Evaluating an excessive Downloadable Content can be challenging as it seems like I’m being overly critical about every detail. However, remember, it’s complimentary, so the only thing you risk losing is time.
In the game “Sea of Stars: Throes of the Watchmaker,” you’ll find 8 hours of fresh content. However, if you’re not feeling up to it or didn’t enjoy the original Sea of Stars for any particular reason, this 8 hours might not be time well-spent for you.
If you adored Sea of Stars, haven’t revisited it in the past two years, and are craving more puzzles, platforming, turn-based battles, and epic boss fights, then you’re in for a delight! Throes of the Watchmaker offers a similar experience, with some minor adjustments, so fans of RPGs know precisely what they’re getting.
Following approximately 8 hours of gameplay, earning every trophy, and unearthing a hidden truth once I gathered all Time Runes, I am now prepared to share my thoughts on my Sea of Stars: The Watchmaker’s Throes adventure in this review.
Giving Love To The Protagonists
In the tale of The Throes of the Watchmaker, we find ourselves assisting an artisan known as the Watchmaker. This character played a significant role in constructing the Clockwork Castle alongside the Fleshmancer previously. Yet, it seems that the Fleshmancer was secretive about his malicious intentions, or simply chose to overlook them. As a result, a defective gear, tainted with corruption, was surreptitiously placed among the Watchmaker’s supplies in his workshop.
In due course, the Clockmaker crafted an incredibly complex clock, resulting in a miniature universe emerging within its workings. To her dismay, she incorporated a malevolent gear, subtly provided by the Manipulator of Flesh, which was none other than an Embryo of Malice.
During the watchmaker’s exploration of the world within the clock known as Horloge, her life force was siphoned away by the Seed of Wickedness. As a result, a malevolent counterpart emerged, taking on the form of the Puppeteer.
When the Watchmaker calls upon me and my companions, Zale and Valere, to aid her in saving the world within the clockwork realm of Horloge, I am struck by the offer she extends: the restoration of Keenathan’s name. This compelling proposition sparks our warrior spirit, propelling us forward on a fresh adventure.
This argument also explains why several of our fellow party members choose not to enter Horloge – considering that if everyone went in, we’d face numerous malicious duplicates. That’s why the Artificer serves as our third playable character. Since he’s a machine, he essentially lacks a soul or essence.
In essence, the storyline in Throes of the Watchmaker isn’t particularly revolutionary; it involves a goal being reached. However, what truly stands out is that Sabotage Studios used the introduction of the evil twins as a means to delve deeper into the characters of Zale and Valere, giving them more complexity, which I found lacking in these protagonists previously.
We encounter the twins of the main characters surprisingly quickly, showcasing the most sinister aspects that reside within each Solstice Warrior.
Zale’s twin is excessively self-absorbed, suggesting that his heroic status was more about seeking admiration rather than altruism. Conversely, Valere’s twin is fiery and relentless, implying that her discipline and determination are masking a desire to cause destruction rather than genuine resolve.
Should you dive into The Watchmaker’s Turmoil seeking an uncommon tale or intricate plotline, you could find yourself let down.
Initially, Sea of Stars had an intriguing premise. However, my primary concern was the uniformity of the characters, making it difficult to distinguish who was speaking without looking at their portraits. It seems that the developers considered this feedback and made efforts to address it, but even though they’ve shown a more vulnerable and negative side for both characters, I feel that these changes came too late and are not sufficient.
Regardless of the efforts made by DLC, the primary narrative in Sea of Stars stays consistent. Characters like Zale and Valere continue to find themselves eclipsed by Garl without any justification, their significant role lying solely in their possession of Solstice Warrior abilities.
While I acknowledge the intention to provide them with greater individuality, it’s hard not to perceive this as a sweetener for an issue that, regrettably, can no longer be remedied, given that the DLC represents entirely additional content.
If you’re diving into “Throes of the Watchmaker” hoping for an uncommon tale or ingenious plotline, you could be left feeling unsatisfied. Although there’s sincerity and effort evident, it doesn’t quite manage to compensate for the primary campaign’s flaws, and the new narrative isn’t particularly noteworthy.
Fresh Character, New Classes, Same Battle
To begin with, the DLC completely refreshes your characters’ advancement. There are no levels, no gear, no abilities, or combat techniques. Characters like Zale and Valere switch to different roles, whereas the new character, Arty, begins anew from the ground up.
It felt fantastic revisiting Sea of Stars after a gap of two years. The experience served as a refresher for me. Plus, not much time elapsed before we began picking up fresh abilities or advancing in levels.
Similar to the original version, the stage progress is communal among the team members, meaning that as we reach an Experience (XP) milestone, everyone becomes stronger. However, unlike before, instead of individually selecting a stat to boost for each character, their stats now improve automatically.
Additionally, there are just six tiers in all, known as Renown. As you progress through each level, you’ll learn fresh abilities and combination moves, thereby enhancing our collection of skills and introducing more diversity to the gameplay. Each skill also includes a unique battle trick.
