Sea of Stars
A nostalgic RPG
Sea of Stars caught my attention a year ago, when it was announced that it would be available in the PlayStation Plus Extra game catalog at launch. I downloaded it after launch and added it to my backlog, but I kept putting it off, anticipating a lengthy playtime and significant grinding. Ironically, I continued to play other games with more grinding and longer playtimes…
Fast-forward a year, and it was announced that it would be leaving PlayStation Plus. I panicked; firstly because where had the time gone! But also it meant I only had little over a week to play it before it was gone, and I really wanted to.
So I cleared my schedule and powered through it.
Sea of Stars is a throwback to classic turn-based RPGs, with a charming story, engaging combat, and simple puzzles. The art style is gorgeous, with vibrant colors and detailed environments that evoke an appropriate sense of nostalgia for the 16-bit era. Everything feels retro, but with enough modern sensibilities so it doesn’t feel dated.
It was created by Sabotage, “an indie video game studio that specializes in games with retro aesthetics and modern game design.” I don’t have experience with their previous games, but I was impressed by the quality of Sea of Stars. The attention to detail and the care put into the game’s design are evident throughout.
The game moves at a brisk clip, and I breezed through it and didn’t have any trouble finishing it in time. I used some of the relics to make the game easier, but it was still well-balanced and provided just the right amount of challenge for me without being punishing. The combat system felt fresh and struck a balance between accessibility and depth. Although the battles weren’t overly challenging, they offered a variety of strategic choices to keep me engaged. I enjoyed experimenting with different party compositions and abilities as I progressed through the game.
The soundtrack is a standout feature, perfectly complementing the game’s nostalgic vibe. The primary composer is Eric W. Brown, with a handful of tracks composed by Yasunori Mitsuda, who worked on Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross. The music fits the game’s tone perfectly, enhancing the overall experience.
I really appreciated how the game respected my time. The story progresses at a satisfying pace, and the mechanics are intuitive and streamlined. It’s refreshing to play an RPG that doesn’t demand countless hours of grinding or backtracking. There were some mini-games (like the fishing) that I didn’t bother with, and some side quests that I didn’t finish, but I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything. I never felt lost, confused about where I was supposed to go next, or like I was wasting my time.
Also, kudos to Sabotage for creating a family-friendly game. My kids watched me play quite a bit, and they really got into it. It was fun to share the experience with them and introduce them to a genre they have never seen before.
While Sea of Stars may not reinvent the wheel, it did a great job executing familiar elements with finesse. The developers have crafted a game that celebrates the best aspects of classic RPGs while adding their own unique flair, and I’m excited to see what’s next from Sabotage.