Review of “Skies Above” on Nintendo Switch

Skies Above, crafted by Flynn’s Arcade and HungryDingo, is an exhilarating, pixel-packed roguelite that brings thrilling action to the Nintendo Switch. In this game, you have a crucial mission—to protect the mighty Leviathan as it glides through the skies. If you fail, this majestic beast could meet its doom. As with any roguelite, your goal is to gather resources on each run to enhance various stats, ensuring you’re stronger for the next journey. But why is our Leviathan under attack?

Long ago, Leviathans drifted to our world, imbuing it with potent energy that manifested as glowing crystals. Exhausted, these creatures fell into a deep slumber. Humans, upon discovering the crystals, harnessed their magic to drive society forward at a rapid pace. Sadly, when they came across the sleeping Leviathans, gratitude was not the reaction. Instead, humans sought to exploit these magnificent beings, going so far as to create robotic orbs meant to seek out and capture these slumbering giants.

Embark on this adventure by maneuvering your character atop the flying Leviathan using the left analog stick. Slide with the L button and jump with the B button. Your trusty hook, activated with the R button, lets you latch onto those pesky robotic enemies. Dash through them with the B button and aim for stunning combos by quickly transitioning from one orb to the next. When suspended mid-air, a simultaneous L and R button press will swiftly return you to the Leviathan.

Resource gathering here gives you Coins, which are vital for crafting Runes. Each Rune demands Shards for unlocking, but they grant crucial upgrades. Perhaps you’ll boost the Leviathan’s health to withstand more hits or enhance your aerial agility with additional dashes. Want more offensive power? Increase the length of your attacking dash. Clever combinations can unleash extra powerful combos, gaining you even more Shards, and there’s always an option to upgrade elements for stronger shard boosts.

At the heart of your base is a grand tree you can upgrade with Shards to unlock further opportunities, like taking on unique challenges that earn even more Shards. For instance, you might need to dash through a handful of orbs in under two seconds, or perhaps eliminate a certain number in a single run. Conquer these tasks, and the game rewards you with fresh challenges to tackle. If luck’s not on your side, spend Shards to refresh these challenges and try different ones.

For completionists, Skies Above offers an achievement system in the game itself. Your first milestone? Getting defeated—it’s all part of the journey. Other challenges involve breaking through cloud layers, demolishing numerous orbs, landing high combo streaks, and even lighter tasks like collecting all fish types or giving the in-game dog some affection. The ultimate goal could be upgrading everything to its maximum or performing unique feats, like flying an impressive 88 meters via consecutive orb jumps.

Skies Above delivers high-speed, 2D roguelite action on the Switch at just $7.99. The narrative pulls you right in: several Leviathans once graced our world, bestowing it with their magical presence. Humans leveraged this magic for rapid societal advancement, failing to appreciate the creatures who had unintentionally provided it. This gave rise to robotic hunters, threatening the mighty Leviathan, and you’re the last line of defense to ensure its safe return.

In conclusion, Skies Above offers a thrilling ride, combining quick reflexes with strategic upgrades, all within a charming pixel art environment. For those looking to test their skills on the Switch, this game offers both challenge and nostalgia in equal measure.

This review of Skies Above is based on a Nintendo Switch copy provided by Flynn’s Arcade.