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Sea of Stars

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Sea of Stars
Developer(s)Sabotage Studio
Publisher(s)Sabotage Studio
Director(s)Thierry Boulanger
Designer(s)
  • Thierry Boulanger
  • Phillipe Dionne
Programmer(s)Sylvain Cloutier
Artist(s)
  • Michael Lavoie
  • Bryce Kho
Writer(s)Thierry Boulanger
Composer(s)
EngineUnity
Platform(s)
ReleaseAugust 29, 2023
Genre(s)Role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

Sea of Stars is a 2023 role-playing video game by Sabotage Studio. The game was released for Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S and is set thousands of years before Sabotage Studio's previous game The Messenger (2018). In the game, players take control of two heroes named Valere and Zale, who use the power of the sun and moon to fight against an alchemist. Sea of Stars features puzzle-solving and turn-based combat, with the player able to control up to six characters. The game was well received critically and commercially.

Gameplay

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Sea of Stars is a retro-styled role-playing video game centred on two heroes named Valere and Zale, who use the power of the moon and sun, respectively, to fight against the creations of an evil alchemist.[1][2] Gameplay includes elements of puzzle-solving and turn-based combat, with players able to control up to six player characters.[2][3] Sea of Stars is set in the same universe as The Messenger.[4]

Plot

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Valere and Zale are Solstice Warriors, adventurers who have control over Eclipse Magic. Their power is the only magic able to harm the Dwellers, otherworldly monsters created by a god-like alchemist called the Fleshmancer. During their travels, they are assisted by their childhood friend, a warrior-cook named Garl. The trio is joined by an assassin named Seraï, and they attack the Dweller of Woe alongside the other Solstice Warriors: Headmaster Moraine, Erlina, and Brugaves. After defeating the Dweller, Erlina and Brugaves betray the group and summon a cult serving the Fleshmancer. The acolytes use the monster's remains to revive the powerful Dweller of Strife. After reaching safety, Moraine tells Valere and Zale to confront the Dweller at the cult's stronghold on Mesa Island.

To disable the protective shield surrounding Mesa Island, the party journeys to a tower submerged in the ocean. Inside, they discover that the structure is home to an alchemist named Resh'an, who requests that they retrieve his magical hourglass. It is later revealed that Resh'an is the Fleshmancer's rival and former associate, who helped him create the elixir of life. Although the potion made them immortal, the Fleshmancer gradually became envious of the mortality given to other creatures, causing him to become cynical and misanthropic. After the Fleshmancer created the Dwellers to spread chaos, Resh'an began training the first Solstice Warriors, sparking a conflict between the alchemists spanning countless parallel universes. The conflict continues in each universe until the Dwellers grow into apocalyptic beings called World Eaters, or the Solstice Warriors gain enough power to become guardian gods.

The party retrieves the hourglass, and Resh'an agrees to fight by their side, but warns them that he cannot engage the Dweller. The party disables the shield, and Valere, Zale, Garl, and Seraï battle the Dweller of Strife. On the verge of losing, Seraï attacks the Dweller with the hourglass in desperation, and its power attracts the attention of the Fleshmancer. The alchemist dismisses the Dweller, acolytes, and Brugaves to his lair, appoints Erlina as his lieutenant, and mortally wounds Garl before leaving. Resh'an uses his power to temporarily extend Garl's lifespan, and the warrior-cook spends his remaining time helping the party perform a favor for the powerful sky giants. After Garl's death, the giants permit the party to cross between worlds in order to pursue the Fleshmancer.

The party arrives at a technologically advanced planet, which Seraï reveals is her home; She had traveled between worlds to recruit Solstice Warriors who could liberate her people from the Fleshmancer. The party fights through the planet alongside B'st, an ancient spirit given a new body by Resh'an, and they confront the Fleshmancer at his lair. The alchemist reveals that he has transformed Erlina into a demonic creature named Elysan'darëlle, and orders her to attack. The party defeats Elysan'darëlle and prepares to battle the Fleshmancer, but Resh'an convinces him into accepting defeat, and both alchemists depart. Learning that a World Eater is approaching, Valere and Zale gain enough power to become guardian gods, and they leave their friends to protect the universe.

If the player completes a set of specific sidequests, an alternative ending is unlocked. The party locates a device left by Resh'an called the Cronophage, which they use to prevent Garl's death by traveling to the past. They replace him with B'st, who assumes his form just before he is struck by the Fleshmancer and the transformed B'st impersonates Garl during all the events that followed up to the present to prevent a time paradox. During the confrontation with the Fleshmancer, Garl provokes him into battling the party instead of Elysan'darëlle, and they force him to retreat. Elysan'darëlle appears in another world, reunited with a transformed Brugaves.[a] Valere and Zale ascend into guardian gods, and return once a year to meet Garl on his birthday.

