Sea of Stars has free post-game DLC, Throes of the Watchmaker, but Sabotage Studio’s official materials do not establish New Game Plus unlock steps or carryover rules. To start the DLC, install it separately, load a save that has rolled credits, accept Hortence’s bottle prompt on the world map, then speak to the crew below deck on the Vespertine.
How to start Throes of the Watchmaker
- Install the DLC separately. Find Throes of the Watchmaker in your platform’s storefront and download it; it is not delivered automatically as a game update. Sabotage’s DLC access instructions describe the requirement.
- Load a save that has rolled credits at least once. The official instructions specify a save with end credits; they do not say that merely reaching the final area is enough.
- Return to the world map and accept Hortence’s message-in-a-bottle prompt.
- Go below deck on the Vespertine and speak with the pirate crew. This begins the side adventure.
The DLC was released May 20, 2025, and is free. The mobile launch update from April 2026 says the mobile edition includes the main adventure but not Throes; Sabotage said a mobile port might be explored depending on interest and engagement. Check the current listing for your platform, since availability can change. Sabotage’s access and mobile information.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Sea of Stars - Nintendo Switch | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Sea of Stars - Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41C2ebrSUoL._SL160_.jpg)
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Sea of Stars - Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Sea of Stars - Switch | $42.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Kirby Star Allies - Nintendo Switch | $52.89 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Minecraft - Nintendo Switch | $29.83 | Buy on Amazon |
What New Game Plus carries over—and what is confirmed
Sabotage’s April 2025 announcement called Throes of the Watchmaker “the perfect reason to begin a New Game+ playthrough,” but that promotional line does not explain how to unlock or start New Game Plus, what carries over, or whether a New Game Plus file must roll credits before the DLC prompt appears. The official DLC instructions say only that the save must have rolled credits at least once. They do not clarify whether a completed original save is sufficient when playing from a New Game Plus slot. Official DLC access instructions.
Accordingly, the exact post-credits menu flow, carryover of levels, equipment, inventory, collectibles, quest flags, abilities and relics, and the DLC gate’s interaction with a New Game Plus save are not established by the cited official documentation. Treat any specific carryover list or unlock recipe as unconfirmed unless it comes from current, version-specific documentation.
#1 Best Overall
- A Turn-Based RPG Inspired by the Classics!
- Engaging Turn-Based Combat - Timed hits, combo attacks, boosting, damage types and spellbreaking.
- Unshackled Traversal - Swim, climb, vault, jump off or hoist up as you traverse the world seamlessly.
- A Story Rich Adventure - Dozens of characters and story arcs will take you on a captivating journey. A World You Can Touch - Need a change of pace? Go sailing, cooking, fishing or find a tavern to relax.
- The retail version includes: a double-sided poster with artwork by Bryce Kho.
What Throes of the Watchmaker adds
The side adventure sends Zale and Valere to Horloge, a miniature clockwork world threatened by a cursed carnival. Sabotage describes the DLC as offering over 8 hours of new areas, music, dungeons, mini-games, enemies, bosses and puzzles; that is the developer’s scope estimate, not a guaranteed playtime. Sabotage’s Throes press kit.
- New combat roles: Zale becomes a Juggler and Valere an Acrobat.
- A playable addition: Artificer (Arty) joins the party.
- Local co-op: Up to three players can explore and fight using the “Co-Op timed hits” mechanic.
How the free updates differ from the DLC
| Release | What it is | Access and scope |
|---|---|---|
| Dawn of Equinox | Free main-game update, released November 12, 2024. | Changes the campaign with three-player local co-op throughout, Combat 2.0 features including Mystery Locks and retained Combo Points, a revised prologue, a “Paths on Water” bonus scene, a Speedrunner Mode relic, difficulty presets, Quebec French localization and quality-of-life changes. Sabotage’s announcement. |
| Throes of the Watchmaker | Free, separately installed story DLC, released May 20, 2025. | A post-game adventure in Horloge; start it from a save that has rolled credits using the bottle prompt and Vespertine crew. Press kit and access instructions. |
| Sunset Edition | Free update announced June 8, 2026, described by Sabotage as the final update. | Adds a cinematic opening, extends a flashback with sprite-based storytelling, and revisits Normal and Hard balancing. The announcement lists PC (Steam and GOG), Nintendo Switch 1/2, PlayStation 4/5, and Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One; Switch 2 supports GameShare. Sunset Edition announcement. |
Sabotage’s official FAQ says no further updates or DLC are planned. Its June 2026 announcement reported that more than 6 million people had played Sea of Stars; that is the studio’s player figure, not independently audited sales. Official FAQ and Sunset Edition announcement.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
Rank #4
- Use friend hearts to charm enemies and they'll fight alongside you! drop-in/drop-out co-op: up to three other players can take control of Kirby's new friends
- Play through the entire game with up to four players or with CPU friends Kirby and his friends have fresh moves thanks to new and expanded Copy abilities
- Combine abilities with elements such as wind and water to create new friend abilities some bosses and enemies are weak to certain elemental attacks, so remember to Strategize
- Battery: no battery used;Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Cartoon violence
Rank #3
- A Turn-Based RPG Inspired by the Classics!
- Engaging Turn-Based Combat - Timed hits, combo attacks, boosting, damage types and spellbreaking.
- Unshackled Traversal - Swim, climb, vault, jump off or hoist up as you traverse the world seamlessly.
- A Story Rich Adventure - Dozens of characters and story arcs will take you on a captivating journey.
- A World You Can Touch - Need a change of pace? Go sailing, cooking, fishing or find a tavern to relax.
Rank #2
- Engaging Turn-Based Combat - Timed hits, combo attacks, boosting, damage types and spellbreaking.
- Unshackled Traversal - Swim, climb, vault, jump off or hoist up as you traverse the world seamlessly.
- A Story Rich Adventure - Dozens of characters and story arcs will take you on a captivating journey.
- A World You Can Touch - Need a change of pace? Go sailing, cooking, fishing or find a tavern to relax.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
