Sabotage Studio have released a new trailer during Summer Game Fest for Sea of Stars, showing gameplay and characters.

The game is a prequel set in the same universe as The Messenger, an RPG where timed input and building up combos on foe is necessary to interrupt attacks and unleash powerful blows. It also features dynamic lighting, and music from Chrono Trigger composer Yasunori Mitsuda. The Kickstarter campaign raised $1.6 million CA (estimate $1.2 million USD).

You can find the Summer Game Fest trailer below.

You can find the full rundown (via Steam) below.

Promising the Sabotage touch in every system, Sea of Stars aims to modernize the classic RPG in terms of turn-based combat, storytelling, exploration and interactions with the environment, while still offering a hearty slice of nostalgia and good old, simple fun.

Key ingredients

• Engaging turn-based combat – Combat gameplay includes active player input during attack animations (timed hits), multi-character combo attacks, boosting, and strategic defense options to hinder enemies while they are channeling a powerful attack or spell. For a more immersive experience, there are no random encounters or transitions to separate battlefields, and no grinding. Both navigation and combat happen in the same environment.
• Unshackled traversal – Swim, climb, vault, jump off or hoist up ledges as you run through the world with a navigation system based on platformer expertise that breaks free from the classic bound-to-the-grid tileset movement.
• Prequel story set in The Messenger’s universe – Dozens of original characters and story arcs will take you on a captivating journey. Sometimes epic, sometimes silly, and other times emotional, Sea of Stars does its RPG duty of exploring classic themes of adventure and friendship, while also being chock-full of the unexpected twists and events you’d expect from a Sabotage production.
• Full-on dynamic lighting – Our custom-made render pipeline allows the creation of a breathtaking world coming to life by pushing the limits of 2D pixel-art games.
• The Sabotage treatment on the turn-based RPG genre – Every system has been deeply analyzed to create an experience that pays respect to retro classics, while reworking some elements to offer a modernized experience free of irritants and timesinks.

Sea of Stars launches 2022 for Windows PC via Steam, and unannounced consoles.