Summary
Sabotage Studio’sSea of Starswas released earlier this year to near-universal praise and high sales; proclaimed an instant classic by many. Even more impressive, as it was a big change in direction from the indie developer’s debut,The Messenger. Whereas that was a shorter but tightly designed Metroidvania experience,Sea of Starsis an epic JRPG channeling the 16-32-bit era. It hearkens back to the best titles of that time in all aspects of its design.
Sea of Starsis the first title to have been a day-one inclusion on both PlayStation Plus (Extra) and Xbox Game Pass.
Sea of Stars' inspirations are clear, as it pulls from beloved classics likeChrono Trigger,Super Mario Party RPG, and earlyFinal Fantasy.It combines elements from these and more to produce one of the best retro JRPGs in recent memory. In keeping with genre traditions, it also features a huge cast of well-written characters, withthe Watchmaker inSea of Starsone of the most compelling.
Why The Watchmaker is One of the Most Important Characters in Sea of Stars
The Watchmaker’s History and Role in Sea of Stars
During the main quest, players will eventually meet the elusive Watchmaker at the top of Clockwork Castle, where she explains her backstory. She designed the castle for the main villain and has been trapped in it by him for an untold amount of time. She doesn’t seem to mind though, since it affords her an eternity to perfect her craft. In a spot-on homage from Sabotage, the Watchmaker embodiesthe trope of the aloof inventor; interested more in her own devices than in saving the world. She holds a key item and nonchalantly hands it over, acting somewhere between amused and annoyed at the party’s need for it. The Watchmaker then hastily dismisses them and returns to work with barely an afterthought.
The Watchmaker’s influence can be felt much earlier inSea of Stars' adventure, well before encountering the reclusive tinkerer in person. During their journey, players are likely to find various NPCs who will playSea of Stars' Wheels mini-gamewith them. Though optional, it can be addicting due to its expertly designed, simple but fun mechanics. If players continue the Wheels side quest, it’s revealed that the Watchmaker is to thank for inventing the popular game. She is obviously also the reigning champion. Players can then engage in a difficult final round against her to become the new Wheels master.
The Watchmaker’s Secret Quest and Future in Sea of Stars
The Watchmaker’s presence can also be seen in a much more secret and elaborate pursuit. Following another genre standard, Sabotage included a number of extra tasks to tackle upon first finishing the game. In one of these quests, required to seethe true ending ofSea of Stars, players must face a series of tough battles in a classic Coliseum challenge. One of the bosses, the Clockwork Abomination, is, of course, her creation. She is the silver champion of the arena, and this monstrosity defends her title.
Her reach is extensive, and withSea of Stars' upcoming DLC to be focused on the Watchmaker, it’s apparent that Sabotage has the character at the forefront of its plans. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Watchmaker ends up a party member in the DLC, continuing her story with her firmly in the spotlight.
