Airships: Conquer the Skies

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,160 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • replayability
Airships: Conquer the Skies Game Cover
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"Airships: Conquer the Skies" is a game that allows you to design and build detailed airships and land vehicles for massive aerial battles. Choose from a wide array of modules, weapons, and equipment to create the perfect fleet, and then command your vehicles in strategic battles where destruction and victory are possible at any moment. The outcome of each battle depends on your vehicle designs and tactical decisions, making for an engaging and challenging experience.

Play Modes

Reviews

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,160 reviews
gameplay144 positive mentions
stability27 negative mentions
  • The game offers extensive customization options for building airships and landships, allowing for creative and unique designs.
  • The combat mechanics are engaging and satisfying, with a mix of real-time strategy and tactical decision-making.
  • The developer is actively updating the game, adding new features and content, which enhances the overall experience.
  • The AI can be predictable and sometimes cheats, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences, especially in conquest mode.
  • The user interface can be clunky and unintuitive, making navigation and ship management cumbersome.
  • The campaign mode lacks depth and can feel repetitive, with limited options for diplomacy and economic management.
  • gameplay386 mentions

    The gameplay of this game is characterized by its engaging ship-building mechanics and strategic combat, allowing players to design and customize their vessels while navigating a variety of tactical challenges. While the core mechanics are intuitive and offer depth, some players note issues with AI behavior and the need for more complex campaign features. Overall, the game provides a fun and dynamic experience, especially for those who enjoy creative design and strategic gameplay, despite some minor bugs and balance concerns.

    • “The gameplay is skill-based, yet easy to learn, and the incredible amount of detail that goes into game mechanics and ship building allows for an engaging and completely customizable experience with a variety of viable strategies.”
    • “The mechanics are interesting and intuitive after a few false starts.”
    • “The core gameplay is hilarious fun, very early 1900s ship design 'you design and build a ship then it's immediately obsolete necessitating redesigns'.”
    • “As it currently sits, spy defense is very shallow gameplay-wise.”
    • “The gameplay in conquest mode basically sums up to this.”
    • “The sideways combat and ship design keep giving me headaches because of how unintuitive they are; the campaign mechanics are overall fairly shallow.”
  • graphics265 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming pixel art style that evokes a steampunk aesthetic, reminiscent of classic 8-bit games. While some players find the visuals simple and retro, many appreciate the unique art style and the detail in animations, explosions, and ship designs, which contribute to an engaging gameplay experience. Overall, the graphics are seen as fitting for the game's mechanics, allowing for extensive customization and modding opportunities, despite not being cutting-edge.

    • “Has arguably one of the most unique and detailed art styles; every area of content fits into the world of the game seamlessly.”
    • “The graphics are charmingly old-world, but it works well enough.”
    • “The graphics, while simple, show great detail and give some character to the game that I don't think fancier graphics could achieve.”
    • “While technically impressive for a game released by a single developer, the graphics are muted, the gameplay was unexciting, and the game is priced significantly higher than it is worth.”
    • “The only negative I have is if you're looking for top graphics, this ain't it.”
    • “What that money goes into is beyond me as the graphics are basic and past the development of the diplomacy update very little has been done to the game for the last 2 years.”
  • replayability114 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players highlighting the extensive customization options, diverse gameplay modes, and active modding community that significantly enhance the experience. While some reviews mention limitations in the base content, the procedural generation and frequent updates contribute to a sense of freshness and endless possibilities. However, a few users express concerns about the game feeling bland after a while, indicating that replayability may vary based on individual preferences and play styles.

    • “Awesome and unique art style, consistent updates, replayability only limited by your own creativity.”
    • “The vanilla game itself is infinitely replayable, but when you get into the modding scene, it opens up an even more vast realm of possibilities.”
    • “The sheer amount of customization both functionally and aesthetically allows for a ton of replayability, and unlike a lot of other games of this type, you are not punished for trying something new.”
    • “Because this one feels incredibly bland and runs out of replay value far too quickly.”
    • “It's an okay game with an interesting concept but very limited content and poor replayability.”
    • “This unfortunately kills any replayability of the campaign for me - it's just a generic sandbox.”
  • music81 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers praising the soundtrack as "amazing" and "phenomenal." While some players noted that the music can be repetitive and occasionally too loud, the majority found it to be a perfect fit for the gameplay, contributing to an immersive experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, complementing the game's art style and mechanics effectively.

