Summary
Thanks to the precedent established by some of the luminaries in the genre early on, RPGs are often associated with their protagonists. After all, these are the heroes that players will use as their avatars throughout dozens of hours of adventure, growing to appreciate and connect with them and their companions as if a part of their actual lives.Sea of Starsis resonating with fans of the 16 and 32-bit classics of the RPG genre not just for its gameplay, but also for its compelling and heartfelt narrative and absolutely pitch-perfect tone. In terms of whoSea of Stars' main character is, that distinction goes to the affable Garl rather than either of the game’s Solstice Warriors.
Despite the fact thatSea of Starsgives players a choicebetween controlling Zale or Valere to lead the party, it’s Garl who acts as the true heart and soul of the game’s narrative. The game even begins with a flashback sequence detailing the important connection these three characters share since childhood, and when the introductory section ofSea of Starsconcludes, both Zale and Valere’s main concern boils down to “Where’s Garl?” as they depart Mooncradle Village. Garl isn’t just the linchpin of the game’s emotional resonance, he’s a brilliant representation of the player’s place inSea of Stars' story.
RELATED:One of Sea of Stars' Best Features Is Off the Beaten Path
Garl is the Beating Heart Within Sea of Stars
Even though Zale and Valere arethe faces ofSea of Starsand the two characters through which the game’s story is told, Garl is the glue that binds them together and helps to communicate the true message of the game’s narrative. When the odds are stacked against the party, and it seems that there’s no hope of stopping the Dwellers, Garl’s unbridled optimism and sense of hope act as a beacon in the darkness to keep Zale and Valere grounded. He might not be a Solstice Warrior, but Garl doesn’t care—his primary concern is to help others, especially his two childhood best friends.
The purity present in Garl’s personality isn’t presented as naivety but rather a valuable lesson for how the rest ofSea of Stars' characters should approach adversity. As a result, his endless enthusiasm and optimism come off as earnest and endearing rather than using his characterization as a foil for some bitter subplot about the futility of fighting against destiny.Sea of Stars' taleis ultimately one of hope and choosing to live life on individual terms, and these themes resonate through every moment of Garl’s time on-screen.
As the Party’s Resident Healer, Garl is Practically Irreplaceable
As if his position of being the emotional litmus of the party weren’t enough to make the case for Garl beingSea of Stars’main character, his utility in combat certainly covers the slack.Sea of Starsis an excellently balanced game, but it can occasionally present some very challenging encounters that stretch the limits of players' ability and mastery of its mechanics. As such, having a healer on board is nearly essential, and this isa role that Garl fulfillsfor the first large chunk of the player’s journey. More than that, he is the party’s resident cook. The food that characters prepare at each campsite is presumably cooked by Garl, and these meals are literal lifesavers.
Garl is also no slouch when it comes to physical prowess. Especially against enemies who are weak to physical attacks and strong against magic, Garl’s presence in the party as both the resident healer and tank makes him one of the best constantcompanions inSea of Stars' roster. His considerable offensive and defensive capabilities make him something of an immovable force, and his ability to heal the party for massive amounts of HP only sweetens the deal. He may not have been born during a solar eclipse or have trained at the Zenith Academy, but there’s no way Zale and Valere’s journey is successful without their childhood best friend Gale by their side.
Sea of Starsis available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
