Throwback RPG Sea of Stars Gets Free, Game-Changing Update in November on PS5, PS4

Dawn of Equinox

by Stephen Tailby 5pm

Throwback RPG Sea of Stars Gets Free, Game-Changing Update in November on PS5, PS4 1

Sea of Stars, the retro-inspired RPG from Sabotage Studio, is not only getting a DLC expansion, it's also set to receive a massive update — free for all players. Dubbed Dawn of Equinox, this massive patch now has a release date of 12th November, and the developer has revealed a bunch of details about what it brings to the game.

The headline addition is local co-op support for up to three players. You'll be able to enjoy the entire campaign alongside your pals, and it even includes a new co-op timed hits mechanic in combat, rewarding coordinated button presses.

Combat overall has been given an overhaul, too. A new Mystery Locks mechanic makes new enemy encounters slightly more challenging as you'll need to unlock which spells are best to counter them. Additionally, Combo Points will persist from one encounter to the next, allowing you to carry over your built-up points and start on a stronger footing. Finally, the whole game has received a balancing pass, based on feedback from players and to incorporate these new features.

Some other new features coming with Dawn of Equinox:

The prologue has been restructured; it now begins in the characters' childhood, and does away with the flashback nature of the old version.
A new cinematic scene has been added to a specific moment during the adventure.
A speedrunner mode relic can be activated to help track your playtime.
Three difficulty options can be chosen at the start of the game, utilising the pre-existing relics, which you can alter during the game too.
The Parrot relic, which hints at collectibles throughout the game, has been improved.
A new Quebecois localisation has been implemented.
Numerous other quality-of-life improvements have been added throughout the game.

It sounds like a very robust update to what is already a great game. We could've done with a better Parrot relic a little sooner, but better late than never! Again, this update comes a couple of months before the DLC, Throes of the Watchmaker — a free side story campaign, set to release early next year.

Are you excited for Sea of Stars' big update? Will you be playing the campaign in co-op? Let us know in the comments section below.

Stephen has been part of the Push Square team for over six years, bringing boundless enthusiasm and a deep knowledge of video games to his role as Assistant Editor. Having grown up playing every PlayStation console to date, he's developed an eclectic taste, with particular passion for indie games, arcade racers, and puzzlers. He's also our go-to guy for Sonic-related matters, much to his delight/chagrin.

1
danzoEX
5:10pm

Unless it has new co-op trophies, I will not be double dipping as I already PLATINUMED the game!

I would imagine the other player/s only control a character during battle and just watch player one roam around the levels? If so, my partner would pass on that, and I would be the same. Cool for those who don't mind not doing anything and watching though.

3
Kraven
5:13pm

Wow, this is a hefty update. I’ll probably check it out because I’ve been wanting to replay it to get the platinum trophy. I found the game a little too long, and it dragged on at the end, and I became burned out on it. But this seems like a pretty good excuse to check the game out again.

4
MARl0
5:15pm

Honestly, the only thing that really needed changing is the removal of the horrendous fetch quest requirement at the end of the game to unlock the remainder of the game and ending. And it doesn't sound like that was fixed.

5
Quintumply
5:39pm

@MARl0 Hopefully the parrot's improvements will make that portion a little easier.

6
Jey887
5:45pm

Awesome. Sea of Stars has been one of my favourite games this year. I'll replay the whole thing when the DLC drops.

7
Stuffgamer1
5:51pm

Why change the prologue structure? I thought it was a really smart setup, giving the player a small taste of combat before the backstory kicks in.

That's interesting. I thought I would like this but struggled to get into it, partly due to the long introduction being a flashback. For some reason that wound me up..!