Sea of Stars

I’m really surprised that I didn’t enjoy this game and I can’t quite put my finger on it. I went back and forth between whether I recommended it or not and in the end I went with “Yes” as I think it’s a decent and well-made game… It just wasn’t for me. Chrono Trigger is one of my favourite games of all time, and its clear influence on this game cannot be understated. I also enjoyed the other modern 16-bit inspired JRPG Chained Echoes a lot and was looking forward to playing this one. Somehow though, it just didn’t land for me. To start with the positives, the graphics (presuming you love this style) and music were absolutely fantastic. The storyline was overall serviceable was at times a bit text-heavy. Whilst I got the overarching storyline, I often got lost in why I was going to a particular place and what I hoped to achieve at any given moment. Perhaps this is just my attention span and others might enjoy it though. Bonus is that there are some well-animated cutscenes inserted at several points in the game which were fun to watch although admittedly didn’t have the same impact on me that FMVs did in the Final Fantasy games of the late 90s/early 00s. I think the gameplay is what really let the game down for me. It’s a turn-based system where positioning matters (a la Chrono Trigger) and timing-based prompts (most similar to the Mario RPGs) which will influence the damage you deal/take. There are no random battles - all enemies are seen on screen. It’s a system that forces you to pay close attention to battles and recognise enemy patterns rather than mashing the attack button and hoping for the best. Enemies also tend not to respawn easily (I think you have to leave an area entirely and then return to have them respawn) and so grinding is quite difficult to do although mostly unnecessary to complete the game. All of that sounds good on paper but it just didn’t quite click with me. Perhaps I was hoping for a mindless grind to play on the side whilst I watched a new episode of my favourite Netflix show. Maybe the plot and characters just didn’t draw me in enough to care about the progression. Either way, the game just didn’t scratch my turn-based RPG itch.

You can only experience the first time once, so i recommend playing the messange beforehand, it enhances the experience, regardless this game is worth it, couch play was really well implemented if you have someone to play it with, works flawelessly with remote play, amazing art, amazing music, fun gameplay and highly customizable diffculty via the relics system. I give this one a Golden Pelican out of 10, must play.

What a treat this game is. My only complaint is that I want about 200 more hours of content.

[b]Sea of Stars[/b] looks and sounds amazing. Sadly, everything else is... okay at best. Combat is good for about 50% of the game. Then, it gets repetitive and drawn out. Every fight takes forever and progression is non-existent. You end up using pretty much the same set of attacks the entire game. Ultimate skills are pretty bad. I actually liked exploring and climbing but it was too basic, wish they went deeper in that regard. Some puzzles are good, others are bit too easy. It's EXTREMELY linear. From the map progression to actually leveling up. You never get a choice on anything. The story gets better in the second half but it's still... whatever. It's the same played-out stuff but with no plot twist to tie it all together. The [spoiler]Seraí's world[/spoiler] section gets a little bit more interesting. Garl is annoying as f*ck, he single-handedly makes every scene he's in insufferable. He's the "funny sidekick" turned into a Gary Stu, while the two protagonists get no development at all. It looks AMAZING, some of the best retro visuals I've ever seen. Soundtrack's great too. I appreciated the variety of locations. "True ending" is bullsh*t. It may sound like I hated the game but actually, it's... okay, I guess. It's definitely better than the sum of its' parts. [h2]6,5/10[/h2]

Game is very linear and there is nothing much to do in combat. You use the same 3 skills, do the same tactics every fight, no build variety, no sidequests, and pretty much every character have the same gameplay only different elements for breaking. I do not recommend this game if you are into turn based rpg.

