Sea of Stars

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,398 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
Sea of Stars Game Cover
Sea of Stars is the new benchmark for turn-based RPGs, with sublime combat, a cast of charming characters and a soundtrack that's an all-timer.
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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.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,398 reviews
story974 positive mentions
grinding117 negative mentions
  • Stunning pixel art and vibrant environments that evoke nostalgia for classic RPGs.
  • Engaging combat system that incorporates timing mechanics, making battles feel dynamic and interactive.
  • Heartwarming story with memorable characters, particularly Garl, who adds charm and humor to the narrative.
  • Main protagonists, Zale and Valere, lack depth and personality, making it hard to connect with them.
  • Combat can become repetitive as characters have limited skills, leading to a lack of strategic variety.
  • The story has pacing issues, with some plot points feeling rushed or underdeveloped, particularly towards the ending.
  • story2,749 mentions

    The story of "Sea of Stars" is a blend of classic RPG tropes, focusing on themes of friendship and adventure, which resonates well with fans of the genre. While some players appreciate its nostalgic charm and engaging twists, others criticize it for being predictable and lacking depth, particularly in character development. Overall, the narrative is seen as enjoyable but not groundbreaking, with a mix of heartfelt moments and some pacing issues throughout the game.

    • “The game has amazing graphics and such a wonderful story, that has memorable characters and many twists and turns in my own opinion.”
    • “The story is compelling and the style is amazing.”
    • “The story was great, with multiple arcs that were mostly completed by the end of the game.”
    • “The story is painfully simple, the combat is painfully basic, and the map is painfully boring.”
    • “The story is a lot of 'go here, do this, suddenly a boss fight against a dude we'll never see again'.”
    • “The story is very weak and downright boring at times.”
  • music1,455 mentions

    The music in "Sea of Stars" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its beautiful compositions and nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic JRPGs 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 emotional depth. While some players noted occasional repetitiveness, the overall quality and integration of the music into gameplay were highlighted as standout elements of the experience.

    • “The music is fantastic, the art is beautiful, and the gameplay is engaging.”
    • “The soundtrack is a masterpiece, evoking strong emotions and enhancing the overall experience.”
    • “The music is beautiful and memorable, capturing the essence of classic JRPGs.”
    • “The first is with the music, some of which is just... bad.”
    • “The music is a little repetitive but that's par for an OG style game and it is good and reminiscent of all your favorite turn-based RPGs.”
    • “The music throughout, and not just Mitsuda's tracks, doesn't compare to the rich and memorable compositions of Chrono Trigger; some tracks are even grating to the ears.”
  • gameplay1,168 mentions

    The gameplay of "Sea of Stars" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its engaging turn-based combat that incorporates timing mechanics reminiscent of classic RPGs like "Chrono Trigger" and "Super Mario RPG." Players appreciate the innovative "lock" system that adds strategic depth, as well as the ability to customize difficulty through relics. However, some critics note that the combat can become repetitive and lacks variety in character abilities, leading to a sense of monotony as the game progresses. Overall, while the gameplay is enjoyable and nostalgic, it may not fully satisfy those seeking deeper mechanics or challenge.

    • “Mechanically, the system requires you to pay attention, and button-mashing will not get you far, even in battles you are seriously over-leveled and over-geared for.”
    • “The gameplay loop is enjoyable and satisfying.”
    • “The gameplay is a simple but fun loop, while having a layer of mastery to it for those looking for a bit more depth (with more relics to increase the challenge in various ways).”
    • “The gameplay is very simplistic and repetitive that somewhere half into this game it becomes annoyance at best.”
    • “The combat system is a very simple and repetitive turn-based combat, perhaps it was enough for a game that lasts approximately 8 hours, unfortunately it lasts about 35, in addition to the combat being simple, the game is extremely easy and there is no challenge.”
    • “The gameplay gets tiring after 20 hours, I wish I had more decisions I could have made related to my characters' build out or level ups.”
  • graphics802 mentions

    The graphics of "Sea of Stars" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning pixel art style, vibrant colors, and intricate animations that evoke nostalgia for classic JRPGs like "Chrono Trigger." Many reviewers highlight the game's beautiful environments and attention to detail, noting that the visuals significantly enhance the overall experience, even if some aspects of gameplay and story may not be as strong. Overall, the art direction is considered a standout feature, making it a visually captivating title in the genre.

