Sea of Stars

Sea of Stars is an upcoming role-playing video game by Sabotage Studio. This game is set to be released on August 29, 2023. It will be available for macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Windows

Storyline

Sea of Stars is a turn-based role-playing game (RPG) inspired by the classics. Dozens of original characters and story arcs will take you on a captivating journey. Sometimes epic, sometimes silly, and other times emotional, Sea of Stars does its RPG duty of exploring classic themes of adventure and friendship, while also being chock-full of the unexpected twists and events you’d expect from a Sabotage production.

Embark on a journey of peril and wonder as a Solstice Warrior. It tells the story of two Children, named Valerie and Zale, of the Solstice who will combine the powers of the sun and moon to perform Eclipse Magic, the only force capable of fending off the monstrous creations of the evil alchemist known as The Fleshmancer.

Sea of Stars – Nintendo Direct 2.8.2023

Gameplay

Sea of Stars aims to modernise the classic RPG in terms of turn-based combat, storytelling, exploration and interactions with the environment, while still offering up a world of nostalgia.

Pressing the action button in sync with the animations increases damage output while reducing incoming damage. Along with timed hits, combat features multi-character combo attacks, boosting, and a strategic “locks” system offering options to play with different damage types in order to hinder enemies while they are channelling powerful attacks or spells, all in an immersive take on the genre.

Gameplay includes elements of puzzle-solving and turn-based combat, with players able to control up to six player characters.The game is inspired by role-playing games such as Illusion of Gaia, Breath of Fire, and Chrono Trigger and features sailing mechanics, side quests, and combat focused around finding the “elemental weaknesses” of enemies. Sea of Stars is located in the same setting as The Messenger, but is set thousands of years before the events of the latter game.

There are many ways to hang out in the world of Sea of Stars if you feel the need for a change of pace in your adventures. Swim, climb, vault, jump off or hoist up ledges. Or you can even go sailing, cooking, fishing, stopping by a tavern to listen to a song or play the infamous tabletop game known as “Wheels”.

As fully fledged Solstice Warriors you will eventually get full control over the sun and moon, so whether you just want to chill in your favourite area in the ambiance of your choice, need to solve a complex puzzle related to lighting, or there is a magic door that only opens at midnight, the control will be yours, all in real time.

Features

Engaging turn-based combat. Timed hits, combo attacks, boosting, damage types and spell breaking. With no random encounters, no transitions to separate battlefields, and no grinding.
Unshackled traversal. Traverse seamlessly through the world with a navigation system based on platformer expertise that breaks free from the classic bound-to-the-grid tileset movement.
A story rich adventure. Dozens of characters and story arcs will take you on a captivating journey.
A world you can touch. Offering many exciting areas for you to explore.
Full-on dynamic lighting. Therefore things such as day and night cycles, weather effects, eclipses or blood moons all happen seamlessly, recoloring the world and rendering shadows.

Development

Continuing on the Sabotage journey of developing games that blend retro aesthetics and modern game design, Sea of Stars was announced on March 19, 2020, with an expected release date set for 2022. Sabotage intended to develop an RPG that was more ambitious than their other game ‘The Messenger’.

Creative director Thierry Boulanger said that Sabotage wanted to expand and tell a new story in the same game world, using a new genre unlike the metroidvania style of the first game. This game includes six characters and exploration that differs from the linear nature of The Messenger. The game is being scored by Eric W. Brown with additional tracks from Chrono Trigger composer Yasunori Mitsuda. In February 2023, Sabotage announced an August release.