Review after rolling credits on Sea of Stars and the free Watchmaker DLC. The main game took about 31 hours and the DLC added about 8 hours, I did not 100% either one. TLDR, this game is very much an homage to the 90's SNES RPG era. It was made by a passionate team that cared about what they were doing and it shows. It is a really good game for those who are into that. So what do I mean by SNES RPG era? There is definite inspiration taken from exploration in Chrono Trigger. You'll explore a big world map and pick out zones to go into and explore in detail. In those zones all of the enemies are clearly visible and you run into them to start combat. Also in combat there are 'team up' combos that you can use with different characters in your party. Its modernized a bit so that you can swap your party around freely and quickly in combat as needed. Another big influence is the combat system from Super Mario RPG for your attacks and blocks. You control by your timing if you crit and if you block an attack. There are also a lot of nods and callbacks to other games from that era that you'll pick up on if you know those games. As for new stuff, in combat an enemy can do a cast over a period of turns and get a defensive buff. When that happens, there are a set of locks that you can respond to with the appropriate element or action to cancel the cast, making them waste their turn. It keeps you paying attention and responding in combat. There is also a lot of story stuff, but no spoilers. If you played The Messenger you know you are in for a ride. One of the modernizations that they went with here is that there is no grinding needed. They seem to have balanced encounters so that you should be able to just flow from one thing to another as long as you are not skipping most of it. This game respects your time better than the older games did. Also the soundtrack is an absolute banger. I do not hear that get called out a lot, but they killed that here. Story wise, it also feels like a 90's era RPG. It is definitely an homage to that era with modern twists and a good sense of humor. No spoilers, but there are a lot of similar beats from Chrono Trigger but flavored in such a way that it is very distinct. This game is also a prequel to the developer's other big game The Messenger. The connections are huge and quickly apparent to anyone who has played both games. It is actually really impressive how well they planned this out so that the story flows so well between both of them. If you have not played The Messenger it is an callback to 'flow based' action platforming games, Ninja Gaiden being the most obvious reference. You do not have to play The Messenger to enjoy this story, and IMO you could play it after this one and have the same impact. The team behind these games clearly loves what they are doing and that comes through. As for support, the game just received a free DLC campaign in May 2025 that can be accessed after finishing the main game. The company behind this has also continued to tweak things based on player feedback since launch. Notably, they smoothed out the beginning of the game's story to make it more interesting a few months ago. They saw a lot of players drop off after a certain point, so they added some extra story scenes to help draw folks in. I was one of those players that dropped off early after launch and those changes helped hook me better the second time around. So in conclusion, Sea of Stars is a very good turn based RPG. I am excited to see where the studio behind this takes it from here.

I bought this game because my little sister told me too, and that I'd like it. I do, as a matter of fact, like it. So, you know, if someone you know tells you to do something, you just gotta do it.

The highlight of Sea of Stars are the aesthetics - the environments are stunning and characters and enemies nicely designed. The soundtrack is mostly well done. The gameplay itself is kind of standard for a turn-based RPG with the gimmick being you have some control while attacking/defending to do things like enhance block/attack damage. The story is pretty standard as well too. All in all, I'd recommend it on sale.

