Sky: Children of the Light is a welcome addition to the PlayStation ecosystem, especially in a post-COVID world where happiness and cooperation are fleeting. As an MMO, Sky‘s approach to player retention, exploration, and connection are uplifting, positive, and indeed show the brighter side of humanity. I wish that a PS5-upgrade could better integrate my DualSense into the gameplay, but in the grand scheme of cooperation and connection, Sky hits the sweet spot of an incredibly chill gameplay experience.
My first time playing Journey in 2012 on my PS3 was an emotional one. My colleague recommended I play it, and warned me that I should be prepared for a wide range of emotions as I played. I disregarded it, because at the time I didn’t believe that video games contained the ability to tap into players’ emotions and tell compelling tales (a belief I’ve since rescinded and now on the other side of the proverbial House). I spent a good hour and a half mucking about, building up my scarf and watching it get torn to shreds as I scaled the mountain. Then, I arrived in Paradise (the mountain’s Summit), where I was sent flying through the stratosphere and feeling the tension and frustration melt away. Since then, I’ve wanted thatgamecompany to bring another title to the PlayStation. Today, I am happy to report that Sky: Children of the Light is now available on the PS4 and PS5.
To call Sky: Children of the Light the spiritual successor to Journey would be moderately accurate. Sky is an MMO by nature without the tendrils that keep players locked into a singular game’s ecosystem by time-gating content or locking cosmetics behind repetitious drivel. Microtransactions? Not required, but clearly welcome. The game has been out for several years and amassed a sizable community, so it would be safe to assume that it’s succeeded in keeping players’ interested in generosity and community.
For those familiar with Journey‘s final level (Paradise/the Summit), some of Sky‘s best moments are spent flying through the sky and around a living universe comprised of mainly docile creatures just like the final minutes of Journey. Of course, there’s much more to do than just flutter about, but this gameplay element hooked me quite early, as Journey’s final mission was that of exhilaration, relief, and uninhibited and unimpeded flight. In simplest terms, players are tasked with exploring the world, lighting candles, and guiding lost spirits to happier pastures. Along the way, should you see a colored lens flare on your screen, you’ll encounter lost spirits that reward you with cute poses and children of the light that incrementally increase the duration you can fly through the air.
Another key facet of Sky‘s gameplay is that of its ability to connect players together, be it for a brief moment or several. As I explored, players came and went. Some would tag along with me, honking away as I fluttered through the trees and temples. Others would try to get my attention and lead me into a nook and cranny to find a lost spirit. Some would ignore me altogether. I befriended some of them who took the time to show me nooks and crannies in the environments by offering them candles. I gave them nicknames to try keeping track of them, but once I moved on (or they moved on), I never saw them again.
Like Journey, Sky‘s multiplayer is an anonymous, passive, and fleeting concept. You do not know with whom you are playing. There are opportunities for you to interact with those around you, should they be around you, by adding them as a friend by exchanging candles or sitting with them on a bench and “talking” with them. thatgamecompany claims that Sky allows players to show the brighter side of their humanity, and I can absolutely see that manifesting well into 2022 (almost 2023, now). Its emphasis on collaboration, asking for help, and offering guidance to other players is a refreshing experience in a competitive field of games featuring tools and mechanics that can be co-opted by trolling and other negative behaviors.
As a new player, I was left to my own devices as to what to make of my time spent playing Sky. I didn’t feel like I was compelled to grind through menial tasks (the MMO classic) to unlock cosmetics, but at the same time, I didn’t feel like my actions visibly led to something greater. This is the pill that new players must swallow should they choose to play Sky: Children of the Light. I can imagine some players may be confused about the purpose of spending all of their time fluttering about, but they shouldn’t. Sky succeeds in a weird way by literally releasing the reigns and allowing players to find their own meaning through playing. If you want to pop in, light some candles, save some spirits, and peace out? Go ahead. If you want to help another new player (like me!) get their feet wet and guide them into finding spirits during their playthrough, you can do that, too. The (metaphorical) sky is the limit here.
Sky‘s story remains vague. If you’ve been playing for a while and have wondered about a new player’s experience, let me tell you: I was quite confused as to my place in the world. I began my journey in an empty space and informed that I must re-awaken lost spirits and guide them to the next realm. After several hours playing and rescuing spirits, I learned that part of my role as a player was to bear witness to ethereal journeys cut short by a higher power (or lack thereof). The allure of this storytelling places the player in a passive role, as my actions weren’t really supposed to benefit me, but to benefit something (or someone) else.
Unlocking cosmetics is an interesting, albeit slightly rewarding, process. At the end of each biome, the spirits you free give you access to their galaxies (think skill trees) that offer players the opportunity to exchange currency for upgraded emotes, hairstyles, capes, and more. None of the cosmetics felt necessary in the sense that I needed them to demonstrate wealth, coolness, or novelty, but this season’s AURORA content that styles your character like Aurora (the singer) look quite charming in-game. The Journey Pack that makes my character look like a Journey character is a delightful addition, too.
Speaking of seasonal content, I am incredibly pleased to report that if you’re a new player and you’re hankering to get your hands on some of the older seasonal content, no worries! It comes back for a limited time (in a random order) from a merchant who shows up on your home base on the weekends. That’s right — no FOMO for players late to the Sky party or those who play on an inconsistent schedule. Frankly, I love this, as it adds to the already chill and relaxing experience that Sky gives players.
Admittedly, the controller layout of Sky will take some getting used to. Like other MMOs on the console (I’m looking at you, Destiny), the player menu is separated from the overarching menu and require two different buttons to access these menus, and in-game notifications (the red dot) appear every time you receive a new cosmetic. I understand that this UI was initially designed around mobile-friendliness, but it’s still a bit jarring on console. I will say, though, that information is MUCH better displayed than other MMOs I’ve played and reviewed on my PS5. I do recommend inverting the flight controls, though, as they are not inverted by default.
The design and graphics of Sky are clean, refined, and similar to the magic and wonder from Journey. On my PS5, the world is crisp, well-defined, and consistently in focus. I never once encountered blurriness, blockiness, or the roughness that can accompany textures that are dependent on a network connection.
Although I reviewed Sky on my PS5, the game is currently available as a PS4 game only. It runs really well on my PS5, but I cannot help but wish that there was a PS5 version in some capacity, be it utilizing the speaker when I press the O button to “talk” or stronger haptics. Seeing as it just came to Sony’s consoles, I’m inclined to continue hoping for more from thatgamecompany.
Sky: Children of the Light is a welcome addition to the PlayStation ecosystem, especially in a post-COVID world where happiness and cooperation are fleeting. As an MMO, Sky‘s approach to player retention, exploration, and connection are uplifting, positive, and indeed show the brighter side of humanity. I wish that a PS5-upgrade could better integrate my DualSense into the gameplay, but in the grand scheme of cooperation and connection, Sky hits the sweet spot of an incredibly chill gameplay experience.