    • “Great soundtrack, cozy art direction, and great gameplay.”
    • “The music is amazing and sets a perfect atmosphere for the game.”
    • “The soundtrack complements the game very nicely, especially during battles.”
    • “The music is too much in certain menus and you can't change the volume without exiting everything you're currently doing.”
    • “The music is repetitive, but there's a music expansion mod that complements it.”
    • “The sound design combines well with the graphic style also, even if the music can sometimes get tedious - there aren't too many tracks.”
  • story76 mentions

    The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of a traditional narrative, with many players noting that there is no significant story mode or cohesive plot. While some users appreciate the lore and the ability to create their own narratives through gameplay, the overall consensus is that the game focuses more on sandbox mechanics and conquest modes rather than a structured storyline. Players express a desire for more developed missions and a richer narrative experience, but acknowledge the fun and creativity that can still be found within the game's framework.

    • “Unbelievably deep and fun gameplay, detailed simulation, interesting world and story, lots to discover.”
    • “Amazing game, there are no limits to what you can create, even though this game has no plot it still feels like you're part of a story.”
    • “I personally love making vessels that tell a story, and that is easy to do with modules that fit together like Lego.”
    • “There is no story mode or missions that make sense.”
    • “There are a few story type missions in vanilla and more in the workshop, but the main focus of this game is the conquest mode, so if you're looking for some big story you may want to take a pass.”
    • “Storywise, there is nothing, and the conquest mode feels quite empty, although it is playable.”
  • humor43 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players enjoying the comedic mishaps that arise from their ship designs and battles, often leading to hilariously impractical outcomes. The combination of creative shipbuilding, absurd scenarios, and quirky AI interactions contributes to a lighthearted and entertaining experience, making it a joy to experiment and laugh at the chaos that ensues. Overall, the game is described as a funny and engaging blend of steampunk aesthetics and strategic gameplay, perfect for those who appreciate humor in their gaming.

    • “Everything coheres so well that it's just a ton of fun to keep playing, trying out new builds and tactics that are by turns practical and wildly, hilariously impractical.”
    • “The combat itself is fun and satisfying, and the physics can lead to some really funny moments.”
    • “Watching the ship you just spent 30 minutes designing explode 15 seconds into combat is hilarious.”
  • optimization35 mentions

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on lower-end systems and offers a complex building experience, players report significant performance drops during large battles and on expansive maps. Many users express that the game is still in early access, indicating ongoing optimization efforts, but current performance issues, particularly with lag and stuttering, detract from the overall experience. Despite these challenges, the gameplay remains engaging, and the developers are expected to address these concerns in future updates.

    • “Complex, performance friendly - even addicting.”
    • “The strategy and the building are both very well developed. I'm 28 hours in and still learning techniques, and I don't think I have made a pretty or optimized craft.”
    • “This game tickles the engineer part of your brain, trying to build the most optimized, most efficient ships, and the combat is rewarding and challenging at times as well.”
    • “The game isn't totally optimized and will lag on huge maps.”
    • “Only issue I have is in terms of performance; late game battles can become a literal slideshow due to so much happening on screen as massive fleets clash and blow each other into smithereens, but to be fair, my rig is on the weak side, so it might just be a me problem.”
    • “Edit 2: As the game grew better and more complex, which is a good thing, I have experienced a tough drop in performance on my system even without mods, and I have already upgraded it.”
  • stability28 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many users reporting significant bugs and glitches that affect gameplay, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some players find it mostly playable and enjoyable despite these issues, others describe it as a "barely playable mess." Overall, the game shows promise but requires further polish and optimization to enhance stability.