Sea of Stars on Steam stands out as a masterful homage to classic JRPGs, seamlessly blending nostalgic pixel art with modern storytelling and gameplay mechanics. From the moment you dive into its vibrant world, you're greeted with beautifully crafted pixel environments that evoke the golden era of 16-bit RPGs, yet infused with contemporary animation and visual effects that bring the world to life. The game’s art style strikes a perfect balance between retro charm and fresh, detailed design, creating a lush, immersive environment filled with diverse locales, from lush forests and bustling towns to mysterious dungeons and open seas. The soundtrack complements this aesthetic beautifully, with a sweeping orchestral score that heightens the sense of adventure and emotional weight, making every moment feel both epic and intimate. Gameplay in Sea of Stars centers around turn-based combat that feels fluid and strategic, emphasizing timing, positioning, and unique character abilities. The game introduces innovative mechanics like combo attacks and elemental interactions that encourage players to experiment with different strategies for each encounter. The combat system is deep yet accessible, allowing newcomers to enjoy the mechanics while rewarding more experienced players with complex tactical options. The game also features a compelling progression system, where players can customize their party members' skills and equipment, unlocking new abilities and playstyles as they explore. Exploration is rewarded through a variety of side quests, hidden secrets, and lore-rich environments that encourage curiosity and reward attentive players with rich storytelling and character development. The narrative of Sea of Stars is a standout aspect, offering a heartfelt and well-crafted story that delves into themes of friendship, destiny, and sacrifice. The writing is sharp, often infused with humor, emotional depth, and moments of introspection, making the characters feel relatable and multi-dimensional. The game’s pacing balances moments of intense combat with quieter, story-driven segments, allowing players to connect with the characters and the world they inhabit. The game also features beautifully animated cutscenes that enhance key story moments, adding a cinematic quality that elevates the overall experience. The lore is rich and layered, providing a sense of history and depth to the game's universe, encouraging players to piece together clues and immerse themselves in the story's unfolding mysteries. One of the most impressive aspects of Sea of Stars is its tight level design and world-building. Each area feels thoughtfully crafted, with environmental puzzles, interactive NPCs, and lore snippets that deepen the player's understanding of the game's universe. The game’s pacing ensures that players remain engaged without feeling overwhelmed, offering a steady stream of discoveries, battles, and story revelations. The game’s difficulty curve is well-balanced, providing a satisfying challenge that tests strategic thinking without feeling punishing. The soundtrack, sound effects, and voice acting (where present) all work harmoniously to create an immersive auditory experience, further drawing players into this beautifully realized world. While Sea of Stars is largely a triumph, some players might find certain side quests or exploration elements a bit formulaic or optional to the core story, which could lead to a slightly repetitive feel if pursued excessively. Additionally, although the game aims for broad accessibility, some players may find the combat mechanics or puzzle elements challenging initially, requiring patience and experimentation. Technical performance is smooth overall, with minimal bugs or glitches, and the developers’ attention to detail is evident in the polished presentation and well-crafted user interface. Overall, Sea of Stars is a remarkable tribute to the JRPG genre, capturing its essence while infusing it with new life through refined gameplay, compelling storytelling, and stunning visuals. It appeals to both nostalgic fans of classic titles and newcomers seeking a heartfelt adventure brimming with exploration, strategic combat, and memorable characters. Its blend of old-school aesthetics and modern design makes it a standout title that promises dozens of hours of engaging gameplay and emotional resonance, cementing its position as a must-play for RPG enthusiasts and adventure lovers alike. Rating: 9/10

Im a big fan of pixel-like RPG's and i gotta say this game is an amazing rpg that takes a lot of inspiration from games like Chrono Trigger and Super Mario RPG! The art of this game is absolutely PHENOMENAL i'd say its the best thing of this game. Art direction and even the monster designs/characters are just so good!!! Battle System is very Super Mario RPG like with the timed attacks but honestly its quite simple and i like it for that! Story wise it starts a lil slow but it eventually picks up end ends up being a decent story. Not anything groundbreaking but good enough to get through the game. The SOUNDTRACK of this game is so good!!! I love that they brought in Yatsunori Mitsuda into this too since hes done songs from the Xeno series! The game overall had a decent pacing aside from a rushed ending i guess? The DLC on the other hand is amazing aside from the fact that the dungeons on that feel like they drag a lil too long but its still more of Sea of Stars and its was fun to play through regardless!!! Great JRPG honestly!!!