Development and release

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Sea of Stars was announced on March 19, 2020, as a project on Kickstarter. Sabotage Studio, the game's developer, intended to develop a role-playing game that was more ambitious than 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. He wanted to include "higher stakes" with six characters and exploration that differed from the linear nature of The Messenger.[5] Boulanger cited Chrono Trigger, Super Mario RPG, and the Paper Mario series as influences.[6][7] The game was scored by Eric W. Brown, who previously composed for The Messenger under the alias "Rainbowdragoneyes", with ten tracks written by Chrono Trigger composer Yasunori Mitsuda.[8][9] The game was made using the Unity engine.[10]

Sea of Stars was released for Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on August 29, 2023.[11] It was the first game to release simultaneously on Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus via its Extra tier.[12][13] The game featured internet personality Jirard "The Completionist" Khalil as a non-playable character. However, following charity fraud allegations against Khalil in November 2023, Boulanger announced on Discord that his appearance would be removed.[14][15]

Reception

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The PC, Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 versions of Sea of Stars received "generally favorable" reviews,[16][18][19] while the Switch version received "universal acclaim"[17] on Metacritic. Many critics noted the game's inspiration from games such as Chrono Trigger,[32][33][34] Super Mario RPG,[32][33][34] and Golden Sun.[33][34] Most critics concluded that the game successfully modernized and innovated on the genre's formula, though some notable reviews considered it lacking innovation compared to past games.[35][36]

The Guardian compared it to a "lost, late classic of the Super Nintendo era". They praised the modernized JRPG gameplay systems, visual style, soundtrack, environments, and homages to past games. They concluded that "Sea of Stars is no shallow mirror of RPGs past. Its depth and sparkle make it a modern classic in its own right."[31] Eurogamer concluded their review by stating that "Sea of Stars' well-considered inspirations are shot through with smart, modern sensibilities, creating a more-than-welcome addition to the contemporary throwback RPG club."[22] Game Informer directed particular praise towards the game's modernization of various older JRPG mechanics, which "leads to a smooth, consistently thrilling adventure with fun combat, all in a gorgeous and inviting world."[23] IGN praised the game's visuals, soundtrack, and gameplay, but viewed the game as more derivative than innovative in relation to the genre.[26]

Sales

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Sea of Stars sold 100,000 copies in 24 hours and over 250,000 in its first week.[37][38] The game had been played by more than five million people by March 2024.[39]

Accolades

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Awards and nominations
Year Ceremony Category Result Ref.
2023 Golden Joystick Awards Ultimate Game of the Year Nominated [40]
Best Indie Game Won
The Game Awards 2023 Best Independent Game Won [41]
Best Role Playing Game Nominated
2024 13th New York Game Awards Off Broadway Award for Best Indie Game Nominated [42][43]

The game was an honorable mention for Game of the Year, Best Design, and Best Visual Art at the 2024 Game Developers Choice Awards,[44] and won the award for "Game, Original Role Playing" at the NAVGTR Awards, whereas its other nomination was for "Gameplay Design, New IP".[45][46]

Notes

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  1. ^ The transformed Brugaves is also the demon Barma'thazël, an antagonist in the video game The Messenger.

