Sea of Stars: The Review

Sea of Stars: The Review

Score: 9 out of 10

Overview: "Sea of Stars is a stellar homage to classic JRPGs, delivering an enchanting blend of nostalgia and modern design. Its vibrant pixel art, deep turn-based combat system, and memorable characters keep you hooked from start to finish. The story weaves together heartfelt moments with epic, high-stakes adventure, all backed by a beautifully orchestrated soundtrack. While it doesn't reinvent the genre, the game excels in its execution, offering a polished, immersive experience that feels both fresh and familiar. Sea of Stars is a must-play for fans of retro-inspired RPGs and one of our favourite games of the past few years"

Note: On November 12th, a free update called "Dawn of Equinox" will be releasing for all platforms and will be introducing Local Co-Op and a bunch of fan-requested additions. In Spring 2025, the game will also be receiving a free DLC called "Throes of the Watchmaker".

The Positives

• Sea of Stars is, visually, a gorgeous game that perfectly blends a nostalgic retro look with a more modern flair. The art style shines in making the game stand apart from other games from the same genre and it brings the characters and locations alive with the use of vibrant colors;
• The soundtrack of the game is also a strong point in favour of it, with a collections of beautifully composed tracks created by Eric W. Brown and Yasunori Mitsuda that bring a special touch to every area in the game;
• We don't know where to begin when it comes to praising the game's story. The story is a clear standout filled with heartfelt moments and surprising twists, while also introducing its villains, magic, and the stakes of the world in a very natural manner without feeling we are being completely overwhelmed with exposition;
• The characters in Sea of Stars are memorable and well-developed, each bringing unique personalities and backstories that enrich the game’s narrative. The protagonists, Valere and Zale, are distinct in both their abilities and their emotional journeys, making their adventure feel personal and impactful. Supporting characters like Garl and Serai add depth to the world, often revealing more about the lore and their own backstories during campfire conversations or key story moments. Their personalities and unique dynamics with the protagonists help build a strong emotional connection throughout the journey;
• The level and world design of Sea of Stars is a standout feature, blending nostalgic pixel art with modern design elements. Each area feels meticulously crafted, with visually distinct environments that range from lush forests to intricate dungeons. Exploration is rewarding, with hidden secrets, puzzles, and interactable elements that add depth to the experience. The dynamic lighting and attention to detail bring the world to life, while the clever use of verticality and seamless transitions between locations create a sense of immersion and scale that enhances the overall adventure;
• Sea of Stars features a rich variety of enemies that enhances combat engagement. Each area introduces unique foes with distinct abilities, encouraging players to adapt their strategies. The diverse enemy designs keep battles fresh, while boss encounters challenge players with creative mechanics, ensuring that combat remains dynamic and exciting throughout the adventure;
• Combat in Sea of Stars is both strategic and engaging, combining turn-based mechanics with real-time elements. Players need to time their attacks and defenses, which adds a layer of skill to each encounter. With a variety of abilities and combos available, battles remain dynamic and rewarding. Each enemy presents its own challenges, encouraging players to adapt their strategies. Overall, the polished combat system makes battles a standout feature, keeping players invested and excited throughout their adventure;
• Sea of Stars boasts a great runtime, offering players around 20 to 30 hours of gameplay, depending on exploration and side quests. This length strikes a perfect balance, providing enough time to fully experience the rich story and vibrant world without overstaying its welcome. The pacing allows for meaningful character development and engaging combat, making every moment feel worthwhile. With plenty of optional content to discover, players are rewarded for their exploration, ensuring a satisfying adventure from start to finish.

The Negatives

• Backtracking in Sea of Stars can become tedious, as players often need to travel long distances to complete quests or revisit places. While exploring is fun, the lack of a good fast travel system makes returning to previous areas feel more like a chore. This can interrupt the game's flow, especially during side quests or when searching for collectibles. A more effective fast travel option would improve the experience, letting players concentrate on the adventure instead of unnecessary backtracking;
• While Sea of Stars features a variety of puzzles, some can feel overly simplistic or lacking in challenge. Players may find themselves solving them quickly without needing to do much thinking and a few puzzles could benefit from increased complexity or more creative mechanics to improve the overall experience. As a result, players might wish for a more rewarding puzzle system that matches the depth found in other gameplay elements.

The Experience

Sea of Stars is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of our favorite games of 2023 and one of the best games we played of the last couple of years. We started Sea of Stars thinking it would be a fun and quick game we could play while we awaited some big releases but little did we know that it would end up being such an epic journey that would pull on every emotional string we had in our body. It took us around 46 hours to fully 100% and obtain the platinum and we loved every second of it. We can't wait for the upcoming updates coming to the game in the coming months, just so we have another excuse to dive back into this universe that we instantly fell in love with. We will be covering the upcoming DLC in 2025 so you better stick around if you wanna know our opinion on it.