If you're looking for something to play while we await the next big release, I can't recommend Sea of Stars highly enough. First released in 2023, Sea of Stars got excellent reviews, including a glowing write-up by Screen Rant, which earned it a total score of 87 on Metacritic. However, due to its niche genre and its unfortunate release date, it went largely unnoticed. 604f2v

Indie RPGs are not nearly as common as one may think, especially incredible ones like Sea of Stars. They're a rarity, largely because they require so much time and resources to make. Fortunately, there are a handful that not only perfectly encapsulate the very best aspects of the genre, but can absolutely go toe-to-toe with the AAA RPGs currently on offer.

There are so many truly amazing JRPGs from the original Chrono Trigger to Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Each one offers something new in the genre, whether it be vast open-worlds or emotional storytelling. Luckily, for JRPG fans and newcomers alike, 2024 is one of the best years to jump onboard and try out some of these truly incredible games, as the majority of them are more accessible than ever.

The Sea of Starscharacters are back for one more adventure in a brand-new free DLC. The game, developed by Sabotage Studio, was a surprise hit in 2023, captivating players with its nostalgic retro aesthetics, excellent storytelling, and compelling characters. Sea of Stars follows the Solstice Warriors, Valere and Zale, on their adventures to gain control over ancient magic and defend the world from the nefarious Fleshmancer. Now the team is back in a DLC that pits them against a new challenge that'll put their skills to the test.

In a recent interview, the creative director behind Sea of Starsconfirmed that DLC for the game is currently in the works, as well as a completely new game. The second release from developer Sabotage Studios following 2018's The Messenger, the turn-based fantasy title was an undeniable indie darling of last year. Set thousands of years prior within the same universe, Sea of Stars follows a group of heroes as they face off against creatures called Dwellers before they can destroy the world.

Fans of Sea of Starswill soon have a brand-new way to commemorate their love of the game, with both physical releases of the title and a special vinyl available for purchase from iam8bit. Arguably one of the most critically-acclaimed games of 2023, the fantasy RPG is the follow-up title from Sabotage Studios after its 2018 release The Messenger. Set thousands of years before the events of its predecessor, Sea of Stars follows Solstice Warriors Valere and Zale as they strive to save the world from creatures called Dwellers.

The Moon Bo and Sun Blade in Sea of Stars are, respectively, Valere and Zale’s best weapons in the game, and they can give a mighty advantage against the final boss. There are several weapons for you to use in the game, spread across all the playable characters. While there are great options to equip for the final confrontation, mostly found on the last map, the best weapons for Valere and Zale in Sea of Stars are hidden away behind a secondary objective. These weapons are not obligatory for the conclusion of the game, but they can give an edge to the Solstice Warriors.

The Star Shards in Sea of Stars are Seraï’s best weapon in the game, but are only obtainable during the last portion of the main campaign. This pair of daggers can be looted from a boss during a side quest. While the item is not necessary to conclude the story of Sabotage Studio’s turn-based RPG, it can give you an extra hand while facing the last threats available in the campaign due to its increased damage output. To get the Star Shards, you will need to progress further into the campaign and reach the portion of the story leading up to the encounter within the Fleshmancer’s Castle.

Sea of Stars is an Indie RPG based within the same world as The Messenger, and it has a cooking mechanic quite similar to the one in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The recipes are hidden around the world and can be hard to find, but once found these recipes provide a host of benefits for the party.

After completing the Elder Mist Trials in Sea of Stars, players will have to fight the Elder Mist boss. The trials will involve working through various enemies and completing several puzzles in order to collect three relics, and though tedious, all of this can be great preparation for the final boss.