Sea of Stars, the highly anticipated JRPG, has garnered critical acclaim, earning an impressive 4.5/5 stars in our review. Not only that, but it has been praised by gamers and critics alike, quickly making its way into the conversation for Game of the Year alongside heavyweights such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Baldur’s Gate 3.
The Rankings
Currently, Sea of Stars holds a stellar score of 95 on OpenCritic’s top games of 2023, securing its place in third position, just behind Baldur’s Gate 3 and Tears of the Kingdom. MetaCritic, on the other hand, rates the game at 91 on Switch, ranking it 11th for the year, and at 21st on PS5 with a score of 90. To put it into perspective, Sabotage’s previous game, The Messenger, another remarkable Metroidvania title, sits at a respectable 86 on both platforms.
However, it’s crucial to note that the review aggregation is still ongoing. OpenCritic, in particular, is lacking several significant reviews for Sea of Stars, especially those hovering around the 4/5 mark. Similarly, MetaCritic’s score is fluid, with Sea of Stars recently dropping from a consolidated 91 to an average of 90 across three platform-specific ratings. Thus, the overall reception may still change.
MetaCritic’s 2023 roundup presents a confusing array of rankings, including DLCs, remasters, and multiple versions of games released on different platforms. Among the cluttered list are titles like Metroid Prime Remastered, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition for Xbox Series X, and Tetris Effect: Connected for PS5. Even Street Fighter 6 has three different entries at various positions. Additionally, the inclusion of Quake 2 Enhanced Edition and Persona 4 Golden further convolutes the rankings.
Despite the cluttered and confusing list on MetaCritic, Sea of Stars undeniably holds its own among heavyweight titles. If we were to simplify the rankings, removing the older ports and repetitions, the game still finds itself in impressive company, alongside the likes of Baldur’s Gate 3, Tears of the Kingdom, Resident Evil 4, Street Fighter 6, and Diablo 4. For an independent JRPG, this is undoubtedly an extraordinary achievement.
Sea of Stars has captured the attention of the gaming community and critics alike with its compelling gameplay and captivating storyline. While there are still ongoing reviews to be considered, the game’s current scores on OpenCritic and MetaCritic solidify its position as a serious contender for Game of the Year. Despite the confusion caused by the rankings on MetaCritic, Sea of Stars remains an indie JRPG that has managed to hold its ground among some of the industry’s biggest titans. Whether it ultimately claims the coveted title or not, Sea of Stars has undoubtedly proven itself to be a standout experience that should not be overlooked by JRPG enthusiasts.
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