Sea of Stars

About

Promising the Sabotage touch in every system, Sea of Stars aims to modernize the classic RPG in terms of turn-based combat, storytelling, exploration and interactions with the environment, while still offering a hearty slice of nostalgia and good old, simple fun.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

+14

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,432 reviews

story1.5k positive mentions

grinding208 negative mentions

Beautiful pixel art and stunning visuals that evoke nostalgia for classic JRPGs.
Engaging combat system that combines turn-based mechanics with timed attacks and strategic elements.
Charming characters and a heartfelt story that keeps players invested throughout the journey.

The main characters lack depth and personality, making it hard to connect with them.
The story can feel predictable and sometimes lacks meaningful character development.
Some gameplay mechanics, like the lock system, can become tedious and repetitive over time.

story
4,142 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
59%
5%
The story of "Sea of Stars" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its nostalgic charm and engaging twists, while others criticize it for being predictable and lacking depth. The narrative follows two protagonists, Valere and Zale, on a classic hero's journey filled with themes of friendship and adventure, but some feel that the character development is shallow and the pacing uneven, particularly in the latter half. Overall, while the story may not break new ground, it offers a heartfelt experience that resonates with fans of classic JRPGs.
- “The story is engaging, the pixel art is impressive, the soundtracks are bangers, the game mechanics are simple to understand, and the text dialogs are not overwhelming and are easy to comprehend.”
- “The story itself loops back on this as you have a section where the characters use a bunch of things they encountered on their journey, and it feels really cool having that detail of the world involved.”
- “The story is wonderful and the gameplay engaging, with a depth that begs for multiple playthrough attempts to fully appreciate.”
- “Out of the gate, the world-building was lacking, the characters boring, and the story overly simple.”
- “I also think by far the worst aspect of the game would be the storytelling and writing.”
- “There are a lot of plot points that get introduced throughout this game that just don't get fleshed out much at all, making it feel like a checklist of cool ideas rather than feeling like a natural part of the world that is well thought out.”
music
2,123 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
40%
2%
The music in *Sea of Stars* has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its nostalgic quality and emotional resonance, often drawing comparisons to classic JRPG soundtracks like *Chrono Trigger*. The soundtrack features a variety of catchy and memorable tracks, including contributions from renowned composer Yasunori Mitsuda, enhancing the game's atmosphere and gameplay experience. While some tracks are noted as less memorable, the overall consensus is that the music significantly elevates the game's charm and engagement.
- “The soundtrack and sound design are also very solid, giving you that satisfying retro ping when you land a successful timed attack or pick up something from a chest, and a soundtrack that is very befitting for a fantasy adventure.”
- “The music is amazing and just brings some nostalgia to me when playing.”
- “The music will become iconic in your head and the characters are just something special.”
- “The music is a bit repetitive but that's par for an old-school style game and it is good and reminiscent of all your favorite turn-based RPGs.”
- “The music is fine, although nothing really stands out.”
- “The soundtrack is mostly forgettable, standard RPG-sounding stuff.”
gameplay
1,807 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
55%
5%
The gameplay of "Sea of Stars" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its engaging turn-based combat mechanics that incorporate timed hits and a unique "lock" system to interrupt enemy attacks. While the nostalgic art style and music are celebrated, some players find the combat repetitive and lacking in depth, as character abilities are limited and the overall challenge diminishes over time. Despite these criticisms, the game is noted for its charming visuals and the ability to customize difficulty through relics, making it appealing to both new and veteran RPG fans.
- “The gameplay is a nice evolution of the classic JRPG formula.”
- “The game offers an extremely solid package of mechanics with some of the most beautiful sprite work I have seen in any game that is clearly inspired by 16-bit JRPGs.”
- “The combat mechanics keep things interesting, and the ability to combine character skills for devastating combo attacks adds depth to the gameplay.”
- “However, your stats mean very little in the game as you will be doing very similar damage regardless of where you dump your stats, with mana points being the only stat that gives you any real gameplay impact.”
- “The gameplay, if you can believe it, is even worse.”
- “The gameplay is very repetitive; I didn't use any amulets to keep the experience as intended by the devs, and I really don't understand how anyone could ever want to replay this game.”
graphics
1,212 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
1%
The graphics of "Sea of Stars" have been widely praised for their stunning pixel art style, which combines nostalgic 16-bit aesthetics with modern enhancements like dynamic lighting and fluid animations. Reviewers highlight the game's vibrant visuals and attention to detail, noting that the art direction successfully evokes a sense of nostalgia while delivering a visually captivating experience. Overall, the graphics are considered one of the game's strongest aspects, often described as breathtaking and a significant draw for players.
- “Sea of Stars has probably the best 16-bit art style I have had the pleasure to enjoy in any games I have played.”