Zale’s role has transitioned into a Juggler, where he throws flaming torches at our foes, scoring more successful hits as we master the rhythm of the throw. Valere, on the other hand, demonstrates his agility as an Acrobat, while Arty is a mechanical entity specializing in robot-related tasks.
Initially, the new classes in the game seemed like a welcome change, revitalizing my enthusiasm for battle without flooding me with an excessive number of choices. Swiftly, I regained familiarity with the locking system, combos, and boosting mechanics, allowing me to effortlessly immerse myself once more in this nostalgic turn-based combat experience.
Then, suddenly, it struck me. The Throes of the Watchmaker seemed wholly committed to familiarizing me once more with the Sea of Stars universe. It’s as if it had sensed my long absence from the game and meticulously eased me back into its mechanics, avoiding overly explicit guidance yet still making it feel like a fresh experience for me. This thoughtful approach was evident not just in the combat and advancement systems, but throughout the entire DLC.
Re-Learning The Ropes
In the game’s opening, the DLC cleverly placed a grappling point within my reach, serving as a gentle reminder about my trusty grappling hook. Then, it unveiled some movable crates that could be propelled with a burst of air, and pressure pads that needed a leap from above to trigger. Essentially, it offered a refresher course, helping me brush up on the basics.
It seems to me that Throes of the Watchmaker might not be a DLC intended for newcomers to Sea of Stars. Rather, it appears tailored towards players who have been away from the game and are familiar with its lore and mechanics.
If I were new to Sea of Stars and found myself in the world of Horloge, the design might have appeared repetitive or even condescending at first, although I don’t mean this negatively. In truth, these frequent reminders were helpful for me, but it’s worth mentioning for potential players considering the DLC.
Rediscovering Sea of Stars in Throes of the Watchmaker brought immense pleasure, a delight heightened by my preexisting affection for the original game.
Absolutely, Throes of the Watchmaker offers some fresh elements and updates. In the initial town, you’ll find three mini-games that leverage the unique abilities of your party members. One of these games is the reappearing Wheels minigame, and we have a new addition called the Warlock this time around.
In the second dungeon, you’ll stumble upon a novel device that opens up an entirely fresh kind of puzzle, quite inventive if I may add. Unfortunately, by the conclusion of the DLC, it felt like I was merely playing the same game, albeit with a different appearance.
In essence, it’s as if they’ve grown into a completely new form, for Zale and Valere swap wardrobes whenever they transition between classes. This transformation introduces fresh adversaries, each with distinct skills, harmonious soundtracks masterfully crafted by Eric Barone and Yasunori Mitsuda, and an entire collection of unique visual narratives that beautifully resurface the nostalgic, enchanting charm of Sea of Stars.
As a sidenote, I must commend the creativity of the bosses’ designs. One boss incorporates the Wheels minigame into its combat mechanics, making it not only fitting with the storyline but also incredibly enjoyable to play.
As a devoted fan of Sea of Stars, diving back into the world via Throes of the Watchmaker was pure bliss – a sentiment born from my deep affection for the original game. For those newcomers or players who left the base game mid-journey, this DLC might not be as rewarding; it could seem more like an overloaded replay than a heartwarming reunion with an old favorite. But for someone like me, who’s waited patiently to return to their cherished game world, Throes of the Watchmaker was the perfect opportunity for a nostalgic adventure.
Closing Thoughts
Throes of the Watchmaker seems a heartfelt tribute from Sabotage Studios to the players and supporters who backed Sea of Stars. This expansion doesn’t aim to redefine gaming, but instead refines the core gameplay experience by adding new elements while maintaining the original essence. The DLC’s strongest point lies in its efforts to develop the characters Zale and Valere further, though these enhancements may feel like a sweetener masking an underlying issue that can’t be resolved. If you’re yearning for more Sea of Stars, Throes of the Watchmaker is worth exploring. However, if you’re not already a fan, it might not offer enough new content to warrant your time.
| Score | 8/10 |
|---|---|
| Reviewed On PlayStation 5 | |
| Pros | Cons |
| Re-teaches the systems for those who forgot | The plot is nothing special |
| New classes and revamped characters freshen up the combat | Tries to sugarcoat some base game issues, but to no avail |
| Dungeon puzzles are still fun | |
| Boss designs are wonderful | |
| Beautiful cinematics and gorgeous soundtrack | |
| It’s free! | |
Read More
- Top 8 UFC 5 Perks Every Fighter Should Use
- Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon – Everything You Need to Know
- Tainted Grail The Fall of Avalon: How To Romance Alissa
- Tainted Grail the Fall of Avalon: Should You Turn in Vidar?
- AI16Z PREDICTION. AI16Z cryptocurrency
- Nine Sols: 6 Best Jin Farming Methods
- Delta Force: K437 Guide (Best Build & How to Unlock)
- USD ILS PREDICTION
- One Piece Episode 1130: The Shocking Truth Behind Kuma’s Past Revealed!
- Rick and Morty S8 Ep1 Release Date SHOCK! You Won’t Believe When!
2025-05-21 23:40