Sometimes the best way to satisfy nostalgia is not to stomp all the way back to the core of the moment, but to focus on a modern interpretation of it. Nothing represents this philosophy better than Sea of starsa modern retro RPG that was also one of the best games of 2023. It went back to the 90s, to the best SNES RPGs, and enhanced those game systems with modern technology. It has the nostalgic design of those older games, but features several modern improvements.
When GameRant spoke with Sabotage Studio beforehand Sea of stars” release in 2023, CEO Thierry Boulanger explained that the team grew up playing games like Lufia, Illusion of Gaiaand Super Mario RPG, but as they felt, as time went on, the key elements of these classic RPGs changed, probably as the industry embraced more action RPGs. either way Sea of stars did exactly what Sabotage Studio wanted to do for SNES RPGs from the 90s and now, fans of this modern retro approach who played DragonFable in its heyday should take note of the new title, which takes a similar modern-retro approach: Echoes of the Stars.
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Echoes of the Stars takes the modern-retro charm of DragonFable
for the uninitiated, DragonFable is a browser-based free-to-play online RPG developed by Artix Entertainment that was released in June 2006. It is still playable as a browser game today. Its premise is simple: players create a hero and go on quests in a world full of dragons, magic and quirky characters. It uses simple turn-based combat with classes, equipment and pets, but its real focus is on the story. Many who played it no doubt remember it too DragonFable's cartoony art style, which is the first major interpretation Echoes of the Stars.
Echoes of the StarsThe art style looks like a painterly version DragonFable's cartoon art, which can be sorely missed or nostalgic as more and more games adopt realistic, pseudo-realistic, or more generally stylized art styles. Vision Echoes of the Stars it immediately brings back nostalgia DragonFablebecause it feels like a modern interpretation of a retro art style and it doesn't stop there. Actually, it pretty much sums it up Echoes of the Stars' relationship with DragonFable: it seems as if the second title from 2006 has been transformed into a modern indie RPG that retains all of its original strengths.
Arrange the covers in the correct US release order.
Start
Arrange the covers in the correct US release order.
Easy (5) Medium (7) Hard (10)
Both combine fantasy stories with unpredictable side content (from mini-games to NPC interactions) while Echoes of it Stars is perhaps more grandiose in that narrative, unafraid to be a silly, quirky video game, as is DragonFable. Both embrace JRPG tropes with their own unique twists, and both emphasize world-building, storytelling, and characters, not just combat. Of course, I don't mean that Echoes of the Stars is 100% DragonFable in 2026, because otherwise there would be no “modern” in the modern-retro approach. Echoes of the Stars has more action-packed combat and hand-crafted immersion, yet still has the same feel as DragonFable.
Echoes of the Stars is a new modern retro RPG on Steam and is nearing its final form
From Echoes of the StarsLast updated in January, the game is approaching the Early Alpha milestone: systems are connecting, story beats are landing, and scattered pieces are becoming a cohesive whole. This includes recent development arcs, including the implementation of the Quest Journal system, there are over 50,000 dialog cells in the game, and the complete cutscene backbone is complete. This developer's dream is coming true.
Echoes of the Stars you see Eldrik and Rin's epic journey unfold as they explore new biomes, gain skills, fight challenging enemies, unlock new abilities (other than skills), and play crazy minigames… as they take on fate and the gods themselves. From fighting cellar rats to gods, the most classic RPG arc of older video games.
Echoes of the Stars' Story is equal parts epic and humbling
IN Echoes of the StarsRin is a devoted princess and Eldric is an apprentice blacksmith with a mysterious past. They embark on a journey that bridges time, space and unknown worlds, focusing on themes of the human condition and the perceived power of the gods. In addition, fans can expect new takes on classic JRPG tropes (something DragonFable he did in his heyday) with heavy fantasy and sci-fi elements.
Matching its modern retro design is a key choice for players: Echoes of the Stars can be played with a fully voiced cast OR text only.
Echoes of the Stars' Combat is stylized to match the painting/drawing art
The easiest way to describe the combat is as an old-school action JRPG, but there are key elements that make it stand out (sometimes in ways that bring DragonFable). Players have high mobility abilities to avoid danger or teleport, and can strategically devise character changes. Players have ranged, melee, or spellcasting options, each of which can be further customized with a tech tree and the ability to create custom combos.
All of this takes place in biomes that make the most of his art style: lush forests, dank sewers, and blizzard-torn peaks. The inns are cozy, the teahouses diverse, and every interior highlights the same artistry as every exterior. It's simply a world to be explored.
Echoes of the Stars has zany mini-games
Echoes of the Stars it is not constantly serious as it brings mini-games and hidden objects DragonFablethere is a whim with it:
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Become sandwich artists
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Racing raptors
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Search for the world's greatest treasures
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(and more)
Echoes of the Stars' Modern-Retro Vibes could carry it a long way
Echoes of the Stars is basically DragonFableIts spirit has been rebuilt into a modern retro action RPG with art that feels like it was forgotten and evolving game systems that have been abandoned. That alone makes my books worth keeping an eye on.
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