- “The graphics are stunning, the lighting effects combined with the beautiful pixel art sprites work incredibly well.”
- “The visuals are breathtaking, the first thing that struck me was the sheer beauty of this game.”
- “99% of the budget went into the graphics and art, leaving the remaining 1% to the gameplay and writing.”
- “Overall, I would strongly recommend staying far, far away from this game unless you genuinely only care about the aesthetics, which are admittedly top-tier and perhaps the very best of the entire genre.”
- “This game fails in everything but aesthetics.”
emotional
326 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The emotional aspect of "Sea of Stars" is widely praised for its heartfelt storytelling, nostalgic charm, and the ability to evoke genuine feelings, with many players reporting moments that made them cry. The game effectively balances humor and emotional depth, creating memorable character moments that resonate with players, although some critiques mention that certain characters lack depth or that the pacing of emotional events can feel rushed. Overall, it is celebrated as a touching homage to classic JRPGs, successfully engaging players on an emotional level throughout their journey.
- “This amazing story of grief, fight for power and hope, full of twists and humor that made me feel so on board of this journey.”
- “I cried multiple times.”
- “The story is heartfelt and does a good job of building a world.”
- “You will struggle just finishing this game due to the boring storyline, characters, and repetitive combat.”
- “Boring story, no character development, and a myriad of battle-related mechanics that actively harm each other--in the end, the game is simply not fun.”
- “If you don't mind a boring story, I would pick it up, but if you're looking for a good story, I would pass.”
grinding
239 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
2%
87%
Overall, reviews indicate that while some players appreciate the absence of traditional grinding in the game, many find various aspects of gameplay, such as combat and exploration, to be tedious and repetitive. The lack of grinding is seen as a positive feature, allowing players to focus on the story, but the execution of certain quests and combat mechanics can lead to frustration and a sense of monotony. Many players express a desire for more engaging gameplay elements to offset the tediousness experienced during longer play sessions.
- “A JRPG with no grinding to speak of is refreshing as hell.”
- “No grinding, pacing is perfect, combat is engaging and evokes the nostalgia of older titles like Paper Mario or OG Super Mario RPG.”
- “The game requires little to no grinding as you go, which allows the player to focus on the story and side content without feeling bogged down by tedious level grinding.”
- “While the challenge of the fights was nice at first compared to mook grinding in the traditional JRPG sense, it quickly became tedious from being worn down.”
- “The game is tedious... the dialogue is tedious, the area design is tedious, the fights are tedious, the mini-games are tedious, the comedy is tedious, even the main quest is tedious.”
- “Combat is clunky and tedious.”
humor
181 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its clever dialogue, memorable character interactions, and light-hearted moments that evoke laughter. While some found the humor charming and well-integrated into the narrative, others criticized it for being forced or overly reliant on fourth-wall breaks, leading to a less immersive experience. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with emotional depth, though opinions vary on its effectiveness and originality compared to its predecessor, "The Messenger."
- “The humor in this game isn't laid on as thick as it is in The Messenger but is still very much present, and being an RPG, the memorable characters are even more plentiful and fleshed out.”
- “My favorite things about this game were its humor and how it rewards the player for their exploration and turning every stone.”
- “The dialogue is fun too, with plenty of humor mixed in, and the way the characters interact adds a lot to the story.”
- “That pirate with the constant fourth wall breaks is not funny; it's cringe.”
- “This character breaks the fourth wall constantly in the most painfully unfunny ways, sometimes even insulting its own game.”
- “Here we are supposed to be controlling these trained heroes, yet the writers force us to require their help, and the help is supposed to be funny, but it isn't.”
character development
117 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
60%
12%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a lack of depth and engagement, particularly for the main characters, who often feel one-dimensional and overshadowed by side characters. While some appreciate the character designs and art style, they criticize the dialogue and overall narrative as shallow, leading to missed opportunities for meaningful character arcs. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game excels in visual presentation, its character development is a significant weakness that detracts from the overall experience.
- “The character development is impressive, and the gameplay is catchy enough to stay fun without getting complicated.”
- “After a relatively slow start in the prologue, the game really ramps up the combat, story, and character development with gorgeous art direction and leveling mechanics that respect your time.”
- “The attention to detail in the world-building and character design is commendable, adding depth to the overall experience.”
- “The story, writing, and character development are so shallow that it still irritates me, as there were so many missed opportunities to do something entertaining, dramatic, or meaningful with the characters and their interactions.”
- “There is very little character development or characters that make you care about them whatsoever.”
- “The main duo of Sea of Stars has the weakest character development of all, to the point that I want to know more about the side characters than them.”
atmosphere
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
49%
