Sea of Stars

If you ask someone who grew up in the nineties what the best game ever made is, there’s a good chance they’ll confidently say Chrono Trigger. And for good reason: the game was made by a dream team composed of the key figures behind both Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest and oozed heart. All to say: making a game inspired by Chrono Trigger and that era of RPGs carries inherent risk – there’s a huge reputation to live up to. Sea of Stars rises to the challenge, not only living up to lofty expectations, but shattering them. Friends, Sea of Stars is one of the best RPGs, nay, games I’ve ever played.

So yeah, Sea of Stars is one of the greatest labors of love i've witnessed this year, and it makes me feel validated for all the time I've spent with this genre. I simply can't find any fault with it. Maybe there should have been a little more meaning in choosing your playable character at the beginning, but I didn't obsess over it much since JRPGs never really gave you that much choice anyways. If anyone wants to dive into the genre, especially the classics that defined it, Sea of Stars will always be my first recommendation.

Sea of Stars sets itself apart with its unique look, relaxing vibes, engaging gameplay. Not only is it a great indie RPG, but it currently sits at the top of my indie GOTY list.

Sea of Stars is an exceptional RPG that stands on its own, even with the clear inspirations it has. And it runs flawlessly on the Steam Deck!

Sabotage Studio unearths a time capsule in this incredible retro-style RPG.

The story had me captivated, especially with how well it builds the friendships between characters, hitting home with every shocking twist and emotional moment. Sea of Stars is a gorgeous love letter to its predecessors, and avid fans of the genre should pick up without a seconds hesitation

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.

Though its narrative and characters leave a little to be desired, Sea of Stars is an audiovisual masterpiece with endlessly fun gameplay, and an overall sense of adventure that is equally nostalgic as it is timeless.

An entrancing voyage through classic RPG nostalgia.

“Sea of Stars goes beyond retro homage to deliver a moving indie RPG with a strong combat system at its heart.”

Drawing heavily from classic RPGs of past console generations, Sea of Stars creates an exciting new adventure that's also a worthy tribute to the classics. It proudly flaunts its influences but does so in a way that pays homage to them. The original story and characters are entertaining and engrossing enough to keep the roughly thirty hour playthrough enjoyable. The story does rely on genre tropes at times which leads to predictable moments, but given the nature of this type of game, that's to be expected. Sea of Stars doesn't break any real innovative ground, but does a great job of combining...

Sea Of Stars is a retro-inspired turn-based RPG that borrows from classics like Chrono Trigger while adding its own flair on things, but fails to leave a lasting impression.