If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. Developer Sabotage has announced Sea of Stars; a retro-inspired RPG that serves as a prequel to their hit title The Messenger. The game appears to be a throwback to 90’s SNES RPGs with a turn-based combat system in the vein of Chrono Trigger and an art style similar to that of Secret of Mana.
The developers state that the “game focuses on engaging combat and unrestrained exploration, featuring freedom of movement seldom seen in this genre.” Sabotage also boasts a number of features including six playable characters, an engaging story, grind-free progression, strategic battles, and an enthralling universe. As evident from the trailer, Sea of Stars features a gorgeous 2D art style and cutting edge lighting effects that make amazing use of shadows in a changing day/night cycle.
Sabotage received critical praise for their previous retro-inspired title The Messenger in 2016. In addition to the notable ability to switch between 8- and 16- bit graphics, the game gained was heralded for its great gameplay, inspired storytelling, impressive visuals, and fantastic score.
Sea of Stars is expected to be released in March 2022. The project is currently seeking backing on Kickstarter, where a variety of reward tiers are available, but a minimum backing of about $18 USD secures a digital copy of the game. It appears that this nostalgia-fueled throwback will continue to “scratch the itches” of retro gamers while continuing to modernize the genre.
