Sea of Stars Reviews

Sea of Stars is ranked in the 98th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Aug 31, 2023

This homage to classic Japanese RPGs picks from the best to create something original, and its rich, engaging world makes it feel like a classic in its own right

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Aug 28, 2023

From the beginning of the game to the end credits, I loved Sea of Stars. It has an engaging combat system, gorgeous pixel-art graphics, a large variety of intriguing side content, and a fantastic plot featuring a charming world, likable characters, and crazy twists that I didn’t see coming. If you grew up playing JRPGs in the 1990s or are a younger fan who likes JRPGs in general, then I guarantee you’ll love Sea of Stars.

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GameMAG
Top Critic
6 / 10
Dec 5, 2023

Sea of Stars is an old-school JRPG, cut on modern molds, which because of its dragging and template solutions turns from a fun adventure into a routine work.

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8 / 10.0
Sep 4, 2023

Sea of Stars is a Vergil for all the Dantes that want to explore the Hell and the Heavens of JRPG. Sabotage Studio learned from the genre's master, but took away the boring grinding part giving life to something very catchy to play.

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95 / 100
Aug 28, 2023

Balance is important, so I searched high and low for something to cite as could-be-better. I found nothing. Lovingly crafted by Quebec City’s Sabotage Studio, Sea of Stars is quite a departure for the team responsible for The Messenger. It’s a risk that’s resulted in one of the most beautiful, heartfelt, and well balanced RPGs I’ve ever played.

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Unscored
Aug 28, 2023
Sea of Stars | Review in 3 Minutes - YouTube video thumbnail
8 / 10
Aug 28, 2023

Overall, Sea of Stars is immensely enjoyable from start to finish. While it's been inspired by various classic RPGs, it sets itself apart with an engaging story, some brilliant characters, and surprisingly deep lore. On top of that, the combat is great fun thanks to its involving, strategic mechanics, and exploring the gorgeous pixelated world is rewarding. It isn't perfect, but it overcomes any flaws with its charming presentation, a world ripe with things to see and do, and no shortage of personality.

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9 / 10.0
Aug 28, 2023

Top tier storytelling, environmental puzzles, and exploration make Sea of Stars a must play for RPG fans. Though the combat system wears slightly thin after a while, the rest of the game is absolutely stellar. Colorful, funny, and packed full of memorable characters and moments, this is a game that is not to be missed by RPG fans.

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10 / 10.0
Aug 28, 2023

I freaking loved Sea of Stars, from its adorable graphic style to its heartwarming story Sea of Stars is a sure-fire hit. Even the times I ran into glitches and bugs I still enjoyed my time within its world. Sabotage studios already proved the pedigree of their studio with The Messenger but I fully expect them to level up with the release of Sea of Stars. With its enjoyable story, utterly fantastic musical score, and beautiful pixel world if you are a fan of RPG’s this one is NOT to be missed!

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9.5 / 10.0
Aug 28, 2023

Sea Of Stars is an excellent, retro-inspired RPG that I would recommend anyone play, with feel-good characters, intricate and engaging combat, a stunning soundtrack, and beautiful world with a wonderful sense of adventure, friendship and love. While the story doesn't break any molds, its characters are all charming and endearing, to the point where I feel like I'd follow them to the ends of the world and beyond.

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PCMag
Top Critic
Sep 29, 2023

Sea of Stars is a vibrant, beautiful RPG that's packed with gameplay conventions from yesteryear, but it has enough flair to stand out from its inspirations.

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9 / 10.0
Sep 10, 2023

Sea of Stars rejects the abundance of content at all costs and offers a memorable journey, which could have dared a little more on the narrative front, but lived by characters that we could not fail to appreciate.

Review in Italian | Read full review

96 / 100
Sep 17, 2023

Sea of Stars in short, is the indie surprise of the year, it is that game that makes us relive the past and invites us to travel a colorful, captivating world, from which you do not want to detach at any time. When a game is made with love, affection, dedication and a lot of effort, it is when we can fully appreciate it, we are facing a masterpiece and in my humble opinion it is the best of the year, you should not miss it, whether or not you are a lover of JRPGs.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

95 / 100
Sep 5, 2023

Sea of Stars is much more than just a tribute for games like Chrono Trigger and Golden Sun. Sabotage created a truly special RPG experience that deserves to be considered as a GOTY contender.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

4.5 / 5.0
Aug 28, 2023

Sea of Stars successfully modernizes and builds on the traditional 2D pixel RPG game and proves how such a genre has the potential to thrive among the saturated market hype for realistic games through beautiful storytelling, engaging gameplay, and brilliantly written characters.

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9.3 / 10.0
Aug 28, 2023

A beautiful homage to the JRPG genre that still manages to stand on its own, while taking care to let go of all the annoying gimmicks that plagued JRPGs in the past.

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Mind-blown
Aug 28, 2023
Sea of Stars is a Masterpiece - REVIEW - YouTube video thumbnail
8 / 10.0
Aug 28, 2023

Sea of Stars hits a lot of notes with ease, not only wearing its inspirations on its sleeve (and hiring them; they got Mitsuda on the score!) but leveraging them to try new things. For the most part, this game is a standout indie RPG with a level of style, polish, and storytelling that makes it stand out in the crowd.

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9 / 10
Aug 28, 2023

Sea of Stars is a sensational achievement for Sabotage. The studio is two for two in providing impressively designed and genuinely innovative takes on classic genres. Some pacing issues aside, the complex narrative, deep and strategic combat, thoughtful level design, and fantastic visuals and music all combine to make this one of the easiest recommendations we can make. If you consider yourself a fan of old-school RPGs, you must play Sea of Stars. And if not? The execution and polish here are so good that we'd suggest you give it a try anyway. There are few games that would be a better introduction and representation of what makes JRPGs great. Sea of Stars is an instant classic and a new high-water mark for modern retro-styled indies. You really shouldn't miss out.

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PCGamesN
Top Critic
9 / 10
Aug 28, 2023

Sea of Stars is a worthy pseudo-spiritual successor to some of the greatest JRPGs ever made. It improves on what made those games so special by modernizing their magic through balanced and engaging turn-based combat wrapped up in an enthralling world to explore.

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