4%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and enchanting qualities, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack featuring contributions from renowned composer Yasunori Mitsuda. Players appreciate the lush visuals, distinct musical themes for different areas, and the overall nostalgic vibe that evokes classic RPGs. While the atmosphere is generally considered a standout feature, some critiques mention inconsistencies in music matching the game's tone and occasional dialogue that detracts from the experience.
- “The lush visuals, smooth mechanics, and an atmospheric soundtrack, including music from Chrono Trigger composer Yasunori Mitsuda, elevate the experience.”
- “The atmosphere and ambiance are incredibly well-crafted across all biomes and areas.”
- “The hauntingly beautiful score enhances the game's atmosphere and emotion, immersing you even deeper into the story.”
- “However, the dialogues ruined any kind of atmosphere that the game had going for it.”
- “I came to realize that this game does certain things that make the game slowly erode the atmosphere it developed, all while keeping the player on a linear track.”
- “You don't really have much to investigate or learn because things are just told to you through janky dialogue; NPCs other than the 'main' ones don't add anything to the atmosphere or lore, objects are mostly not interactive and when they are they don't add anything to the game or the story.”
replayability
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
70%
10%
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players noting limited options for meaningful choices and branching paths, which diminishes long-term engagement. While certain elements, like mini-games and new game plus modes, offer some replay value, many reviewers express disappointment in the lack of significant differences in subsequent playthroughs. Consequently, the game is seen as enjoyable but lacking in replayability, with some suggesting potential improvements through future updates or DLC.
- “While its narrative and replayability could be improved, its overall gameplay and presentation more than make up for it, earning *Sea of Stars* a thumbs up from me.”
- “The wheels (a kind of strategy gambling mini game) are fun and the opponent's different strategies make it replayable.”
- “After getting all achievements, my opinion is this: a very fun game with a good story and music, with some replayability, something I feel most games these days lack.”
- “Despite its charm, the lack of meaningful branching paths or choices limits its replay value.”
- “The only downside of this game is that the replayability is bad, or should I say, slow, so not many people will have interest in speedrunning and finding different strategies around the fights.”
- “Literally nothing is different about the game so this choice does not matter and it's a shame as I was expecting there to be subtle but noticeable differences in the story that would have added replay value.”
optimization
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
50%
14%
Overall, the game's optimization receives mixed feedback; while many players report smooth performance, particularly on the Steam Deck, others experience stuttering and lag, especially in later sections on PC. Some users noted minor tweaks could enhance the experience, but overall, the game is considered well-built with good visuals and combat. However, a few players encountered significant performance issues, leading to frustration and potential refunds.
- “The game performance is quite good.”
- “Great soundtrack, fun combat, gorgeous sprites and silky smooth performance.”
- “Overall decent game with a lot of potential, but could have been a lot more enjoyable if the story was more fleshed out, and some mechanics were more optimized and available earlier in the game.”
- “My only complaint is that it is not quite optimized for PC in the last sections of the game, giving me brief moments of lag.”
- “My PC runs modern games fine, why is this pixel art indie title so poorly optimized?”
stability
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
6%
59%
Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with many players reporting smooth performance and minimal bugs. However, some users have experienced occasional freezes and minor glitches, particularly during loading screens and specific battles. Despite these issues, the game is praised for its polished experience and engaging gameplay, making it a worthwhile experience for most players.
- “I haven't encountered any bugs myself, and I can see the developers have been very committed to giving us a bug-free experience.”
- “No glitches encountered so far.”
- “Runs great on PC and Steam Deck.”
- “Almost every loading screen my game freezes.”
- “I will say, however, that at some points in the game the sound design is a bit on the buggy side.”
- “At first, the game was disappointing because of some issues with freezes.”
monetization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
36%
50%
The monetization aspect of "Sea of Stars" is highly praised, as the game features no microtransactions or in-game purchases, offering a complete gaming experience without hidden costs. Reviewers appreciate this approach, especially in contrast to the prevalent pay-to-win mechanics in many modern games, highlighting the game's value as a labor of love from indie developers.
- “No microtransactions: in an era of microtransactions and pay-to-win mechanics, Sea of Stars stands out as a complete gaming experience.”
- “There are no hidden costs or in-game purchases to detract from the enjoyment of the game.”
- “In an age of games as a service, microtransactions and developers that keep churning out the same crappy games every year, it's comforting to see that there are still people out there that truly love what they do.”
- “Loaded with references and brilliant meta-humor, it stands as an example of how the secret to game development is not hundred million dollar budgets, terrible crunch, microtransactions, or day one patches to make a game half-complete.”
- “Buy games from indie developers because you know it is a labor of love and not a cash grab.”