    • “It's incredibly fun, almost bug-free for being in early access, and with swift development that introduces lots of cool features.”
    • “The game runs smoothly with minimal glitches, making for a stable and enjoyable experience.”
    • “I was pleasantly surprised by how stable the game feels, especially considering it's still in early access.”
    • “This game is a barely playable mess of bugs, glitches, and bad mechanics.”
    • “Given that it came out in 2018 and its current clunky/buggy state, I can't recommend it unfortunately.”
    • “Update: after the full release, this game is so buggy for me, wtf.”
  • grinding26 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often requiring excessive repetition and management that detracts from the enjoyment. While some appreciate the potential for modding to alleviate this grind, many express frustration with the game's design flaws, such as a cumbersome UI and lack of advanced tools, which contribute to a sense of monotony. Despite its initial appeal, the grind can become overwhelming, leading to a diminished experience over time.

    • “If the game was simply a battle simulator, I'm not sure I would play it, but the conquest mode offers the most bare-bones of continuous gameplay, and it can be very challenging (if not grindy on large maps).”
    • “This was once a very fun game, but now it's just tedious and there are much better versions of what this is trying to become.”
    • “It becomes tedious and expensive to post ships everywhere, move them, while also sending units to attack.”
    • “Menus will frequently still be accessible behind other menus, several clicks on the UI just didn't register, I couldn't find any way to delete old ship designs, inconsistencies in how left/right click functions in ship design, etc. it's all a bit tedious in the campaign.”
  • atmosphere15 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its rich lore, superb sound design, and engaging visuals, which collectively create an immersive experience. Players appreciate the steampunk aesthetics and atmospheric soundtrack, although some find the visuals and campaign mechanics lacking. Overall, the game's atmosphere significantly enhances the enjoyment of gameplay, making it a standout feature.

    • “The atmosphere is superb, nice SFX and soundtrack too.”
    • “Fantastic atmosphere with a brutal combat system and complex ship designer.”
    • “Everything fits well into place and gives the game a genuine atmosphere.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    Reviews indicate a mixed sentiment regarding monetization, with some players frustrated by intrusive ads and the perception of cash grabs in the gaming industry. However, others appreciate that certain games, like "Airships: Conquer the Skies," do not exploit players financially and offer a more genuine experience without excessive monetization tactics. Overall, while there are concerns about ads and early access pitfalls, some titles are recognized for their fair approach to monetization.

    • “At the time of writing, the dismal cash grab Fallout 76 has come out, and Nvidia's absurdly overpriced RTX range is out.”
    • “Stop spamming my library with ads, please.”
    • “If you're into steampunk, pixel art, an active game community, naval battles, humor, retro futurism, light strategy, designing things, an active game developer, etc., but familiar with the gamble that comes with buying an early access title, you might be surprised to learn that Airships: Conquer the Skies is a very pleasant mix of all of the above minus the part where you flush your money down the toilet on yet another lousy early access developer cash grab that festers and dies in the EA quagmire.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, particularly through its conquest mode, which evokes feelings of nostalgia and enthusiasm for gaming after a period of apathy. The engaging mechanics and the challenge of designing airships foster a deep investment in the fate of the characters, enhancing the overall emotional experience. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to rekindle joy and excitement in players.

    • “This game made me feel sincere engaging fun for the first time over a long period of general apathy towards digital entertainment.”
    • “Airships: Conquer the Skies is enormous, evocative fun and, having been ground down by overpriced games like Civ 5 and Total War DLC, endless Dwarf Fortress clones and rude, terrible World of Tanks teammates, this gem has made me feel really enthusiastic about gaming again.”
    • “The wide choice of modules makes designing an airship an interesting challenge, and mine can go through several revisions before it's time to get overly emotionally involved in the plight of your poor air sailors, who run back and forth through the ship trying to stem the damage being wreaked on them by the other side's grenadiers, rockets, cannons, and marines, until eventually one ship or another explodes and carves a chunk out of the landscape.”
  • character development1 mentions

    While the reviews highlight the impressive art style and detailed character design reflective of 1800-1900s imperialism, they do not specifically address character development in terms of narrative or growth. The focus remains on the aesthetic elements rather than the evolution of characters throughout the game.

    • “The character development in this game is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character as their stories unfold.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, with their backstories and motivations becoming more complex as the plot progresses.”
    • “The game does an excellent job of making each character feel unique and relatable, with personal growth that resonates with the player.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Play time

15hMedian play time
19hAverage play time
4-29hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 15 analyzed playthroughs

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