Turn-based RPGs aren't for everyone, and in the modern age of gaming and digital media, that's even more true. These days, it only takes a few seconds for someone to decide whether a YouTube or TikTok video is worth their time, so when a turn-based RPG asks them to pause after each action and consider the next one, it might be just as hard for them to engage in a slower pace. This is largely due to how modern audiences have been brought up to expect constant momentum and immediate feedback, rather than periodic pauses that encourage patience and reflection. Even so, the underrated RPG with a score of 87 on Metacritic proved a few years ago that turn-based games are going nowhere, and yet the success of such games continues to surprise.
In 2023, indie developer Sabotage Studios released a turn-based RPG Sea of stars to rave reviews, with the Nintendo Switch version even achieving universal acclaim according to Metacritic. Starting around the mid-2010s, turn-based RPGs were often labeled as slow, outdated, or too challenging for a wider audience, so publishers began to move away from them in favor of real-time combat that was more cinematic, modern, and accessible. The turn-based RPG was by no means dead in the water with similar games Person 5 and Divinity: Original Sin 2 be proof of that. However, success Sea of stars he showed that the genre's problem was never relevance, but perception. Yet every time a turn-based RPG finds real success, it still seems to catch people off guard.
Metacritic score of Sea of Stars by platform
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PC – 87
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PS5 – 87
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Xbox Series X|S – 89
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Nintendo Switch – 90's
For some reason, the success of turn-based games never ceases to amaze
The most recent example of this phenomenon is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33a turn-based RPG from 2025 that won more Game of the Year awards than Elden Ringcurrent record holder. Of course, many were surprised by its success, as draft systems were increasingly seen as niche and irrelevant. Even the game's developer was taken aback when creative director Guillaume Broche said in an interview with Edge Magazine (via GamesRadar ) that Clair ObscuroThe success was “completely unexpected by almost everyone”.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 It also topped The Game Awards in 2025, taking home a record 9 wins, including Game of the Year, Best RPG, and Best Indie Game.
However, its initial success gradually led to even more, as many of those who once dismissed the game for one reason or another told a different story after picking it up. For example, Michael “Shroud” Grzesiek has been vocal about his lack of interest Expedition 33 and she didn't want it to win at the Game Awards and even lobbied for another game to win instead. However, he didn't play it at all at first, and his public stance was shaped more by preferences and hype around other titles than actual RPG experience. After the game won several awards and people in his community urged him to try it, Shroud finally streamed Expedition 33 and he admitted that he enjoyed it more than he expected.
An all too familiar pattern that doesn't really make sense
At this point, the formula of turn-based RPG, surprise, turn-based RPG, surprise is all too familiar. A promising title is revealed, expectations are low, skepticism ensues, then it takes off and everyone acts like something totally unexpected just happened. Maybe that has something to do with it Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and even Sea of stars are better classified as hybrid turn-based RPGs that still require players to be on their toes at all times. Person 5 however, it is not a hybrid and is widely regarded as one of the best games of all time.
Success Sea of stars he showed that the genre's problem was never relevance, but perception.
Again, it just goes to show that the “decline” of turn-based RPGs is more than perception. Sure, there are people who just don't like the turn-based formula and probably never will, but that goes for any genre. The idea that it's completely irrelevant due to modern digital conditioning is simply not true because not only will there always be an audience for it, but the RPG genre has its roots there. The problem comes when publishers and developers continue to reinforce this idea by releasing non-turn-based games under the pretense that the genre is dead. Games like Final Fantasy 16 let's recall here, which was the first main series Final Fantasy to make the game fully real-time action with no turn-based or hybrid systems underneath, all because the developer felt that players didn't like turn-based games anymore. Ironically, it was launched just two months before Sea of stars.
Sea of Stars Proves Turn-Based Games Aren't Dead Before Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Leaves Its Mark
So how did it go Sea of stars managed to achieve the success it has, especially in an industry supposedly hostile to turn-based RPGs? A big part of that is how he met modern players halfway. While that, like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33it's unmistakably turn-based, rarely allowing players to pause for a moment. Timed attacks, active blocking, visible enemy intent, and a constant emphasis on rhythm and flow keep combat moving, even as the turn-based design slows things down. In essence, it respects the basics of the genre without requiring players to tolerate long stretches of inactivity.
The presentation also played a big role Sea of stars'positive reception. Its vibrant pixel art and expressive animations were also only half of it, as the soundtrack was praised as one of the game's standouts. It's clearly not trying to be just a nostalgic throwback, but instead something that's instantly readable and appealing even to players who would normally shy away from turn-based RPGs. Since first impressions are everything these days, the presentation of a game almost matters more than how it plays.
Most importantly, however, Sea of stars proved that the turn-based RPG audience wasn't going anywhere. Today, this honor could be relinquished Clair Obscur: Expedition 33but games like Sea of stars and even Person 5 or Chained Echoes before (another highly regarded turn-based RPG) helped clarify this point well in advance. None of these games succeeded by accident or despite being turn-based. Turn-based RPGs succeed when developers stop treating the format as a burden and start designing it with confidence. Sea of stars wasn't a sign of life for the genre, because apparently turn-based games never die. More than anything, it just seems to have been misunderstood and pushed aside.
- Released
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August 29, 2023
- ESRB
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E10+ for everyone 10+ for fantasy violence, mild gore, mild speech
- Developers
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Sabotage
- Publishers
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Sabotage
