From Octeto Studios and PQube comes a new entry in the RPG genre that claims to bring back the era of the classic RPG in homage to the greats. Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire mixes on-foot exploration with air-based exploration and combat.
So, can the added dimension of flight bring something new to the genre? Well, chocks away, let’s take off and find out!
We must start this review with the presentation, as the graphical style is a prominent aspect of this title. The blurb on the store page claims that the design team took inspiration from Studio Ghibli films, and if you’re going to be inspired by anything, that’s not a bad place to start.
The design of the player characters, NPCs, and enemies is excellent, and the world design is equally impressive. Flying around the vast areas gives you a sense of the game’s scale, but sadly, it’s not without its problems. The pop-in, especially in the wide-open areas you explore in your skyjet, is terrible, with entire trees and mountains suddenly appearing. It’s also possible to trigger a particularly jarring visual glitch if you stop just as something is popping in, causing it to flash in and out of view. There’s also a noticeable amount of pop-in as you explore certain areas on foot, which is quite intrusive.
The music that accompanies you as you explore the world is very pleasant. However, there’s minimal voice-over work, and what is there quickly becomes repetitive. If I hear one of my characters say “Burn, baby, burn!” one more time as he unleashes a fire-based attack, I might have to pull my ears off. So, the presentation is a mixed bag of great ideas and poor execution, which is a shame.
The story is a crucial part of the experience, and thankfully, it’s much better.
You play as Glenn Windwalker, and as the game opens, you’re shown a recurring nightmare that haunts his dreams. You relive the day his parents were supposed to return from an expedition, but only his mother came back. Young Glenn never learned what happened to his father, and as he comes of age and earns his pilot’s wings, the town of Blossom, where he has lived since that fateful day, comes under attack from The Alliance. Without waiting to find out what’s happening, Glenn’s mother urges him to escape. Sadly, they are ambushed, and while his mother distracts the enemy, Glenn gets away. The last thing he sees is his mother’s ship engulfed in flames. Can he find his friends and discover his purpose in this world he’s been thrust into?
With the strong story established, let’s talk about the gameplay, which is a tale of two halves. On the ground, you can interact with people and accept missions to help them. In the towns you visit, you can also purchase upgrades for your airship, which is vital, as the difficulty spikes during combat can be quite sudden and steep. Stocking up on healing items, armour, and weapons is essential. While exploring, you’ll also find chests to open, adding a layer of exploration and reward to the ground-based sections.
Out in the vast world of the Sky Ocean, things become more perilous. This part of the game plays like a flight simulator, with a view from above and behind your skyjet. You control altitude, speed, and direction, and each member of your crew (three companions join you) has a unique ability while exploring. For instance, Glenn can use an aura to detect nearby enemies, while Ren can fire projectiles to clear obstacles from your path. Flying allows you to gather resources and engage in combat with creatures and other airships. If you manage to surprise them and attack first, you gain an advantage in the ensuing battle.
Combat is enjoyable, with a turn-based system that offers strategic depth. Each character can attack, use special abilities, use items from the inventory (called the arsenal in Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire), evade attacks, or retreat. However, be aware that retreating characters cannot rejoin the fight. (I learned this the hard way.) The turn-based battles become quite challenging as the game progresses. Balancing attacking, healing, and dodging is crucial, and while most enemies are easy to defeat, the bosses are a different story. You’ll need to keep your ship upgraded and allocate skill points to your pilots to stand a chance.
In conclusion, Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire is a game with a lot of charm, challenge, and heart. There are issues, particularly with the graphics, but if you can overlook those (and they are mainly noticeable in wide-open spaces), there’s a lot to enjoy. The story and challenging gameplay will keep you engaged so if you’re looking for a unique RPG experience, you could do a lot worse than giving Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire a try.
Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire Takes Flight on PC and Consoles – https://www.thexboxhub.com/sky-oceans-wings-for-hire-takes-flight-on-pc-and-consoles/
Buy Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/sky-oceans-wings-for-hire/9mvzjt434xhw