Turn-based RPG Sea of Stars has finally revealed a release window following its announcement trailer at Nintendo's Indie World showcase. The game is a love letter to classic RPGs such as Chrono Trigger, which inspired much of its gameplay.
Sea of Stars is a prequel to developer Sabotage Studio's debut title The Messenger, a side-scrolling platformer. The game was fully funded on Kickstarter in just seven hours, following its announcement in early 2020. Initially advertised for "consoles and PC," its latest trailer confirms that one of these consoles will be the Nintendo Switch.
The trailer for Sea of Stars showcases its turn-based combat and fantasy setting, as well as its distinctive pixel art style. Protagonists Zale and Valere must join forces to defeat the evil Fleshmancer, using magic powered by the sun and moon. Sea of Stars is home to a vast world for the player to explore, encountering monsters and formidable boss enemies along the way. According to the trailer, Sea of Stars is slated for a Holiday 2022 release, placing its launch roughly one year from now.
Sea of Stars is heavily inspired by beloved JRPG Chrono Trigger, as evidenced by its aesthetic similarity as well as its turn-based battles. Yasunori Mitsuda, composer of Chrono Trigger's soundtrack, is featured as a guest composer on Sea of Stars as well. The game also takes some inspiration from Super Mario RPG; timed attacks play a crucial role in increasing damage output, a key component of Super Mario RPG's combat.
If the trailer is anything to go by, Sea of Stars looks to be a promising addition to the Nintendo Switch's growing roster of indie titles. Though clearly reminiscent of Chrono Trigger's 16-bit pixel art, Sea of Stars benefits greatly from modern hardware, with smooth animations, sprawling map design, and dynamic lighting. By turning a contemporary lens onto the nostalgic character of 90s-era JRPGs, Sabotage Studio pays homage to the games that inspired Sea of Stars, while adding their unique touch to the genre.
Though a release date has yet to be announced, a Kickstarter update from Sabotage Studio has clarified that this will be revealed sometime next year, alongside other platforms the game will be available on. For now, the studio has promised not to rush the development of Sea of Stars, with an emphasis on quality over compromise. Still, fans can expect a release sometime in Winter 2022, with more updates sure to come.
Sea of Stars launches in Holiday 2022 for PC and Nintendo Switch.