Skies Above

Skies Above is incredibly unique. It feels like you're playing a masterfully crafted OSU/Aim Trainer. At first it feels a bit awkward, but getting into the zone and killing enemy after enemy is just therapeutic. I implore you, give this game a try. I tested it way back in alpha, and it wasn't really for me. But after all the love and care that the developer put in, its a beautifully crafted package.

Insane for the aesthetics alone, addictive gameplay, absolute banger. Badass soundtrack too.

Wow, this games is crazy good. I'm only a little over an hour in it so far. I saw this game on a list of recently released native Linux/SteamOS games and decided to check out the store page. The art work immediately got my attention. I was a bit unsure because of the low number of reviews for it. And WOW! The game play is really fast, clean and crisp. So far, it gives enough of a consistent trickle feed of new game play mechanics and considerations that the pace feels really good so far.

the game has a charming world/atmosphere, very intense gameplay, perfect for a chill weekend afternoon. would recommend

Look, I’ve played a lot of games where you ride horses, dragons, and at least one surprisingly nimble green dinosaur named Yoshi. But a whale? Now I've seen everything... If you’ve ever dreamed of riding a sky-whale while fending off a robotic armada of invaders, Skies Above by Hungry Dingo will make your oddly specific wish come true. This pixel art roguelike/platformer/shooter combines fast-paced action, a heartfelt eco-message, and more upgrades than an Apple iPhone. But does it soar majestically or just flounder in the clouds? Well, read on and find out. [h2]Leviathans, Loops, and Lots of Leaping[/h2] I’ll be honest—my first few runs looked less like heroic eco-warrioring and more like guy who forgot how gravity works. You play as a rebel eco-warrior, hitching a ride on the back of a leviathan, think Moby ♥♥♥♥, to protect it from humanity’s latest bad idea: weaponized flying robots. Each run is a frantic loop of jumping, dashing, and grappling from one enemy orb to the next, all while trying not to overshoot and plummet off the whale. The controls can be a tad finicky, and you’ll likely spend your first few runs perfecting the art of not missing your ride. Here's a tip: aim for the whale, not the clouds as clouds are terrible at catching you. When your Leviathan inevitably takes too much damage, you’re sent back to base camp. Honestly, it’s kind of like failing a driving test, but with more explosions. Here, you can spend your hard-earned currency on upgrades; health, speed, greed (naturally), and a growing tree of unlockables, including a fishing mini-game. New abilities, robot buddies, and cosmetic rewards keep the progression addictive and satisfying. I’ll admit that I’m a sucker for any game that lets me put a monocle on an animal. [h2]Pix and Roll[/h2] On the graphical side is where the game flexes its proverbial muscle. If you told me I’d care this much about the emotional well-being of a pixelated sky mammal, I would’ve laughed. Now? I’m emotionally invested. The pixel style is a visual treat, with vibrant colors and lovingly animated leviathans that make you genuinely care about your sky-whale bestie. The soundtrack is equally impressive, oscillating between adrenaline-pumping rock during battles and serene melodies back at camp. The rogue-like structure means each run is a little different, with new enemy types, random perks from fishing (sometimes it’s just seaweed—so it goes), and strategic choices about where to invest your resources. I found myself making questionable decisions just to see what would happen. Sometimes it paid off. Sometimes…not so much. [h2]Quirks and Quibbles[/h2] Okay, confession time: I fell off my whale at least three times because of what I’m calling “enthusiastic grappling.” Not everything is smooth sailing. Some players noted occasional glitches, like disappearing characters in the base camp, though these were rare. The controls, particularly the jumping and grappling, can feel imprecise until you get the hang of them. And while the fishing mechanic is a cute touch, it’s more garnish than main course. Also, I wasn't able to re-bind the keys to my liking, so I'm hoping that the developers add this option in a future patch. [h2]Whale of a Time or Just Blowing Hot Air?[/h2] If you’d told me my favorite part of 2025 gaming would involve playing as an eco-friendly activist and riding my very own watery mammal, I’d have asked what you were smoking. But Skies Above is a charming, fast-paced roguelike that manages to blend arcade action, progression hooks, and environmental storytelling into a surprisingly heartfelt package. Its pixel art and soundtrack are top-tier, and the upgrade loop will keep you returning for “just one more run.” If you can forgive the occasional control hiccup and minor bugs, you’ll have a whale of a time, and possibly develop an emotional dependency on giant flying creatures. --- Joel If you found this review helpful, hop on over to [url=https://www.walawala.gg/] WalaWalaGames [/url] or visit us on [url=https://x.com/WalaWalaGames] X Twitter WWG [/url] Twitter (X) for a whale of a time.

