Sea of Stars Release Date: A Retro-Inspired RPG That Celebrates the Legacy of Yasunori Mitsuda

Sea of Stars is an upcoming role-playing game (RPG) by Sabotage Studio, the developer behind the critically acclaimed metroidvania game The Messenger (2018). Sea of Stars is set in the same world as The Messenger, but thousands of years before its events. It follows the story of two children who wield the powers of the sun and moon to fight against an evil alchemist known as The Fleshmancer.

Sea of Stars is heavily inspired by classic RPGs such as Illusion of Gaia, Breath of Fire, and Chrono Trigger. It features a colorful pixel art style, a dynamic turn-based combat system, a rich world to explore with puzzles and secrets, and a soundtrack composed by Eric W. Brown (aka Rainbowdragoneyes) and Yasunori Mitsuda, the legendary composer behind Chrono Trigger and Xenogears.

Sea of Stars was announced on March 19, 2020, as a Kickstarter project that aimed to raise $94,289 CAD. It surpassed its goal in just seven hours and went on to raise $1,628,126 CAD from 25,589 backers. Sea of Stars is scheduled to be released on August 29, 2023, for Windows PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Gameplay

Sea of Stars is a turn-based RPG that combines elements from various genres such as action-adventure, puzzle-solving, and exploration. The game features six playable characters that can be switched in and out during combat. Each character has its own unique abilities and skills that can be used to exploit the elemental weaknesses of enemies.

The combat system is designed to be fast-paced and dynamic. The game does not use random encounters or transition screens. Instead, enemies are visible on the map and can be avoided or engaged at will. The battles take place on the same screen as the exploration with no loading times or interruptions.

The game also incorporates some innovative features that enhance the gameplay experience. For example:

• The game uses a day-night cycle that affects the environment and the enemies. Some areas can only be accessed at certain times or under certain conditions.
• The game allows players to interact with the environment during combat. Players can use objects such as rocks or barrels to damage enemies or create obstacles.
• The game uses a dynamic lighting system that creates realistic shadows and reflections. The game also supports ray tracing on compatible devices for enhanced visual effects.
• The game has a sailing mechanic that lets players travel across the ocean and discover new islands and secrets.
• The game has a side quest system that offers optional missions and rewards for players who want to explore more of the world and its lore.

Story

Sea of Stars is set in a world where magic is derived from the celestial bodies: the sun, the moon, and the stars. Every millennium, a rare cosmic event known as the Eclipse occurs. During this time, two children are born with special powers: one can control the sun’s energy and the other can control the moon’s energy. These children are called the Children of the Solstice and they are destined to perform Eclipse Magic: a powerful force that can shape the world.

However, not everyone welcomes this event. A mysterious alchemist named The Fleshmancer has been experimenting with the dark side of magic and creating monstrous creatures. He plans to use the Eclipse to unleash his creations and destroy the world. The only ones who can stop him are the Children of the Solstice and their allies.

The game follows the journey of Valere and Zale, the two Children of the Solstice, as they travel across the world to learn more about their powers and their destiny. Along the way, they will meet other characters who will join their cause and help them fight against The Fleshmancer and his minions.

Development

Sea of Stars is developed by Sabotage Studio, a small indie team based in Quebec City, Canada. The studio was founded in 2016 by Thierry Boulanger and Martin Brouard, two former employees of Beenox, a subsidiary of Activision. The studio’s first game was The Messenger, a metroidvania game that pays homage to Ninja Gaiden and other retro games. The Messenger was released in 2018 and received critical acclaim for its gameplay, story, humor, and music.

After the success of The Messenger, Sabotage Studio decided to create a new game that would expand the world and the lore of The Messenger. They chose to make an RPG that would be inspired by their favorite games from their childhood, such as Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy. They also wanted to make a game that would have higher stakes and more characters than The Messenger.

To fund the development of Sea of Stars, Sabotage Studio launched a Kickstarter campaign on March 19, 2020. The campaign had a goal of $94,289 CAD, which was reached in just seven hours. The campaign went on to raise $1,628,126 CAD from 25,589 backers, making it one of the most successful Kickstarter projects for a video game.

One of the most notable features of the Kickstarter campaign was the involvement of Yasunori Mitsuda, the composer behind Chrono Trigger and other classic RPGs. Mitsuda agreed to compose 10 tracks for Sea of Stars after being impressed by the game’s concept and demo. Mitsuda joined Eric W. Brown (aka Rainbowdragoneyes), who composed the music for The Messenger and returned to work on Sea of Stars.

Sea of Stars is scheduled to be released on August 29, 2023 for Windows PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The game will be available on Steam and other digital platforms. The game will also have a physical edition for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4/5, which will be distributed by Limited Run Games.

Reception

Sea of Stars has received positive feedback from fans and critics since its announcement. The game has been praised for its beautiful pixel art style, its dynamic combat system, its rich world and lore, and its soundtrack. The game has also been compared favorably to Chrono Trigger and other classic RPGs.

The game has also won several awards and nominations from various events and publications. Some of these include:

• Best Indie Game at Gamescom 2020
• Best Indie Game at Tokyo Game Show 2020
• Best Indie Game at Brazil Game Show 2020
• Best Indie Game at PAX Online 2020
• Best Indie Game at The Game Awards 2020
• Best Indie Game at IGN Summer of Gaming 2020
• Best Indie Game at PC Gamer Show 2020
• Best Indie Game at Future Games Show 2020
• Best Indie Game at Escapist Indie Showcase 2020
• Best Indie Game at Guerrilla Collective Showcase 2020
• Best Indie Game at Wholesome Direct 2020
• Most Anticipated Indie Game at Steam Awards 2020

Summary

Sea of Stars is an upcoming role-playing game by Sabotage Studio that pays homage to Chrono Trigger and other classic RPGs. It is set in the same world as The Messenger, but thousands of years before its events. It follows the story of two children who wield the powers of the sun and moon to fight against an evil alchemist known as The Fleshmancer.

Sea of Stars features a colorful pixel art style, a dynamic turn-based combat system, a rich world to explore with puzzles and secrets, and a soundtrack composed by Eric W. Brown (aka Rainbowdragoneyes) and Yasunori Mitsuda. Sea of Stars was funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised $1,628,126 CAD from 25,589 backers. Sea of Stars is scheduled to be released on August 29, 2023 for Windows PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S.