Summary
One of 2023’s top indie titles,Sea of Stars, was inspired by classic games from the 16-bit era such asChrono Trigger,Super Mario RPG, and theManaseries. Like any RPG of the time,Sea of Starshas some unwritten rules that players both new to the game, and new to the genre overall, should consider when playing through it for the first time.
True to the games it drew inspiration from,Sea of Starsis not the longest game by any stretch, as most players can finish the main story and some side content in about 25 to 30 hours. But, thanks to more side content to do after wrapping up the story, andthe upcomingThroes of the WatchmakerDLC, players can easily double their playtime upwards of 50 hours. That said, both seasoned veterans and newcomers to the RPG genre should follow the rules that makeSea of Starsa better experience.
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Practice and Learn the Button Timings
Similar to games such asSuper Mario RPGandThe Legend of Dragoon, timed hits and blocks are crucial to success in Sea of Stars. This timing mechanic goes for standard attacks and for each ofthe character skills inSea of Stars. Some skills such as Valere’s Moonerang and Seraï’s Venom Flurry continue in succession with each timed button press, with Moonerang being upon deflecting the projectile, and Venom Flurry at the height of Seraï’s portal jumps. Using the Sequent Flare relic can give players a clear indicator of the timing of each skill, via a star that will fly across the screen with each successful parry and attack.
Turn The Music Up to the Max
With a soundtrack composed by Sabotage Studio’s Eric W. Brown, and contributions from guest composers Vincent Jake Jones, Reece Miller, and Yasunori Mitsua ofChrono Triggerfame, the sounds ofSea of Starsare a feature that should not be ignored. Throughout the game, players will have the ability to switch between day and night freely, and the music will change in the world and in battle alongside it. Miller’s “bardcore” tracks can be heard in the inns across the game, all of which are remixes of the game’s various themes. This attention to detail isa trait that few classic RPGs can boast, butSea of Starshas done that in spades.
Collect and Experience Everything in the Game
Like any RPG worth its salt,Sea of Starsrewards players who complete everything that the game has to offer after beating the main story once. From defeating optional bosses to collecting every Rainbow Conch and recruiting every NPC possible to move to the town of Mirth, fulfilling these criteria is necessary forSea of Starsplayersto unlock the True Endingof the game. Once players unlock New Game Plus, they will be taken back to the last save point in The Fleshmancer’s lair. From there, they can resume any unfinished tasks needed to unlock the True Ending and face the game’s true final boss. While fulfilling these criteria is a challenge, heeding the rule of total completion is worth it inSea of Stars.
Always Hit Up the Save Spots
While this rule may seem self-explanatory, saving early and often is one of the basics of the RPG genre. The save points inSea of Starsare magical purple books located on pedestals in towns, dungeons, and most parts of the world map. Players should always take the time to save their progress at their earliest convenience, especially if they are going aftera particular trophy or achievement. In addition toSea of Stars' auto-save functionality, save points and campfires are usually placed before a major boss battle. Between those options, players should use this chance to prepare for what lies ahead.
Sea of Starsis available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