I wanted to like this game so bad after dropping it back in 2023. 2 years later I came back and completed everything in the base game including the true ending. After 40 hours, I can say confidently that I have zero interest in playing the DLC. Story 3/10 (EDIT: 2/10) Story starts off 'cute', but never really evolves pass that. The characters are incredibly one dimensional and bland and never develop. I mean this with every single character in this game. EDIT: I had some time reflecting the true ending, and I think I was being GENEROUS with giving this game's story a 3. The true ending completely solidified my thought that the team desperately needs to hire a writing team. Music 7/10 No comment here. Lots of bangers and one of the games strong points. Visuals 9/10 The redeeming quality for this game. The visuals are stunning, and is what drew me to it in the first place. Gameplay 4/10 I played with the Tactician's Mettle relic on (this is the game's toggleable 'challenge' difficulty) and everything else disabled. There is so little skill expression and customization in this game. Find a piece of equipment? Well, 4 ATK is higher than 2 ATK. The equipment lacks any depth, each character only has 3 skills and an ultimate (with only one of the six worth using). The visual and sound cues for the QTE are not clear and define. Why aren't there more interesting trinkets that change gameplay like ones that increases the damage or timing window of specific skills (i.e. Moonstone Bracer & Celestial Ray)? Instead, we get bland trinkets that 'increase max HP by 15.' Why are the party trinkets such a no-brainer equipment slot and why are there so few of them? Why do 4 out of the 6 ultimates not have any secondary effects? So many questionable decisions from the dev team from a balancing perspective. Much like the story, the gameplay barely evolves over the course of the game. Fun for the first 10 hours. Overall 4.5/10 Sea of Stars is disappointing. Not to say its a bad game - its just incredibly mid. There was so much potential for it to be good, but unfortunately, just misses.

Very linear game. There wasn't a wide variety of different attacks or strategies in combat. It just dragged towards the end. The story was very uninspired. Very uninteresting characters. This is definitely a game for children.

This game might be great, or at least good. It is an audiovisual feast with very lovingly made art, sound, and music. The writing and story are quite dull, but I did not play for long. I have rarely been so turned off by a game so quickly with all the other things that make me want to give it a shot. It's got some timing-based actions in turn-based combat, which could be fine! I'm cool with it, I like Super Mario RPG and other games like it. That said, they feel terrible. I love rhythm games. I love timing-based mechanics. The problem is, this game has completely arbitrary-feeling timings and very limited indications of when attacks will come. Some have tremendously long wind-ups, some feel nearly instantaneous. Sometimes an enemy will "charge" you, thinking you should press the reaction button, but it's just a fake-out, it's _really_ going to hit you in a half of a second. With more animation frames or something consistent to rely upon, it could be more fun, but the delays between wind-ups and hits make me consistently press the button too early. The game insists in its tutorial that you'll get the hang of it. I did not get the hang of it, and given that I don't re-encounter enemies often, even if I got the hang of it with some enemies, who knows what's next. I could turn on the "story mode difficulty" settings, but then there really isn't much to the combat. The lock-breaking mechanic seems interesting in theory, but in practice it just feels like randomness, especially with the hidden things. Maybe I'll get it, maybe I won't. If I don't, I guess I should feel bad. If the story grabbed me with something really exciting, I'd flip all the story mode options on, but it didn't. That would be my brief experience with the game. I felt bad and didn't want to keep playing.

Very charming art style and characters! The story feels natural so far with twists that I both did and did not expect. I am not a huge fan of turn-based RPG's, but this one's charms and easy to understand gameplay make it easy to understand. I wish there was a tiny bit more freedom to explore different parts of the map once you do unlock it, but in universe it makes sense how you can only access certain areas at certain times. Overall I would highly recommend this game if you are just getting into RPG's, or just looking for a nice game to play in your free time!

This game feels like what it claims to be: a throwback to the 90's JRPGs. The soundtrack is wonderful and has a nostalgic feel while being completely original. The story is relatively simple in its delivery and is honestly greater than the sum of it's parts for it. The combat feels just as much at home in the 90's as it does in the modern era of the turn based RPGs of today. The artwork never forgets that it's supposed to mimic what the SNES games of yesteryear looked like while taking full advantage of what modern hardware is capable of with pixel art. The cut scenes are the only thing that really feel out of place but even then, they are a PS1-esque welcome addition. I could keep going but I'd rather you just pick up the game. It's absolutely worth every penny.

Very reminisce of my childhood and playing Chrono Trigger and Lunar. Updated for an older more modern audience that can't grind to much. I played about an hour or so a night and always ended each play session having experienced some new element of the story or feeling like I had progressed in some side activity. I really enjoyed playing it through to the True Ending.