    • “The artwork and pixel style of the game bring you back to your childhood but are nothing short of breathtaking.”
    • “The graphics are fantastic; just looking at the preview media tells you all you need to know in that regard.”
    • “The visuals are stunning for the art style, the music is great to listen to, and exploring the world is genuinely extremely fun!”
    • “Unfortunately, the rest of the game does not hold up to the visuals.”
    • “This game fails in everything but aesthetics.”
    • “The pretty visuals do not make up for each character still only having three abilities at 25 hours into the game.”
  • emotional193 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game has garnered mixed responses, with many players expressing that it evoked strong feelings, including joy and sadness, often leading to tears. While some found the story heartwarming and nostalgic, others criticized the main characters for lacking depth, which diminished their emotional investment. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful art, music, and moments of genuine emotional impact, despite some narrative flaws and bland characterizations.

    • “Sea of Stars is an emotional experience of a game.”
    • “The music, storytelling, and ambiance are all incredible -- I found myself actually crying during this game because I had become so emotionally invested in the characters.”
    • “The story is absolutely touching, and will leave you wanting more.”
    • “You will struggle just finishing this game due to the boring storyline and characters, as well as repetitive combat.”
    • “But cannot be saved due to shallow combat and a boring story.”
    • “Boring story and gameplay.”
  • grinding144 mentions

    Overall, reviews indicate that grinding is largely absent in this game, with many players appreciating the lack of mandatory experience grinding or random battles. However, some players find certain aspects, such as backtracking for collectibles or lengthy combat animations, to be tedious and detracting from the overall experience. While the game is designed to keep players engaged without the grind, some still feel that certain elements can become repetitive or drawn out over time.

    • “No grinding for XP or rare drops.”
    • “On the plus side, absolutely no grinding is needed to defeat stronger foes.”
    • “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.”
    • “The first ending isn't great, and tracking down everything for the true ending is tedious.”
    • “You can't fast escape areas you've already beaten even after you should be able to, and will spend time going through tedious and boring areas just to snatch something that you missed the first time around.”
    • “Fights just end up becoming mob farming simulator without feeling like beating the different bosses accomplished something.”
  • humor127 mentions

    The humor in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it genuinely funny and engaging, while others criticize it as forced or lacking depth. Many appreciate the quirky characters and clever dialogue, which evoke nostalgia for classic RPGs, but some feel that attempts at self-aware or meta-humor fall flat and disrupt immersion. Overall, while there are memorable humorous moments, the effectiveness of the humor varies significantly among players.

    • “I found myself laughing every time I sat down to play it.”
    • “The characters are quirky and well designed, and the dialogue has made me laugh out loud many times.”
    • “The story is fantastic while also managing to tickle your funny bone.”
    • “This character breaks the fourth wall constantly in the most painfully unfunny ways, and sometimes in ways that insult its own game.”
    • “Here we are supposed to be controlling these trained heroes, and yet the writers force us to require their help - and the help is supposed to be funny, but it isn't.”
  • character development78 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the unique character designs and vibrant visuals, while others criticize the lack of depth and growth for the main characters. Many players feel that the story and character arcs are shallow, with some characters appearing one-dimensional and lacking engaging dialogue. Overall, while there are moments of strong character design and potential, the development often falls short, leaving players wanting more from the narrative and character interactions.

    • “The character development and overall story are a huge upside here.”
    • “The story is amazing, the character development is phenomenal.”
    • “The attention to detail in the game's environments, character designs, and spell effects is truly remarkable, immersing players in a world that feels both familiar and fresh.”
    • “The story and the character development are probably the weakest points of the game for me.”
    • “But the characters themselves and story overall are very shallow and there's no character development whatsoever.”
    • “There is very little character development or characters that make you care about them whatsoever.”
  • atmosphere56 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and enchanting qualities, blending captivating visuals, a nostalgic soundtrack, and engaging storytelling. Players appreciate the varied environments that evoke a range of emotions, from lighthearted camaraderie to eerie tension, enhancing the overall experience. However, some critiques mention that certain gameplay elements and dialogues can detract from the otherwise strong atmospheric presence.

