The successor to beloved Journey is larger and more courageous. Sky is innovative, magical, boasting a unique multiplayer system straining to make us courteous and… good. It is simply incomparable to any other mobile game.
Sky: Children of the Light is a breathtaking follow-up to thatgamecompany’s previous hit, Journey, that surprised and delighted me from start to finish with its subtle story of exploration and healing. Visually, it’s breathtaking to behold on a mobile device and it delivers one of the most memorable and purely joyous multiplayer experiences I’ve had in recent memory. This is an adventure for anyone and everyone.
Sky : Children of the Light's composition spreads elegantly both in style, sublime and poetic, as well as in content, through traditional principles, yet harmoniously breathed into it while deeply meaningful to carry such an elevated purpose. Some touchy turbulence overshadow this ideal picture, when ThatGameCompany ventures across down to earth themes, or tends to lose its lantern among the mist created by this ever-evolving universe. Its humble existential, altruistic message stays nonetheless limpid, the economic model expressing rare generosity, like an open hand.
Beautiful like a painting and touching just like Journey was, Sky : Children of the Light turns all the previous games from thatgamecompany into a magnificent trip designed for social interactions.
I can’t even begin to imagine how Sky was made. It’s ultra-smooth visuals and seamless multiplayer feel like they can’t work on a mobile device, yet they do. This is indeed an achievement, and I cannot deny that. Once I start playing it though, it feels like I’m smearing a painting. Everything is so beautifully composed, and then I come along to fly into a wall or get hung up on a ledge. This happens so frequently that I don’t really like spending time in Sky, which is a real shame.
The best game on mobile devices no matter what genre you play. Graphics masterpiece, developers feedback, sweetest community. This game definitely should be on PS or Xbox.
Though I love the visuals and what the game is trying to invoke, it falls a little short. there are many things to do while travelling the world, but why am I doing it? There doesn't seem to be much of a reason for what I'm doing. There are many collectibles and upgrades and customisations and areas to unlock... But there's no real reason why I must. I never really feel like I'm improving, just gaining, more and more undefined stuff.
The visuals alone make it a fine game to experience, but It just feels like an aimless online multiplayer beyond that. Like Journey but without the compelling story or reason of being.
Oh boy, how does one even review a game like Sky, mixing brilliance with disappointment?
It starts out amazing. The visuals and the audio is top notch. With the eerie otherworldly voice of Aurora softly murmuring in the background as you start the game, you feel like you're engaging in the grandest adventure ever. And you will, don't get me wrong. Your first play through all the maps, soaring through the clouds, collecting stars, slowly improving your flight powers, dodging danger in dark lands, finding secrets and cool places, making your first friends, will become dearly cherished memories. And the final map--my oh my--I have never lived something so intense and heart-wrenching. And what follows after is the cherry on top. To say it's pure catharsis is an understatement.
If it would end there, it would be a perfect game. But no, this is sort of an MMO. You get to start over, playing the maps again. Making new friends, deepening older friendships, collecting stuff, buying cosmetics, envying people with cooler cosmetics than yours, engaging with the new content that the developers keep putting out. And this stage will keep you going for a while.
But there's a moment where you start to feel the grind. If you want it all, you need to grind the maps every day for collectables. If you truly want it all, you will have to cough up some real-world cash, and the packs or seasons or whatever are quite expensive for what they offer. So the fun will start to feel like a day job; worse even, as the day job still pays real money for your meaningless grind.
So you'll eventually move on, but Sky will still beckon you once in a while, with the bright memories it has forever etched into your heart.
PS: Oh yeah, I forgot the enduring bugs that frustrate you and mar the experience. One point subtracted. It feels strange to rate 7 a game that made such a significant impact on me, but when you put it all together, it is what it is.
I'm completely disappointed with this game. First, why on Earth do a "sequel" to Journey on mobile with this horrible touch controls? Why not use a controller, as was some so brilliantly done before? But the answer is short and quick: micro transactions. Although console games are becoming more used to this practice, mobile games are quite at home with them, since it was invented in the mobile market. Although with packs going to as much as $50 a piece, there's nothing micro about them. Some dazzling presentation to hide a perfunctory plot and a rotten core of greed to join the "live services" scam
One point for graphics, one point for music. I have no problem with micro transactions. But let's face it the game is boring as hell. On top of that, the controls are clumsy and horrible. The gameplay has lots of bugs. Icons and hints are very confusing. These confusion could be easily resolved by some text telling you what it means, but they decided not to, just in order to make the UI "minimalistic". I've always agreed with Chen's idea of games doesn't need to be violent. But I also think it doesn't mean it can be boring. A game is first and foremost A GAME. I would call Sky a fancy graphics demo instead ****.
SummaryWelcome to the enchanting world of Sky, a beautifully-animated kingdom waiting to be explored by you and your loved ones. Hand in hand, take flight across seven realms, solve mysteries, help others, make friends, and create enriching memories together.
Spread Light through the desolate kingdom and return the fallen Stars to their conste...