Haters have unresolved trauma and don't play games to enjoy them, but rather to be validated or gratified. If a beautifully, elegantly and neatly put together game does not bring you joy by the simple immersion and imaginative world, than get a barebones competition game. I've seen ppl (with a clear skill issue) complain about the timing mechanic, you can turn off, or automate for half the bonus, and honestly the trickiness of getting the timings right, combined with the super smooth sprite work, and very flowy satisfying character manipulation, and even the beauty of how normal gender roles aren't even a reality. I enjoy the world, the characters, and the game play a lot. so far 8.9/10 !!

Simply love this game. go in blind if you would like a surprise. If anyone picks this up, recommend using a controller.

Trying to decide whether I would recommend this game or not is a difficult question. The graphics of the game are gorgeous, and there's a variety of different characters and a wide range of story ideas throughout the game - some that I weren't expecting. It was entertaining, and there's a lot about this game I did enjoy. However, the combat, it's the same all the way through, nothing really progresses. You get new characters, with new abilities, but underneath it all, it's the same. I found myself going through the motions in fights. It would be a rotation of attack with whatever I could use, whether it was a standard attack, a special, or a combo, then I'd heal, and repeat. It started to wear my down because I didn't really need to think about it. Towards the end it felt like there was a lot of story elements smashed together, and the experience began to feel like a chore. My feelings are definitely mixed towards this game because I did love the vibe of the game, just not so much the execution.

I feel like this game was made with love and care, the music and art work might be some of the best I've ever seen. I really enjoy how challenging combat can be and especially love all the boss battles, especially their designs. Most boss' have some kind of gimmick that needs to be accounted for and I think that in general is great design. What is surprising is the Zelda like platforming, I thought it was really a breath of fresh air in a way to have that in a JRPG with turn based combat. It really breaks up the pace and allows you to enjoy the environment. I also really like the pacing of the game, it doesn't allow you to get too powerful too quickly and each fight matters, which forces me to account for the resources in my inventory, so I need to manage my resources which is something I would expect to do on a long arduous journey no? It makes me feel like every item I find matters and that nothing is useless and has a use case scenario. Did I mention the boss music as well? honestly it's been such a treat so far. The only cons which I don't think distract from the game, instead If I was to iterate on it would be - A more mature story I'm sure a lot of us are familiar that this is heavily inspired by Chrono trigger and the themes that were tackled in Chrono trigger were way more mature but as a child I still understood the gist of the situation and it was their tragedy and trauma that allowed us to really connect with the cast in that game, in which case they were all memorable in their own way. The game was quite bleak and dark in certain aspects and I think it was a good contrast to the hope and aspirations of the characters aim to try and save the world and the context it gave the characters allowed us to connect with them more. - More Puzzles. Like I said earlier, I think the puzzle elements were a neat touch and I think having a little more complexity would have gone a long way. Perhaps add a hint feature if you're scared about people not getting it at all (like the toggle for hard and normal mode). The Zelda oracle of time and seasons series is a good example of puzzle design even though the game is marketed for youth. -Linear gameplay and story (apparently, I've only just gotten free roam with the ship so i can't comment that it is the case, i"ve just gauged this opinion from comments below) To be honest, I don't mind linearity because honestly if it means that the pacing and gameplay become out of wack because I over leveled, I'd rather have a steady challenge during the main narrative. I wouldn't know where to look for good inspiration when it comes to non linear jrpgs done well as I don't really frequent the genre as much as I used to when I was younger though that being said, part of the reason a lot of us like Chrono trigger is that even saving the main character is almost a side quest, on top of all the side quests that are there. You can even have Frog fight Magus and that effects the stories ending. Even FF6 as well, a lot of the content becomes optional at some point as well. I think it allows for player agency, a way to shape the story in their own way. Do I save Chrono or do I fight Lavos straight away? Do I opt for a super challenging fight? A player can infer the reasons as to why and when certain decisions are made Also as a side tangent, the thing about side quests that they should only be included if they matter and in Chrono Trigger and FF6, you felt that they did, which makes you feel like it isn't a side quest. Honestly, it's quite interesting to look back and think how innovative the story telling was and how in influenced the game play. Over all, I really recommend the game, It's really great, don't let my critiques put you off, these are just ideas I would think about if I was to iterate on an already beautiful game