References

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  1. ^ Stewart, Marcus (June 30, 2022). "Sea Of Stars, The Retro RPG Prequel To The Messenger, Delayed To 2023". Game Informer. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Fillari, Alessandro (March 19, 2020). "New Chrono Trigger-Inspired RPG, Sea Of Stars, Revealed By The Messenger Dev". GameSpot. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  3. ^ Winslow, Jeremy (June 22, 2020). "The Messenger Prequel, Sea Of Stars, Gets New Trailer". GameSpot. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  4. ^ Lane, Gavin (March 19, 2020). "Hands On: First Impressions Of Sea Of Stars, The Next Project From The Messenger Dev Sabotage". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  5. ^ Shea, Brian (March 19, 2020). "The Messenger Developer Sabotage Announces Turn-Based RPG Sea Of Stars". Game Informer. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  6. ^ Bailey, Kat (March 19, 2020). "The Studio Behind The Messenger Is Trying to Kickstart Its Dream RPG in the Midst of a Pandemic". USgamer. Archived from the original on March 24, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  7. ^ Whitehead, Thomas (December 25, 2022). "From Chrono Trigger To Super Mario RPG, The Varied Influences Of Sea Of Stars". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  8. ^ Shea, Brian (April 7, 2020). "Chrono Trigger Composer Contributing To Sea Of Stars Soundtrack". Game Informer. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  9. ^ Wakeling, Richard (April 7, 2020). "Chrono Trigger Composer Contributing Original Music To Sea Of Stars". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  10. ^ Saver, Michael; Pung, Julia; Stanton, Devon (January 4, 2024). "Made with Unity: 2023 in review". Unity Technologies. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  11. ^ Romano, Sal (February 8, 2023). "Sea of Stars launches August 29". Gematsu. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  12. ^ Winslow, Levi (July 25, 2023). "RPG Becomes First Game To Hit PS Plus, Game Pass Simultaneously". Kotaku. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  13. ^ Croft, Liam (July 25, 2023). "PS Plus Extra, Premium Members Get This Anticipated PS5, PS4 RPG on Day One Next Month". Push Square. Archived from the original on September 23, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  14. ^ Doolan, Ryan (December 16, 2023). "Sea Of Stars Developer Sabotage Replacing 'The Completionist' NPC". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  15. ^ Bellingham, Hope (December 17, 2023). "Hit JRPG Sea of Stars removes donation-collecting NPC based on YouTuber The Completionist following charity fraud allegations". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Sea of Stars for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  17. ^ a b "Sea of Stars for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  18. ^ a b "Sea of Stars for PlayStation 5 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  19. ^ a b "Sea of Stars for Xbox Series X Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  20. ^ "Sea of Stars Reviews". OpenCritic. August 28, 2023. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  21. ^ Reyes, Jess (August 28, 2023). "Sea of Stars review: a retro-inspired RPG that lives up to classics". Digital Trends. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  22. ^ a b Serin, Kaan (August 28, 2023). "Sea of Stars review - a throwback RPG laced with modern magic". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  23. ^ a b Hilliard, Kyle (August 28, 2023). "Sea of Stars Review - Genre Excellence". Game Informer. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  24. ^ Fanelli, Jason (September 8, 2023). "Sea Of Stars Review - Playing With Power". GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 17, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  25. ^ Bailes, Jon (August 28, 2023). "Sea of Stars review: "A delicious, Michelin-starred tasting menu of an RPG"". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on September 15, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  26. ^ a b Moss, Gabriel (August 28, 2023). "Sea of Stars review". IGN. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  27. ^ Vogel, Mitch (August 28, 2023). "Sea of Stars Review (Nintendo eShop)". NintendoLife. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  28. ^ Brunskill, Kerry (August 28, 2023). "Sea of Stars review". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on September 2, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  29. ^ Bell, Lowell (August 28, 2023). "Sea of Stars review – a stunning 9/10 RPG". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  30. ^ Argyros, Caitlin (August 28, 2023). "Sea of Stars Review". RPGFan. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  31. ^ a b Griffin, Sarah Maria (August 31, 2023). "Sea of Stars review – like a lost, late classic of the Super Nintendo era". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  32. ^ a b Rodriguez, Mathew (September 19, 2023). "In A Year Of Big Games, Sea Of Stars Is Refreshingly Small". Kotaku. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  33. ^ a b c Broadwell, Josh (August 28, 2023). "Sea of Stars shines at times, but falls short of its inspirations". Polygon. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  34. ^ a b c Bell, Lowell (June 22, 2023). "Sea of Stars Channels Some of the Best Neglected JRPG Series". The Escapist. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  35. ^ Moss, Gabriel (August 28, 2023). "Sea of Stars Review". IGN. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  36. ^ Brunskill, Kerry (August 28, 2023). "Sea of Stars review". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  37. ^ Campbell, Evan (August 30, 2023). "Sea Of Stars Has Huge Day-One Sales, Despite Launching On Game Pass And PS Plus". GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  38. ^ Sea of Stars [@seaofstarsgame] (September 5, 2023). "We had projections for the first year, but it only took you all a single week. Thank you" (Tweet). Retrieved September 10, 2023 – via Twitter.
  39. ^ "Sabotage Teases 3 Player Couch Co-op Mode as Sea of Stars Surpasses 5 Million Players". Sabotage Studio. March 13, 2024. Archived from the original on March 29, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  40. ^ Loveridge, Sam (November 10, 2023). "Here are all the Golden Joystick Awards 2023 winners". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  41. ^ Fanelli, Jason (November 13, 2023). "The Game Awards 2023 Nominees Announced, See Them All Now". GameSpot. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  42. ^ McEvoy, Sophie (January 5, 2024). "Baldur's Gate 3 leads New York Games Awards 2024 nominations". Gameindustry.biz. Archived from the original on January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  43. ^ McEvoy, Sophie (January 24, 2024). "Baldur's Gate 3 wins big at New York Game Awards 2024". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on January 24, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  44. ^ Sinclair, Brendan (January 16, 2024). "Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Baldur's Gate 3 top GDC Award nominations". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024.
  45. ^ "Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Stray Gods, and Final Fantasy XVI top NAVGTR Award nominations". National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers. January 30, 2024. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024.
  46. ^ "Baldur's Gate III wins Game of the Year from NAVGTR®". National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers. February 27, 2024. Archived from the original on March 1, 2024.
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