    • “From the beginning, I was hooked on the atmosphere and setting.”
    • “The gameplay is a bit lackluster at times, but it allows you to lay back and just enjoy the story and the atmosphere the game brings, which is its biggest forte and the best part of the whole experience, in my humble opinion.”
    • “The soundtrack is easily one of my top 5 for the year of its release and keeps the game feeling incredibly atmospheric at all times.”
    • “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.”
    • “However, the dialogues ruined any kind of atmosphere that the game had going for it.”
  • replayability17 mentions

    Overall, the reviews indicate that the game's replayability is generally low, with many players expressing disappointment in the lack of meaningful differences in subsequent playthroughs. While some mention minimal replay value through features like New Game Plus, others highlight that the experience remains largely unchanged, leading to a consensus that the game lacks the staying power and depth needed for high replayability.

    • “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.”
    • “Replayable: 1000/10”
    • “There is some replay value in NG+, nothing stellar though.”
    • “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.”
    • “It has absolutely zero replay value; if you beat it, that's pretty much the same experience you'll have with it the next time you pick it up.”
  • optimization13 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is mixed; while it performs well on some platforms, players report stuttering and lag, particularly in the later sections on PC and poor performance on the Steam Deck. Despite these issues, many appreciate the smooth gameplay and visual quality, though some users express frustration with the uneven performance and occasional bugs.

    • “The game performance is quite good.”
    • “Great soundtrack, fun combat, gorgeous sprites, and silky smooth performance.”
    • “As far as the game plays, it runs smoothly, doesn't seem all too buggy except for 2 of the battles where the enemies dropped loot and it went through the wall where I couldn't pick it up, but it seems to be built very well.”
    • “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.”
    • “Some players may find the difficulty level a bit uneven at times, and there are occasional performance issues on certain platforms.”
    • “My PC runs modern games fine, why is this pixel art indie title so poorly optimized?”
  • stability11 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with most players reporting smooth performance and minimal glitches across various devices, including the Steam Deck. However, some users noted occasional bugs, such as character freezes and loot issues, which can disrupt gameplay but are often considered minor in the context of the game's overall quality. Despite these hiccups, the experience remains enjoyable and polished for the majority of players.

    • “The game runs great on every device I've run it on; it's stunningly beautiful to look at and listen to; the gameplay is engaging in a way that most turn-based RPGs fail to do; the story is emotional; a modern masterpiece.”
    • “Still, it's a lovable game and these details are easy to overlook thanks to a pretty, polished, bug-free experience, excellent storytelling, great music, and fun overall.”
    • “Runs great on PC and Steam Deck.”
    • “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.”
    • “That being said, I did encounter a few glitches throughout (Zale got stuck on several occasions, forcing me to reload), and some of the late- and post-game backtracking got a little tiresome...but not enough to keep me from sinking ~60 hours into it.”
  • monetization9 mentions

    The monetization aspect of "Sea of Stars" is generally viewed positively, with players appreciating its affordability compared to other titles that rely heavily on microtransactions. Reviewers express a preference for indie games that prioritize passion over profit, highlighting the game's lack of cash grabs and its focus on delivering a complete experience without the pitfalls of modern monetization practices. Overall, the game is seen as a refreshing alternative in an industry often criticized for exploitative financial models.

    • “In an age of games as a service, microtransactions and developers that keep churning out the same mediocre games every year, it's comforting to see that there are still people out there that truly love what they do.”
    • “Filled with microtransactions.”
    • “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.”
    • “Buy games from indie developers because you know it is a labor of love and not a cash grab.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

90% average critic score

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Play time

12hMedian play time
20hAverage play time
6-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 38 analyzed playthroughs

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