I write this review only caus I saw a few gamers complain bout difficulty and/or repetetive fights. Play this game with 30% more dmg taken and enemy more def during casting + no item use in battle! It is a blast! Pros (my personal opinion): x Even standard enemy encounters can wipe you. x Understanding game mechanics can let you clear fights easy though (as long you have enough mp) x Using your cooking and refilling your mana and hp outside of battles is mandatory x Co-op is hardcore and requires communication x finding treasure feels rewarding x secrets are managable without online guides x you can change different game mechanics anytime, so dont worry bout get stuck or get bored. Cons: x All characters have their set of skills. You cant do different builds or experiment alot. x Even if you can focus on a certain stat like magATK, every level up leaves you only 4choices and there is a max amount of times you can choose a single statLVup. Again, less build freedom. Dont know how endgame will be, but will change this review according to new xp I gather.

For those who are looking for co-op games, and enjoy traditional RPGs, this game is definitely worth a try. The main sell for me is local co-op, and this game does a really good job making sure an RPG game doesn't feel single player. Both players explore together / do puzzles together, and combat allows each player to choose the character to use so timing/moves don't become stale. We're having a lot of fun with this game! As an RPG this game has good bones. The timing-based combat keep players engaged and learning new mechanics, story is great (characters are fantastic), and the progression of difficulty is both noticeable and enjoyable. Several aspects of the game are nostalgic of classic RPG games. Overall, this game has been very easy to enjoy. And it's clearly family friendly: I could see this being enjoyable for younger siblings, parents+children, or just couples looking for a casual/fun experience. 8.6/10

Another great game from Sabotage! The graphics are awesome, the controls are great, everything is great :)

Fantastic JRPG. The story starts off weak, but later on becomes deep and interesting. Gameplay is strong the whole team.

The story is phenomenal! While the game *can* get grind-y, it more than makes up for it with its artwork.

I love just about everything about this game. Beautiful art, exploration, puzzles, strategic combat mechanics, collectibles, engaging story, lovable characters, tons of achievements, multiple endings. It's just perfect.

yeah the plot is a bit predictable and the two main characters are more shallow than they should be but overall this is still a very good game

Sea of Stars offers a truly captivating experience, highlighted by its beautifully vibrant, cozy, and calming graphics. The dialogue is thoughtful, genuinely emotional, and often quite funny. This complements the game's serious, deep, and sometimes heartbreaking themes beautifully. The contrast makes the sad parts more powerful and memorable. The soundtrack is a banger, with the boss tracks being especially memorable. The plot is engaging and well-paced, managing to be compelling without becoming overly convoluted. The animated cutscenes are a visual treat. The combat system is engaging enough to remain consistently interesting throughout. Overall, Sea of Stars delivers a thoroughly engaging and memorable experience.

Just an absolute delight if you like turn-based RPGs a la old-school style. The story is simple but endearing, the dialogue witty but nothing flashy, the art style and music top-tier. Set for a good time if you just want something close to what we once had.

this game is just absolute peak rpg. the flow of the story feels normal, the pixel art is just stunning, and the gameplay is so much fun. I beat it on gamepass and im replaying it on steam. once you pick it up you refuse to put it down until you beat the game. even then there's still a lot of do after beating it. if you love rpgs play this IMMEDIATELY

Yes, I encourage people to play this game. 1st ) By far this is my favorite game to play on my Steam Deck, the its easy on the battery, the eyes and plays so very well that its my favorite couch game at this point. 2nd) The story and the game play are great, the writing gets you rooting for the right characters, understanding the motives at the start and then how they grow deep and complex as you play the game has some of the best writing I've seen on a game since Baldur's Gate II and better than BG3. 3rd) The combat, is more than just selecting your attack type, makes you think and order your attacks and when you fail, the game is not overly punishing but you will lose a few encounters on normal chalange mode but not bad. The music, some say is great but I think the flute hits some of those high notes at the start a little much and almost painfully but as the game moves on so does the music tracks and over all I'd say its far better than not even considering music can be subjective from person to person.

