Some games don’t try to reinvent the wheel. Instead, they polish it, slap on a fresh coat of paint, and remind you why you loved it in the first place. Pie in the Sky is exactly that kind of game, a compact, heartfelt love letter to the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater era, made with clear affection and understanding of what made those games special.
A tried and tested gameplay loop
The task system is where Pie in the Sky really wears its heart on its sleeve. Each map is packed with objectives that feel straight out of a THPS checklist. A high score challenge, collectibles, traversal goals and secret objectives. All pushing you to explore the space more creatively and efficiently. It’s a formula that still works, and the game knows better than to mess with it.
Beyond the main tasks, there’s a strong sense of curiosity baked into the design. Secrets are everywhere, rewarding players who experiment or pay attention to their surroundings. Some unlock cosmetics, giving you fun ways to personalize your winged villain, while others introduce small but clever map changes. From blocking the road preventing traffic from ruining your run to draining a whole canal. completing a map to 100% will also unlock skins which to my surprise where not just colour schemes but whole different models.
Short but sweet
After around three hours, I had completed all main missions and knocked out 60 of the 70 total tasks. On one hand, that brevity is a bit of a disappointment, the core gameplay is so enjoyable that I couldn’t help but want more. On the other, the experience never overstays its welcome. There’s no filler, no bloated progression, just a clean, focused burst of fun.
While I wish there was more content overall, the remaining challenges give me a good excuse to jump back in every now and again and eventually push toward that 100% completion. And honestly? That feels very on-brand for the genre this game is honouring.
My Conclusion
Pie in the Sky doesn’t try to be the next big game or promise constant updates to keep you hooked for years. Instead, it succeeds by being tight, nostalgic, and thoughtfully designed. It understands why Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and other titles of that era worked.
If you grew up chasing high scores, hunting secrets, and replaying the same map to leave no secret behind, Pie in the Sky will feel like coming home, even if the visit is a little shorter than you’d like. The price might seem on the steeper side with regards to the short play time but I would spend my money on it to support the indie developer in hopes for a more refined nostalgic trip in the future.
