Taking a different stance compared to typical mobile games, Sky: Children of the Light is a gorgeous open-world indie game released by Thatgamecompany in 2019 for mobile and switch. The adventure title is also making its way to Playstation consoles in December, teasing players with its vibrant world and hidden mysteries. With ominous murals and spirits of the dead, it’s up to you to reawaken the Ancestor Elders and restore light to the world!
▍An Immersive yet Mysterious World
The unique approach to the storytelling of Sky: Children of the Light fills players with intrigue, scattering hints of the history of the once prosperous land that lay in wait to be discovered. Easy-to-grasp platformer controls give players of any skill level the opportunity to soak in the game’s environment, and Spirits of the dead wander each land, trapped in their final moments. A mother scrambling to find her dead child in the desert, and a husband forced to see his wife and child off to safety without him; Sky isn’t afraid to capitalize on disturbing implications.
The title eases players into its tale, allowing the player to explore each level at their own pace. The emphasis on ‘light’ is splendidly executed, from using constellations as barriers, wall paintings that stand out from obsidian and using a bright halo to highlight a mysterious castle in the skies. The story within this indie game isn’t so cut and dry compared to the typical RPG, serving as an enigma that taunts players at every turn.
▍Leave No Stone Unturned in Your One-And-Only Adventure
One of the biggest draws of Sky: Children of the Light is its beautiful levels, using expansive vistas and valleys to create memorable moments in the player’s adventure. Once you are ready to take on the journey, you will gain a magical cape with the power of flight, minimizing the travel time spent crossing each area.
Candles are scattered on each level, revealing a bright mural when lit and granting Candle currency to the player when nearby. The player is initially limited to flying for several seconds, but this limit can be increased by collecting Winged Light strewn in the nooks and crannies of each level. With a larger flight gauge, the player is free to return to earlier levels and find out what they missed!
Awakening Spirits don’t only serve to fill in a piece of the story, but also reward the player with Ascended Candles once they return to their Home, or by passing through the gates of Eden. These spirits are located in far-off or unexpected locations, serving as an incentive to backtrack and scour the lands.
Players who haven’t picked up the game in a while can activate a helpful indicator on where to go next, preventing players from feeling disoriented loading inside an unknown location.
Collected currency can be used to unlock different cosmetics and emotes that players can use both in solo play and multiplayer mode. The player character’s hairstyle, outfit, and cape are key features of the player’s visual identity, so being able to customize your appearance is an appealing draw without impacting gameplay. Notably, outfits are only unlocked after awakening every Spirit in a level.
▍Hang Out and Explore with Other Players
Thatgamecompany brings life into the world of Sky: Children of the Light by allowing players to interact with each other. Symbolic in the game’s theme of shedding light on the world, other players are initially displayed as translucent shadows that move in real-time. Yet, if both players hold up their own candles towards the other player, that player’s avatar is fully displayed and can be interacted with.
Sky: Children of the Light encourages players to take advantage of this feature and work together, given the size of each area.
The unlockable emotes come into play when you’re in multiplayer mode, ranging from simply sitting down to beckoning players to hurry up to your location. These poses are unlocked in areas that flatteringly highlight the player, tempting players to hit their screenshot button during gameplay.
Like any other social game, Sky: Children of the Light allows players to start conversations with each other, or even leave a message via a blue candle! Though these chat sessions are only temporary, there isn’t any limit to how often you can chat with a person.
▍Sky: Children of the Light is an Excellent Choice for Curious Minds
Unlike any mobile games you’ve experienced, Sky: Children of the Light is a gorgeous open-world adventure title that won’t let you disappoint. Though this title won’t satisfy players who desire intense action and a straight-to-the-point story, Sky’s world of intrigue is well suited for players who don’t mind a little digging to understand the lore of a game.
The game’s relaxing soundtrack and casual gameplay also mark the title as an excellent pastime for players of any age. Being able to start conversations on the fly is a hallmark of when virtual meetings took the world by storm in light of the events of 2019. Together, Sky: The Children of Light is a visually inspired game that draws its players into a unique adventure filled with a palette of mystery, platform, and horror.
