2025-04-30T15:36:21Z

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In recent gaming news, Sea of Stars, a retro-inspired role-playing game (RPG) developed by Sabotage Studios, is set to receive an exciting new expansion titled Throes of the Watchmaker. First released on August 29, 2023, the game has been lauded for its 16-bit aesthetics and engaging gameplay, reminiscent of classic titles like Chrono Trigger. Katherine Castle from RPS in peace aptly described the game as a delightful nostalgic journey that pays homage to the golden era of pixel art games, showcasing both the joy and heartache that comes with it.

The upcoming DLC, scheduled to launch on May 20, 2024, aims to enrich the gaming experience with significant new content, including a fresh playable character named Arty. This expansion promises an estimated eight hours of gameplay packed with new areas, engaging music, intricate dungeons, entertaining mini-games, formidable new enemies and bosses, as well as challenging puzzles. Players can also look forward to new playable classes for the original protagonists, Valere and Zale.

What sets Throes of the Watchmaker apart is its design, intended to be tackled after the main storyline of Sea of Stars has been completed. It offers a self-contained progression loop, meaning that players can enjoy the new content without worrying about how it will affect their overall progress in the main game. This design choice allows gamers to focus on the unique experience the DLC offers, showcasing its own classes, skills, and combos.

The thematic setting of the DLC is intriguingly imaginative; it envisions a world resembling a creepy clockwork carnival, reminiscent of the Backrooms. Within this bizarre funfair, Zale and Valere must hone various carnival-themed talents to overcome challenges. Fans will see Zale swapping his sword for juggling talents, while Valere will trade her staff for the ability to perform circus tumbling. Arty, the new character, is envisioned as a quirky robotic sharpshooter sporting vibrant hot pink accents, instantly evoking comparisons to classic gaming levels like the Casino Night Zone. The whimsicality of his character design hints that he might just be hiding a small, adorable creature inside his metallic exterior.

In terms of production quality, the DLC boasts a cinematic budget on par with the main game. Musically, it promises to deliver an exceptional auditory experience, featuring contributions from Eric W. Brown and acclaimed composer Yasunori Mitsuda, known for his work on Chrono Trigger. This collaboration ensures that the soundtrack will be as captivating as the visuals, enhancing the overall immersive experience of the game.

For those unfamiliar with the core narrative, Throes of the Watchmaker delves deeper into the story of one of the game's most compelling figures, the Watchmaker. This genius inventor is responsible for the creation of the intricate Clockwork Castle and the delightful tabletop game known as Wheels, which is enjoyed throughout the world of Sea of Stars. The DLC explores a fascinating invention by the Watchmakerthe miniature clockwork world of Horloge, which is now under threat from a cursed carnival. Players will need to adapt to the unique rules of Horloge to master the Sun and Moon powers, abilities that have been developed throughout their journey to thwart the evil Fleshmancer with the help of Eclipse Magic.

As excitement builds for the release of Throes of the Watchmaker on May 20, fans are eager to see how the expansion will enhance the beloved universe of Sea of Stars. This DLC follows the release of Dawn of Equinox, which introduced local co-op gameplay, providing another layer of interaction for players. Have you had the chance to experience that feature yet?