Stunning new free-to-play pirate RPG could cure your post Expedition 33 blues

Clair Obscur Expedition 33 is one of those special games that's so good it leaves a hole in your heart once it's over. Its stunning worlds, sweeping soundtrack, and stylish combat are tough to match – but a potential answer to that longing is now sailing over the horizon. Sea of Remnants is an upcoming, free-to-play pirate RPG that has just staked its claim in emphatic style with an impressive trailer.

Built by Joker Studio and published by Netease Games, Sea of Remnants is a new turn-based RPG with a distinctive puppet style. While the seabound setting and initial glimpses of its visuals call Sea of Thieves to mind, the longer I watch, the more those Expedition 33 vibes kick in, especially as brief flashes of combat send damage numbers flying across the screen. I'm also a big fan of the character designs, which introduce a slight surrealism that extends to the environments, monsters, and cities alike.

"This is an infinite voyage looping between death and rebirth – a journey where we row forward, tirelessly, only to return to where it all began," the developer writes in a new blog. Your journey begins as an amnesiac sailor joined on his travels by a mysterious girl. The pair have different goals in mind, but their destinations are aligned; the Sea of Remnants, a mystical locale of legend, said to bear endless riches and renown.

Fall into the sea's cursed waters, however, and your very memories are stripped away, shaping the destinies of those yet to come. Perhaps when things get too rough, it's best to return to Orbtopia, a pirate city that welcomes all, even those swept in by the currents. Of course, you can expect all the things you'd want from the best pirate games to be found here. Your ship can be gradually upgraded and tweaked to your liking, making it easy to traverse through any storms the dynamic weather system throws your way.

You'll also be able to organize and equip your crew, designing outfits to make sure you present a united front. Seek out skilled NPCs and challenge them to games of mahjong, or have them run a shop for you or train you in new skills such as fishing and cooking. Orbtopia will grow and evolve as you return from your adventures, shifting in response to the choices you've made and the balance of power among the major factions.

Set to be a free Steam game at launch, Sea of Remnants also includes the ability to head online, teaming up with others to raid ships or "defeat vortex-dwelling monsters and colossal beasts that loom in storm-wracked skies." The islands you'll encounter also present a wide range of opportunities, from roaring volcanic lands to dense rainforests and beautiful beaches. Keep digging and who knows what ancient mysteries (and treasure) you might dig up?

Sea of Remnants is set to be launched in 2026 as a free game. For now, you can wishlist it on Steam to keep up to date with its progress.

There are plenty more great upcoming PC games to look forward to in the meantime, but if you need something more immediate, here are the best RPGs to play in 2025.

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