Highlights
- Sabotage Studio is developing a DLC called Throes of the Watchmaker for their game Sea of Stars, which was funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign.
- The DLC is expected to be a side adventure to the main campaign, featuring the character the Watchmaker and a "clockwork conundrum".
- Players may have the opportunity to return to the Clockwork Castle and accompany the Watchmaker on an extended adventure, and there is speculation that she may become a playable party member with her own elemental attacks.
It's only been a little over a month since the game's release, but already fans of Sabotage Studio's latest game Sea of Stars are eager to get more of what is, by all accounts, one of the best games of 2023. The indie RPG sleeper-hit is only the second game from Sabotage Studio, and Sea of Stars' hugely successful Kickstarter campaign outlined that a full-fledged DLC would be coming as one of the stretch goals. That goal was met and subsequently surpassed, and recently Sabotage Studio acknowledged that development on the DLC was currently underway with one of its smaller internal teams spearheading its creation.
Dubbed the Throes of the Watchmaker, little concrete information is known about this additional adventure as of right now. Sabotage Studio has not revealed a release date or even a potential release window, but the wording from the Kickstarter campaign states that players can reasonably expect a full side adventure to the main campaign of Sea of Stars along with what the developer is cryptically referring to as a "clockwork conundrum". However, given that the Watchmaker is a character from the main game introduced during a pivotal moment, there's at least some information to go on regarding what might be included in this highly-anticipated DLC.
How the Watchmaker Factors Into Sea of Stars
Before players even meet the Watchmaker within the confines of the Clockwork Castle, it's possible to get a sense of just who she is based on the prevalence of her game across Sea of Stars' world. The Watchmaker is the mastermind behind Sea of Stars' incredible Wheels mini-game that players can engage in various locations across the game's world, and besting each of the other tables in a championship game opens up the opportunity for players to challenge the Watchmaker herself at the Wheels table in her workshop.
Once players meet the Watchmaker during the assault on the Clockwork Castle, there's a playful sense to the character in that she claims neutrality to the conflict between the Solstice Warriors and the Dwellers, yet provides them with direct help in their quest while feigning ignorance. While she doesn't come out and claim to be an ally to the party of heroes, it's clear that she is a force for good that can be counted on. Given how great the writing and character development are among Sea of Stars' enigmatic cast, it will be interesting to see how a DLC focused on the Watchmaker and her complex characterization will play out.
What Sea of Stars' Throes of the Watchmaker DLC Might Entail
In terms of what players can expect in the Throes of the Watchmaker DLC, there are two options for how this side adventure factors into Sea of Stars' main quest. It's likely that, rather than having the DLC be a separate quest entirely, players will have the opportunity to return to the Clockwork Castle and accompany the Watchmaker on an extended adventure through this climactic location after their initial visit in the main story. While this hasn't been confirmed by Sabotage Studio, the emotional ending to Sea of Stars might feel somewhat dampened if players were to go on a secondary adventure that takes place after the credits roll.
With the Watchmaker being an interesting side character and unofficial ally to Zale and Valere, it would make sense for the DLC to include her as a new playable party member, complete with her own elemental attacks and combo synergies with other heroes. Additionally, one would hope that the Wheels mini-game will get some subtle expansions as part of the DLC given that it's the creation of the Watchmaker and a prevalent fixture across Sea of Stars' world. Regardless of what the DLC includes, anyone who has spent time with Sea of Stars can attest that more of Sabotage Studio's excellent RPG would never be a bad thing.
Sea of Stars is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
