If you’ve spent any time at all looping through the House of Change, you know the feeling of hitting a wall. Literally. Or maybe figuratively, watching Siffrin slowly lose their mind while trying to save a world that keeps resetting. But then there’s Isabeau. He’s the guy who smells like vanilla and sweat. He’s the Defender who somehow manages to keep the vibes high even when a King is about to freeze time forever. Honestly, In Stars and Time Isabeau isn't just a party member; he's the emotional anchor that makes the game’s repetitive nature actually bearable.
The Defender who actually defends
Most RPGs treat the "tank" role as a meat shield. You know the drill: high HP, low speed, boring moves. Isabeau flips that script because his protection isn't just about absorbing damage; it's about the literal and metaphorical "Change" mechanic. He’s a former resident of the House of Change, a "Changer" who walked away from the cult-like devotion to the God of Change to become a Defender. That's a huge deal. It’s why his moveset feels so intentional. When he uses "Look at Me!" to draw aggro, it’s not just a stat modifier. It’s a character choice.
He cares. A lot. Maybe too much?
Siffrin is the protagonist, sure, but Isabeau is the catalyst for almost every major emotional beat in the story. While Mirabelle is busy with her religious crisis and Odile is judging everyone with her research, Isabeau is the one noticing that Siffrin’s eyes look a little too tired. He’s the one who offers a snack or a bad joke. He’s the guy who makes you realize that even if the world is ending in two days, it’s still worth being a nice person.
Why his Rock-Paper-Scissors affinity matters
The combat in In Stars and Time is built on a glorified version of Rock-Paper-Scissors. It’s simple, yet punishing if you mess up. Isabeau is Paper. In the context of the game’s lore, Paper is often associated with healing and support, which fits his "Dad of the Group" energy perfectly. But don't let the "healing" tag fool you. His "Exaggerated Strike" hits like a truck.
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One thing people often overlook is how his proximity to the House affects his combat dialogue. He knows these hallways. He knows the "Sadnesses" you’re fighting used to be people—or at least, they represent the stagnation of people he might have known. When you play as Siffrin, you see the world through a lens of exhaustion. When you look at Isabeau, you see someone who chose to be hopeful despite knowing exactly how ugly the House can get.
The crush everyone (except Siffrin) noticed
Let’s talk about the giant elephant in the room. Or rather, the giant, blushing Defender in the room. Isabeau’s feelings for Siffrin are the worst-kept secret in the history of Vaugarde. It’s played for laughs sometimes, but as the loops go on, it becomes genuinely heartbreaking. Imagine being in love with someone who is secretly reliving the same two days hundreds of times. Every time Isabeau tries to have a "moment" with Siffrin, he thinks it’s the first time. For Siffrin, it’s the 400th time they’ve heard that specific joke or seen that specific blush.
It adds this layer of tragedy to Isabeau’s character. He’s a man of action and emotion, stuck in a cycle where his growth is literally deleted every time the clock hits zero. He is a constant. He is always kind, always brave, and always in love.
Isabeau and the theme of "Stagnation"
The King wants to freeze time because he’s afraid of what comes next. He wants to keep things "perfect" forever. Isabeau is the direct antithesis to this. His whole backstory involves leaving a place of stagnation (the House) to embrace the messy, unpredictable world of being a traveler.
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- He changed his name.
- He changed his profession.
- He even changed his hair (those sideburns are a choice, Isa).
When the King talks about the beauty of a frozen moment, Isabeau is the one who reminds the party that life is only beautiful because it ends. It’s a bit cliché if you say it out loud, but in the context of a 60-hour time-loop RPG, it hits different. He represents the "Forward" motion that Siffrin is terrified of.
If you pay attention to the optional "hangout" events—which you absolutely should—you get a clearer picture of his internal struggle. He’s not just a happy-go-lucky jock. He has deep-seated insecurities about his past as a Changer. He worries that he’s not "good" enough to be a Hero. He compensates for this by being the loudest, most supportive person in the room. It’s a classic "masking" behavior that makes him feel incredibly human.
The Vanilla scent and sensory details
Insertio, the developer, did something brilliant with the sensory descriptions of the characters. Isabeau smells like vanilla. In a game where everything feels cold, sterile, and "star-colored," that one detail grounds him. It’s a warm scent. It’s a kitchen scent. It’s the smell of home. Siffrin, who has no home and no memories, is naturally drawn to that warmth.
This isn't just flavor text. These details are used to track Siffrin’s deteriorating mental state. In early loops, the mention of Isabeau’s scent is comforting. In later loops, when Siffrin is spiraling, those same sensory details start to feel like a cage. You start to resent the vanilla because it never changes. It’s always there, perfectly consistent, mocking Siffrin’s inability to move on.
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Breaking the Loop: How to use Isabeau effectively
If you’re struggling with some of the mid-game bosses, especially the ones that spam Scissors attacks, you need to lean on Isabeau’s defense buffs. He isn't just there to look pretty and pine after the protagonist.
- Prioritize "Look at Me!" - This move is a lifesaver. Siffrin is a glass cannon. Mirabelle is made of tissue paper. Isabeau can take the hits. Use him to soak up the single-target spells so your healers can actually do their jobs.
- The "Wait" Mechanic - Isabeau has some of the best interactions with the "Wait" command. Sometimes the best thing he can do is nothing, just to bait an enemy into a specific phase.
- Synergy with Odile - Odile’s Research combined with Isabeau’s high physical output is the fastest way to clear rooms in the third and fourth floors. Don't waste time with Siffrin's low-damage stabs if you can just have Isabeau crush them.
Misconceptions about his "Easygoing" nature
A lot of players write Isabeau off as the "dumb friend." That’s a mistake. He’s actually incredibly observant. He’s the first one to notice when Mirabelle is overworking herself. He’s the one who notices that Odile’s "tough love" is actually just her being protective. He isn't "dumb"; he’s emotionally intelligent. In a group of people who are all traumatized by the King’s curse, he’s the only one who has processed his baggage enough to help others with theirs.
Well, mostly. He still can't tell Siffrin how he feels without turning into a tomato.
Actionable steps for your next playthrough
If you want to get the most out of Isabeau's narrative arc and ensure you aren't missing the "true" emotional weight of the game, follow these specific steps:
- Max out his friendship events early. Do not skip the snack breaks. These aren't just fluff; they provide context for his behavior in the endgame.
- Observe his reaction to the "Change" statues. There are specific rooms in the House where Isabeau will have unique dialogue if you interact with the environment. It reveals a lot about his life before he met the party.
- Pay attention to his equipment. He’s the only character who seems genuinely excited about "upgrading" his gear, which ties back into his desire to be useful.
- Don't ignore the "Dying" dialogue. If Isabeau falls in battle, his lines are heartbreaking. They show his primary fear: failing to protect the people he loves.
Isabeau is the heart of In Stars and Time. Without him, the game would just be a bleak exercise in nihilism. He provides the "Why" for Siffrin’s journey. Even when everything is resetting, even when the world is turning to salt and dust, Isabeau is there with a snack, a smile, and a reason to keep trying one more time. He is the proof that even in a fixed loop, the heart can still find a way to grow.
To truly understand his impact, keep a close eye on how his dialogue subtly shifts depending on which "acts" you are in. The game rewards players who look past his cheerful exterior to see the man who is terrified of staying the same forever. Lean into his defensive capabilities during the final climb to the King, and make sure you've triggered his "favor" sidequest before the point of no return. It changes everything about the final sequence.