Sky (video game)

Sky: Children of the Light is a social indie adventure game developed and published by Thatgamecompany. It was first released for iOS on July 18, 2019.[1] An Android version was later released on April 7, 2020,[2] with a Nintendo Switch version to soon follow in 2020.[3]

Sky: Children of the Light
Official Cover Art
Developer(s)Thatgamecompany
Publisher(s)Thatgamecompany
Director(s)Jenova Chen
Artist(s)Yui Tanabe (Manager)
Jacky Ke Jiang (Director)
Writer(s)Jennie Kong
Composer(s)Vincent Diamante
Platform(s)
ReleaseiOS
  • WW: 18 July 2019
Android
  • WW: 7 April 2020
Nintendo Switch
  • WW: 2020
Genre(s)Adventure, art game
Mode(s)Multiplayer

Gameplay

In Sky: Children of the Light, the player explores a magical kingdom using a cape that gives them the ability to fly. There are seven unique realms to visit, and each one is themed around a different stage of life. In addition to these realms, there is a Home that serves as a hub between the different realms. Throughout the game, the player will encounter "spirits" that give the player cosmetic and gameplay-affecting items in return for in-game currency. The player can also find "lost stars" that give the player "winged light". When the player has collected enough winged light, their cape level goes up, increasing their maximum "wing energy" and allowing them to fly farther.

The game features a heavy focus on social mechanics. Players are able to meet and befriend one another, and can unlock new abilities such as chat and sending gifts as their friendship grows. There are also many cosmetic items to collect including capes, masks, hairstyles, hats, pants, playable musical instruments, expressions, and more. These items can be obtained using in-game currency.

Reception
Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic81/100[4]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Game InformeriOS: 8.25/10[5]
GameSpotiOS: 8/10[6]
IGNiOS: 8.5/10[7]
Pocket GameriOS: [8]
Edit on Wikidata

Metacritic awarded the game an 81 out of 100 based on 17 reviewers, as well as awarding it the number one shared iOS game of 2019, number five most discussed iOS game of 2019, and number 12 best iOS game of 2019.[9] Gameinformer scored the game a 8.5 out of 10 stating "Sky is a refreshingly moving and robust game on the iOS platform, and one best shared with others – especially folks who might not normally pick up a video game."[5] Gamespot scored the game a 8 out of 10, giving exceptional praise to the visuals, animations and musical scores, however admitting that "return visits to previous environments aren't nearly as captivating as your first trip".[6] IGN scored the game a 8.5 out of 10, likening the game to its predecessor as "a bigger and bolder follow-up that expands on what made Journey so great."[7] Destructoid, like many other reviewers praised how it's a game that "most everyone should experience", was however highly critical of the touch controls and the lack of control it gave of your character, going as far to suggest that "most everyone should wait for a console or PC release" to play the game.[10]

Accolades

The game won Apple's iPhone game of the year for 2019.[11] On July 8 2020, Thatgamecompany announced that the game had surpassed 20 million downloads.[12][13]

YearAwardCategoryResultRef
2019 2019 Golden Joystick Awards Mobile Game of the Year Nominated [14]
The Game Awards 2019 Best Mobile Game Nominated [15]
2020 New York Game Awards A-Train Award for Best Mobile Game Nominated [16]
Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards Game of the Year Nominated [17]
Best Audio/Visual Accomplishment Nominated
Pocket Gamer People's Choice Won
23rd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Portable Game of the Year Nominated [18]
NAVGTR Awards Game, Original Family Nominated [19]
Original Light Mix Score, New IP Nominated
Game Developers Choice Awards Best Mobile Game Nominated [20][21]
Audience Award Won
SXSW Gaming Awards Mobile Game of the Year Won [22]
18th Annual G.A.N.G. Awards Best Music for an Indie Game Nominated [23]
Best Sound Design in a Casual/Social Game Nominated
Best Music in a Casual Game Nominated
Best Original Song ("Constellation") Nominated
Webby Award Apps, Mobile, and Voice: Best Visual Design - Aesthetic Won [24]
Apple Design Awards Outstanding Design and Innovation Won [25]
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References
  1. "Sky: Children of the Light Is Out Now!". thatgamecompany Official Blog. July 18, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  2. "Sky: Children of the Light Out on Google Play Now!". thatgamecompany Official Blog. April 7, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  3. "Sky: Children of the Light's console release starts on Nintendo Switch". thatgamecompany Official Blog. March 17, 2020.
  4. "Sky: Children of the Light for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  5. Miller, Matt. "Sky: Children Of The Light Review – The Next Logical Leap". Game Informer. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  6. Barbosa, Alessandro. "Sky: Children Of The Light Review - Flying Free". GameSpot. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  7. Jagneaux, David (July 20, 2019). "Sky: Children of the Light Review". IGN. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  8. Sullivan, Dann. "Sky: Children of the Light review - "Transcends the standards of the platformer genre"". Pocketgamer. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  9. "Sky: Children of the Light for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  10. "Review: Sky: Children of the Light". Destructoid. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  11. "Apple celebrates the best apps and games of 2019". Apple Newsroom. December 2, 2019.
  12. Minotti, Mike (July 8, 2020). "Thatgamecompany's Sky reaches 20 million downloads". VentureBeat. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  13. "Sky Hits 20 Million Downloads Ahead of First Anniversary". Sky: Children of the Light Official Blog. July 8, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  14. "Golden Joystick Awards 2019". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on September 28, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  15. Winslow, Jeremy (November 19, 2019). "The Game Awards 2019 Nominees Full List". GameSpot. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  16. Sheehan, Gavin (January 2, 2020). "The New York Game Awards Announces 2020 Nominees". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  17. "The winners of 2020". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  18. Chalk, Andy (January 13, 2020). "Control and Death Stranding get 8 nominations each for the 2020 DICE Awards". PC Gamer. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  19. "2019 Nominees". National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers. January 13, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  20. Shanley, Patrick (January 8, 2020). "'Death Stranding' Leads Game Developers Choice Awards Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
  21. Makuch, Eddie (March 18, 2020). "Untitled Goose Game Wins Another Game Of The Year Award". GameSpot. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  22. Watkins, Gary (March 24, 2020). "Announcing the 2020 SXSW Gaming Awards Winners". South by Southwest. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  23. Wilson, Kelly (February 13, 2020). "Game Audio Network Guild Announces 18th Annual G.A.N.G. Award Nominees". The Hype Magazine. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  24. "Webby Awards: Sky: Children of the Light". The Webby Awards. May 19, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  25. "Apple honors eight developers with annual Apple Design Awards". Apple Newsroom. June 29, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
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