The gameplay loop is surprisingly VERY fun. This game is peak and insanely underrated.

Skies Above developed and published by HungryDingo is a fast-paced roguelike action title that thrives on momentum, precision, and a surprisingly heartfelt premise. Set high above the ground on the back of a massive flying Leviathan, the game casts players as its protector, fending off relentless waves of mechanical enemies intent on bringing the creature down. It’s a concept that immediately stands out—not just because of its visual uniqueness, but because it gives the action a sense of purpose beyond simple survival. The core gameplay is built around speed and flow. Movement feels fluid and responsive, encouraging players to constantly stay in motion rather than hold defensive positions. Combat is designed to reward aggression and timing, with dashes, attacks, and abilities chaining together into satisfying sequences. When played well, each encounter becomes a rhythm of movement and impact, where maintaining momentum is just as important as dealing damage. This emphasis on flow gives the game an almost arcade-like quality, where mastery comes from learning how to sustain that pace without breaking it. Progression follows a roguelike structure, with each run contributing to long-term improvement. As players advance, they unlock upgrades through a rune-based system that enhances abilities and opens up new strategic possibilities. This creates a steady sense of growth, even when individual runs end in failure. The game also includes smaller side activities and optional challenges that provide brief variations in pacing, helping to break up the intensity of the main loop. While the structure is familiar, it is implemented effectively enough to keep players engaged across multiple sessions. One of the more compelling aspects of Skies Above is its tone. Despite the constant action, there is an underlying sense of care tied to the Leviathan itself. The creature is not just a backdrop but a central presence, and defending it gives the gameplay an emotional anchor. This subtle narrative framing adds weight to each run, making success feel meaningful in a way that goes beyond score or progression. It’s a small detail, but one that helps the game stand out from other titles in the genre. Visually, the game adopts a vibrant pixel-art style that complements its fast-paced design. Animations are smooth and expressive, and effects are clear enough to keep gameplay readable even during chaotic moments. The sense of scale is particularly well handled, with the Leviathan serving as a constant reminder of the setting’s uniqueness. Combined with a dynamic soundtrack, the presentation reinforces the feeling of speed and intensity that defines the experience. However, the game is not without its limitations. While the core mechanics are strong, they do not evolve significantly over time, which can lead to a sense of repetition during longer play sessions. Enemy patterns and upgrade paths become familiar relatively quickly, and the variety of environments is somewhat limited. Additionally, the difficulty curve can feel steep in the early stages, requiring players to quickly adapt to the game’s pace and mechanics before the progression systems begin to ease the challenge. Despite these shortcomings, the strength of the core loop carries the experience. The combination of fluid movement, responsive combat, and a clear gameplay focus makes each run engaging, even when the surrounding elements begin to repeat. It’s a game that prioritizes feel over complexity, and for players who enjoy skill-driven action, that focus works in its favor. In the end, Skies Above is a tightly crafted roguelike that succeeds by committing fully to its central idea. It offers a satisfying blend of speed, strategy, and replayability, supported by a distinctive setting and a strong sense of identity. While it may not offer extensive variety or long-term depth, it delivers a consistently enjoyable experience that is easy to return to, especially for those who appreciate fast, skill-based gameplay. Rating: 8/10