This game is a labor of love, and it shows. I felt nostalgic for a time I didn't even live through the whole time I was playing. Do yourself a favor, if you like JRPGs, play this game.

This game rocks. It's got all the old-school SNES/PSX JRPG mojo, but updated with gobs of modern polish and quality-of-life improvements. Very Chrono Trigger / Chrono Cross inspired, but at the same time unique. Such a gem. GREAT GAMEPLAY Moving around and exploring is fun in and of itself with lots of things to climb up, jump off, and otherwise parkour over. No random battles, as you can see enemies moving about (Chrono-style) and even try to ambush them for an advantage in the fight. The battle system offers a fresh approach to standard turn-based JRPG combat with a surprising level of strategy and sophistication. As a huge SRPG fan, I'm quite impressed at what they pulled off here. There are settings to make the game's difficulty more hardcore or casual, depending on your preference, though the standard option is very well balanced. Even the item system is clever and unique, since you actually cook food items at camp sites using ingredients you forage on your adventures. So cool. ZERO GRIND Another top shelf touch, there's basically no grind. And that alone is a so far outside the JRPG box as to be practically transdimensional. If you want to find everything in the game, you will need to do a bit of running around through areas you already completed, but that's really the only grind to be found, and it's purely optional. There's also a "New Game +" feature, because of course there is (duh), and you can skip cut scenes and even the entire opening tutorial section of the game at will. Gotta love devs who respect your time. EPIC STORY, ART, AND MUSIC The story is engaging and original. The art is luscious and studded with epic anime cut scenes. And the beautiful soundtrack at times even reminds me of the great Yasunori Mitsuda, who composed for both Chrono games back in the day. OMG, THERE'S COOP And on top of all that, this game is coop. OMG. A genuine, bona fide, couch coop JRPG for up to three players. I played Secret of Mana and Final Fantasy III (VI) with my best friend back in middle school, and it was one of the best gaming experiences of my life. Now I'm playing Sea of Stars with my son, and we're loving every second of it. This game is an achievement. But the coop feature is a gift. Huge, huge thanks to Sabotage Studios for adding this in. So thoughtful. ONE QUIBBLE My only quibble is the timing-based system in the fights, where you have to press X (I'm using a Dualshock controller) in time with attacks to do bonus damage or block enemies. I mean, it doesn't matter if you miss the timing since it's just a bonus thing. So it's not a big deal either way. But when I play an RPG, I just wanna set up my strategy and not stress over getting the timing right. Especially with attacks like Moonarang, where you're bouncing a magic hadouken off multiple targets via the timing mechanic. Get it right, and you wreck every enemy on the screen. Make one mistake early on, and the spell is basically wasted. I don't really like that. But others may love it. Anyway, it's literally my only complaint, and its a fairly minor one. With coop, everyone gets to pitch in on timing, so it's actually easier and more fun than solo. SEA OF STARS ROCKS As a veteran of all the old school JRPGs and SRPGs who has "saved the world" a million times over, I have to say this game somehow manages to feel fresh and nostalgic at the same time. It's so awesome. Sea of Stars is a gorgeous and engaging evolution of the JRPG genre, built on the classics, yet rich with innovation all its own. It's rad solo, and totally epic with a homie at your side. Definitely check it out.

Very good game. The pixel art is BEAUTIFUL. I love the "locks" mechanic that allows you to stop an attack before it happens. Really fun when you see the amount of locks and immediately think it is impossible, only to figure out a really cool way to barely break them all.

Great visuals, great gameplay, and tons of charm. Fantastic game!

Story, gameplay, music is great. A true ode to Chrono Trigger

base game is beyond worth it, beautifully nostalgic, has some crazy difficulty spikes, but nothing that can't be overcome. achieving the true ending unlocks arguably my favorite easter egg ever. Throes of the watchmaker is insanely difficult. Absolutely wild how much harder the DLC is, at times, turn the easy mode relics on and still possibly fail hard.

