-filled dungeon and the pirate-infested Port Town of Brisk, it also lets gamers participate in a fishing mini-game and engage in a boss fight. Depending on the individual, the demo will take around 40 to 60 minutes to complete.
Adapt and strategize
To make things more exciting, the developer has unveiled a luck-oriented strategy mini-game called Wheels to serve as a breather from the rigors of combat and exploration. Created by The Watchmaker, players use two Heroes to reduce their opponent’s crown’s HP to zero, with the slot machine—to some extent—influencing the tide of the match. Still, it all boils down to your flexibility and strategic thinking skills.
This tavern-only game includes two modes: Casual and Champion. The former is easier, helping beginners get acquainted with the mechanics. The latter—on the other hand—grants players rewards for beating the local champion, though they are only obtainable once.
An intriguing homage to the classics
If you grew up playing turn-based RPGs back in the day and want to have a similar experience today, Sea of Stars will do a good job of satisfying that need for nostalgia. It looks great and has an intriguing story with equally interesting gameplay. Hopefully, it comes out sooner rather than later. This is a title worth watching out for.
