Sabotage Studio, the developer and publisher behind the acclaimed indie RPG Sea of Stars, released a massive update titled Dawn of Equinox.
Available today, this free update brings a slew of new features, mechanics, and enhancements that Sabotage Studio describes as the ultimate realization of its vision for the turn-based RPG.
The Dawn of Equinox update introduces a range of quality of life improvements and new features, beginning with a local co-op mode that allows up to three players to experience the game’s story together. Co-op works the same as the original, but other players will have to adjust to the modified Timed Hits mechanic.
One significant change in the update is a significant rework with the game’s combat system.
The addition of ‘Mystery Locks’ encourages players to break enemy spells by experimenting with different attack types. This adds a layer of depth to every encounter as players retain Combo Points. Additionally, with the new ‘Reveal’ function, this enhances each character’s special abilities, further adding a dynamic turn-based experience.
New or old players can also enjoy a revamped prologue, now allowing players to experience the protagonists’ childhood directly instead of through flashbacks. This is in conjunction with Dawn of Equinox’s newly added cutscene titled ‘Paths on Water’, which highlights a key moment in the story.
These brand new narrative beats are completely new and not present in the original.
Other things included in the update are new speedrunning tools, French localization, customizable difficulty, and more. For more information, check out their blogpost on PlayStation here.
Inspired by the 90s golden age of role-playing games, Sea of Stars has already attracted more than 5 million players since its initial release. It is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One.
Since its debut, Sea of Stars has garnered critical praise and awards, including the title of Best Independent Game at The Game Awards. It gained above average playscores, ranging from 8.8 for PC and 9.1 for the Nintendo Switch. It also has a playscore of 9.1 on the PS5, making it one of the best PS5 JRPGs.
With the Dawn of Equinox update, Sabotage Studio aims to cement this version of Sea Of Stars as the definitive experience for all players. ‘Throes of the Watchmaker’, the next major update, will introduce a fresh storyline and character, leading players into a mysterious clockwork world plagued by a cursed carnival. This DLC will also feature the newly launched local co-op mode.
The game is available for $34.99 and free to Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass subscribers.