Sea of Stars has been an incredible experience. The story is thoughtfully crafted and deeply immersive, the visuals are stunning, and the gameplay feels smooth and satisfying. I honestly don’t have a single complaint about it. Still need to dive into the DLC and hunt down all the achievements. Highly recommended for anyone who loves indie games and rich, story-driven character development!

NICE INDIE GAME!!! The battle system, the story, definitely the developer can do more with the story or maybe start a sequel about it and i like to play it. simply recommended for you who want to play turn base rpg!

Me encanta este juego, es algo que claramente recomendaría. Personalmente ha sido una agradable experiencia a diferencia de otros títulos rpg por turnos que he jugado.

Played this game when it came out on Switch. You can see and appreciate the level of detail, care and thought that went into crafting this ode to classic RPGs like Chrono Trigger. It's a hell of a game that just falls a bit short, imo, in the story department. Intead of a 9 it's an 8. Don't let that dissuade you of trying and enjoying this badass game. I just wish some of the writing of the messenger was here.

Sea of Stars is a near flawless game with one considerable setback. The pixel art is is beautiful, music is full of bangers, and the story is engaging for the most part. Combat becomes more dynamic as the game progresses and only gets better as the hours pass. This is some of my favorite turn-based action, especially as more characters and moves are introduced. That being said, there is a major pacing issue. The first ten hours are full of cutscenes and dialogue to the point that it seems like the game would not let me play it. There were multiple moments where the momentum was brought to a screeching hault for a fetch quest or side mission. I truly enjoyed Sea of Stars when it would let me play,mthough. Out of the 45 hours put into getting the true ending, about ten could be cut for a more concise experience.

This was definitely a top tier game, well worth the price. Plus the DLC was free and to do everything took me about 10 hours so it was money well spent.

I have really enjoyed this game. The mechanics are fun and the story is good. I just played the DLC and I enjoyed it. Only issue i have had is that my save files got corrupted. I was able to find a work around on Reddit and got my save files back.

Sea of Stars was a blast from beginning to end! Everything about it was great! The combat system is simple and very fun to engage with, the difficulty is just right, and if you feel it is too hard, it's possible to change that, so anyone can get their fun with it. The story was interesting. I'm not too much of a story type player, but I liked it, the twist, the mysteries, the build ups and so on. Pixel arts was always something I enjoyed, but the details in this game are crazy. This is REALLY BEAUTIFUL, and lot of diversity too when it comes to areas Let's also add that they made a DLC, which is free and is also amazing to play (cool story, new classes, more areas that looks amazing...) Totally recommend playing it!!

Completed the true ending and I'm chasing down the last few achievements, about to play the DLC. This is the best game I've played maybe ever. Certainly worth giving it a shot.

Just like Chrono Trigger / Secret of Mana but still almost better in every which way. you will love it.

Words cannot explain how peak this game is. Getting 100% achievements + playing the DLC made me hit the "it's cinema" pose so many times my elbows hurt. I wish I had the Men in Black memory removal thingie to replay The Messenger and this game every year.

A Great Game from such a Great Company. Sad to say that games like this are not popular as Looking at other's people comments saying that the game play is bad is false. People just don't get old school gaming nowadays. Anyway this game is Great Storyline is immersive and Easy to follow with great rewarding cutscenes at main plotpoints of the game. The free dlc also added a LOT to this game in terms to its connection to the messenger 9/10 game. why 9/10 because I will admit the story at the end kinda falls flat. once you reach the fated hour you start getting less lore and more items for the final area. its good but wish there were more lore reveals at the end.

Sea of stars is a 2024 version of Chrono Trigger. You can see the subtle and not so subtle nods to this as you progress through the game. You will identify with the characters, you will be invested in the outcome. Knowing that this was a kickstarter game makes this even more special. Sometimes these games actually get made and done very well. Played through a second time and I am about to try out the new FREE DLC. Sabotage Studio, please make more games in this universe. I see endless potential here and I would love everything about it. TAKE MY MONEY