A Survivor-like with an upwards twist.
At its core, “Sky Survivors” sticks to the tried-and-true mechanics of the survivor genre: you face progressively harder waves of enemies, choose upgrades at every level, and encounter mini-bosses that challenge your skills. The twist here is the 2D platforming element. Instead of being confined to a single plane, you can jump, climb, and dodge around vertical world. Defeating mini-bosses not only grants you a free upgrade but also expands the play area, unlocking new platforms and giving you more room to manoeuvre. This adds a strategic layer to the gameplay, as you must place yourself accordingly when the waves of enemies start rolling in.
Each good run lasts around 20-30 minutes, making the game perfect for short sessions. However, due to the lack of optimization and the Switch’s hardware limitations, frame rate drops can become a significant issue. When enemies pile up and the screen fills with projectiles, the game can slow to a crawl, extending the duration of runs and sometimes hampering the overall experience.
Clarity over style.
The art style of “Sky Survivors” is a charming, hand-drawn, and colourful 2D aesthetic. While the graphics are not particularly detailed or varied, they serve their purpose well. Clarity is crucial in a game where dodging enemies and projectiles is key, and “Sky Survivors” excels in this area. Enemies are easily distinguishable, with some even having highlighted attacks to give you a fair chance to react. Pick-ups and upgrades are also clearly visible, ensuring that you can make split-second decisions without confusion.
Do you know the definition of insanity?
Between runs, players can unlock new starting weapons and characters, each with unique gimmicks and upgrade trees. This adds some depth and variety to the game, as experimenting with different combinations can lead to varied play styles. Additionally, smaller upgrades boost overall stats for all characters, providing a sense of progression.
However, the game’s replay-ability is somewhat limited. Many upgrades are available from the start and primarily offer stat boosts to your current weapon, which can make runs feel repetitive. While the character-specific upgrade trees are more interesting, the lack of variety in unlockable cards during gameplay and limited map diversity detracts from the game’s longevity. The lack of more maps wouldn’t be as much of an issue but the lack of variety in enemies and the fact that what the game offers is also not very diverse makes every run feel the same for longer than it should.
My thoughts.
Despite its shortcomings, “Sky Survivors” is an enjoyable game that tries to offer a fresh twist on the survivor genre. The combination of 2D platforming with traditional survivor mechanics creates a unique and engaging experience. Its short run times make it perfect for quick sessions on the go, particularly on the Switch. The hand-drawn art style, while not overly detailed, ensures clarity during intense moments.
The game does suffer from performance issues and a lack of variety, which may affect long-term replay-ability. However, for its price point, “Sky Survivors” is a worthwhile addition to any Switch owner’s library, especially for those looking for a quick and satisfying gaming experience during short journeys or flights.
The game is available in full release on X Box One, X Box Series S/X, Microsoft Windows and the Switch from 27.07.2024
