Sea of Stars: Throes of the Watchmaker DLC Launches May 20 — New Classes, Clockwork Worlds, and Free for All Players

Throes of the Watchmaker Brings Zale and Valere Back for a Post-Game Adventure in Sea of Stars, Launching Free on May 20

Sabotage Studio, the award-winning team behind Sea of Stars, has officially announced the next chapter in its critically acclaimed RPG universe: Throes of the Watchmaker. Launching as a free post-game DLC on May 20, the new adventure takes players on an entirely original journey that reunites fan-favourite heroes Zale and Valere in a surreal, clockwork-themed realm unlike anything in the base game.

Available across PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One, Throes of the Watchmaker delivers a brand-new story, complete with a unique setting, new party member, reimagined combat roles, puzzles, and eight hours of compelling content—all at no additional cost.

Return of the Watchmaker and the World of Horloge

Throes of the Watchmaker revisits one of Sea of Stars’ most intriguing characters—the enigmatic Watchmaker, creator of the whimsical Clockwork Castle and the in-game tabletop game Wheels. This new DLC centers on the Watchmaker’s most ambitious creation: Horloge, a miniature mechanical world threatened by the haunting presence of a cursed carnival.

To navigate Horloge’s strange rules and time-bending puzzles, Zale and Valere must evolve their Solstice Warrior abilities in surprising new ways, embracing entirely new combat styles while mastering their connection to Sun and Moon magic.

Reader question: What would you do if you were trapped in a cursed clockwork carnival? Would you juggle your way to victory or flip through time itself?

New Roles, New Combos, New Party Member

Forget everything you know about Zale and Valere—this DLC transforms the duo with completely new combat classes:

• 🎪 Zale becomes a Juggler, trading his sword for a new flair in battlefield control, timing-based attacks, and chain combos.
• 🎭 Valere transforms into an Acrobat, leveraging agility and grace to deliver powerful strikes and support.
• 🤖 Introducing the Artificer, a brand-new playable party member who brings laser attacks and mechanized precision to your team.

These revamped roles and abilities introduce a self-contained progression loop perfect for veterans eager to test their skills or newcomers jumping in via New Game+.

A Fully Realized Story Expansion

Throes of the Watchmaker isn’t just a side quest—it’s a cinematically rich standalone tale, developed with the same narrative depth and animation quality as the main game. According to Sabotage, the DLC is designed to be played after completing Sea of Stars’ main story, offering a perfect reason to revisit your save file or begin a New Game+ journey.

With over eight hours of brand-new gameplay, the DLC introduces:

• 🗺️ All-new zones, puzzles, and secret areas
• 🧩 Time-based mechanics and carnival-themed enemy designs
• 🎶 A stirring original soundtrack from Eric W. Brown, with contributions from legendary Chrono Trigger composer Yasunori Mitsuda

A Free Gift for the Community

Following on the heels of the Dawn of the Equinox update, which brought local co-op and combat improvements, Throes of the Watchmaker reaffirms Sabotage Studio’s commitment to enriching Sea of Stars post-launch without charging fans. This is not a bite-sized add-on, but a full-fledged adventure offered free of charge.

If you already own Sea of Stars, this DLC will automatically become available when it drops on May 20. No separate download or purchase is required.

Critical Acclaim and Continuing Legacy

Sea of Stars originally launched in 2023 to rave reviews, hailed for its masterful pixel art, rich characters, and refined take on classic turn-based RPG combat. The game earned numerous accolades, including Best Independent Game at The Game Awards, and has since sold millions of copies.

With new updates, a growing fanbase, and now a full new storyline in Throes of the Watchmaker, Sea of Stars continues to shine as one of the standout indie RPGs of the decade.

Final Thoughts: A New Reason to Revisit a Modern Classic

Whether you’re drawn by nostalgia, excited to meet new characters, or just looking for an excuse to return to one of 2023’s most beloved games, Throes of the Watchmaker is a gift to the Sea of Stars community and a bold new chapter in the world Sabotage has crafted.

Will you leap Horloge, and stop the cursed carnival before it consumes the clockwork world? Or will time itself betray the Solstice Warriors?

Release Info at a Glance:

• Title: Sea of Stars: Throes of the Watchmaker
• Release Date: May 20, 2025
• Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
• Price: Free DLC (Requires base game)
• Playable after main game completion