We had the chance to participate in a closed technical playtest for Sea of Remnants - the upcoming ocean adventure RPG from Joker Studios, known for Identity V. After spending around eight hours with the game, we’re more than excited about what’s to come. Here’s why.
Note: We were kindly invited by NetEase to join the test, but our opinions are entirely our own. This article is not sponsored.
What Is Sea of Remnants?Sea of Remnants is currently in closed playtesting, with a global release planned for next year. It blends turn-based combat with rich RPG elements, featuring both co-op and MMO functionalities - although details on those are still under wraps.
The game invites players to explore the sea on their own ship, with a central hub called Orbtopia acting as a base filled with shops, minigames, and secrets. Expeditions to islands, encounters with sea creatures, and story-altering decisions make for a truly immersive experience. One example? Defeating monsters on a remote island caused pirates to build a settlement there upon our return. These subtle world reactions elevate the sense of impact and depth.
Your Story BeginsYou start the game as a puppet folk sailor adrift at sea, memory wiped clean. After washing ashore, you wake in Sigmund’s office and shape your character by choosing wood tone, face, hair, and clothing. Customization options were already extensive - and yes, female body types are coming later.
From there, Orbtopia becomes your playground. The world is vibrant and full of motion - from fluttering cloth to unique NPCs. Our first major encounter: a bar brawl, courtesy of a charismatic blonde pirate, leading straight into our first taste of combat.
The turn-based system feels familiar for players of games like Baldur’s Gate 3 or Honkai Star Rail, but still fresh. Strategy matters: cooldowns, ultimate skills, stances, and weaknesses layer the gameplay with complexity. Later on, you’ll unlock even more abilities and combat mechanics.
After escaping the pub, the blonde pirate - now our first crew member, RS - teaches us to cook, and we finally explore the items in our lockbox. We choose a name and head off to sea. Within the first 30 minutes, we’re already exploring a secret island and immersed in the mystery of our forgotten past.
"It feels like you’re part of a movie." That’s how we’d describe the atmosphere. Whether it’s talking with RS, uncovering treasure, or playing rhythm games with a parrot, everything feels handcrafted and engaging.
- Detailed environments with dynamic weather and movement
- Organic dialogue that’s witty and never bloated
- Side activities that genuinely pull you in
We found ourselves wanting to explore behind every waterfall (yes, there was treasure), cook every meal, and beat every high score in the pub’s minigames.
One of the strongest points is the character design. These aren’t generic avatars. Think tabletop RPGs with flair: Jasmine, a tailor, wields giant scissors and wears a dress made of measuring tape. We had access to six characters during the test, each with unique playstyles and backstories.
Characters fall into six main classes called monikers, which evolve into more specialized paths. For example, Jasmine starts as a Cutthroat, which can branch into roles like Reef Queen or Scented Witch (names may still change). Each path alters gameplay significantly, bolstered by passive abilities you pick as you level up.
Character growth is tied to actual usage. You fight, you grow. You explore, you find loot. Unlike other RPGs with rigid upgrade systems, Sea of Remnants lets you play and develop organically - no farming gear from repetitive dungeons.
Exploration is grounded and realistic. There are no grappling hooks or vertical wall climbs. Instead, your characters jump, swim, and climb where it makes sense. We are turning a blind eye on 'traversal by cannon blast' here - this is obviously authentic pirate lore!
The world feels alive: villagers go about their day, stores sell useful items, and exploration is richly rewarded. We loved the collection systems, like unlocking recipes, discovering vistas, or completing exploration logs. They offer tangible rewards while encouraging deeper interaction.
Sailing is a major part of the game and impressively deep. You can equip different ships with unique functions, assign your crew to ship stations, and upgrade those with items like cannons. Sea battles range from skirmishes with rowboats to massive boss fights - and they’re anything but static.
You navigate hazards, manage cooldowns, repair damage, and command your crew. And when the seas calm, you can autopilot your vessel and walk the deck in third-person view. That seamless transition between ship and player is one of the coolest features we’ve seen.
Minigames For Fun And RewardsAnd then there are the minigames: goose chess, mahjong, hidden puzzle keys, locked cages, and more. Exploration constantly pays off with surprises and treasure. And these are not just a way to get more rewards, they're actually fun to play - how refreshing!
Combat allows for a party of three (with a fourth slot unlocked later). Beyond the traditional turn-based core, there’s a luck mechanic for bonus effects and something called Rogue Luck for additional turns. Expect familiar RPG mechanics like taunts, buffs, heals, and equipment effects - but in a system that feels accessible from the start.
There’s also an autoplay feature for those who want a more relaxed experience. While it’s not perfect yet, we’re confident it’ll be polished by release. Bosses, of course, are best tackled manually for the full thrill.
We genuinely looked for drawbacks, but aside from a certain hamster not getting enough screen time, there was little to critique.
From atmosphere and storytelling to combat and customization, Sea of Remnants is shaping up to be something special. If this early build is any indication, the full launch is going to be a standout moment for RPG fans.
We’re grateful to NetEase for letting us experience the game early - and now we can’t wait to set sail again.
See you soon in Orbtopia!
Watch our videoIf you're as excited now as we were while playing Sea of Remnants, be sure to check out our full video below - we’re pretty sure you’ll love it!