Baldr Sky

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In Baldr Sky, players explore a futuristic world where people use brain chips to access AI-crafted virtual realities, which can have dangerous consequences. As mercenary Kou Kadokura, players aim to uncover those responsible for the Gray Christmas tragedy while dealing with memory loss and forming alliances. The game combines the stories of Baldr Sky Dive1 “Lost Memory” and Baldr Sky Dive2 “Recordare” into one thrilling experience. Note: All characters are 18 years or older.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 335 reviews

story124 positive mentions

grinding6 negative mentions

Engaging and intricate storyline that keeps players invested for over 100 hours.
Unique blend of visual novel and action gameplay, allowing for customizable combat mechanics.
Well-developed characters and immersive world-building that enhance the overall experience.

Repetitive scenes and dialogue that can detract from the pacing and enjoyment of the story.
Technical issues such as crashes and poor optimization can disrupt gameplay.
Some characters and plot points feel clichéd or underdeveloped, leading to a lack of emotional impact.

story
347 mentions
36 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story of "Baldr Sky" is widely praised for its intricate world-building, compelling characters, and engaging sci-fi narrative that combines themes of memory, technology, and personal tragedy. While many players appreciate the depth and emotional resonance of the plot, some criticize its pacing, particularly due to repetitive flashbacks and lengthy exposition that can disrupt the flow. Overall, the storytelling is considered a standout feature, making it a must-play for fans of visual novels, despite some gameplay elements that may detract from the experience.
- “The storytelling really shocked me with how good it was throughout the game, and I found just about all of the characters to be well written and memorable.”
- “The truly phenomenal storytelling overrules the downsides though to deliver one of the best sci-fi stories on the market.”
- “The story is top-notch and the gameplay was super fun; I spent like half the time trying to figure out the new combo, and whenever it succeeded I always jumped with joy.”
- “At about hour 3 or 4, the story just devolves into long, boring, juvenile flashbacks about the protagonist's past that completely break the pace and clash with the gritty tone it was trying to establish.”
- “The story has repetitive feeling, but as the story goes on, I found it's intended by the story designer.”
- “The majority of it is awesome, but the final route (with the true ending), which should be the best part of the story, felt rushed and lacking compared to the other routes.”
gameplay
167 mentions
35 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Baldr Sky" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its depth and mechanics, particularly the combo system and RPG elements, which add a unique layer to the visual novel experience. However, some criticize the combat for being repetitive and unpolished, with issues like a frustrating lock-on system detracting from the overall enjoyment. Despite these flaws, the gameplay is often described as rewarding and engaging, making it a noteworthy aspect of the game that complements its compelling narrative.
- “Baldr Sky, originally released in 2009, continues to captivate players with its intricate storyline and satisfying gameplay loop.”
- “The gameplay is fantastic as well, especially as you start to unlock more and more techniques and plugins and can really start fleshing out your combos.”
- “Baldr Sky is one of the best visual novels out there, one of the few instances where gameplay and story are both ace quality and complement each other.”
- “A very intriguing, compelling story, for the most part told in a good way, almost derailed by a terrible, forced, unnecessary gameplay addition in the form of its combat system.”
- “The gameplay drifts between frustrating and dull.”
- “There's also a horrendous lock-on system, which is probably the most egregious mechanic out of this entire game, and honestly one of the worst mechanics in any video game I've played over the past 10 years.”
music
54 mentions
46 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the narrative, with many reviewers highlighting the soundtrack as a standout feature that complements both combat and atmospheric moments. Tracks are noted for their fittingness to various scenes, creating a memorable experience that resonates with players, particularly in the context of its sci-fi and cyberpunk themes. Overall, the soundtrack is described as exceptional, with many calling it a "banger" and a key element of the game's appeal.
- “The game's soundtrack is another highlight, perfectly complementing the emotional intensity of the narrative.”
- “Baldr Sky's soundtrack has genuinely impressed me in multiple ways, with songs that fit so well into the combat and make for incredibly hyped fights, to ones that fit incredibly creepy atmospheres and wouldn't be misplaced in a game about exploring abandoned space stations.”
- “The game's music is excellent.”
- “The game has a wonderful mix of stellar storytelling, lovable characters and a solid soundtrack, but everything else is so poorly executed that this also turned out to be one of the worst gaming experiences of my life.”
- “I never thought it was possible for a soundtrack to make me feel slightly nervous or perturbed, and much less one paired with still images which just have some voice acting over them.”
- “Although I really wish I could buy the OST so I don't need to open the game to listen to the soundtrack.”
emotional
17 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its compelling narrative, well-developed characters, and a soundtrack that enhances the overall intensity. While many players appreciate the emotional depth and connections fostered throughout the story, some feel it lacks a strong emotional climax. Overall, the game successfully evokes a range of feelings, from joy to sorrow, making it a memorable experience despite some critiques regarding the impact of character mortality.
- “The game's soundtrack is another highlight, perfectly complementing the emotional intensity of the narrative.”
- “The emotional value brought by all of its endings is truly well written even when it's supposedly the 'bad' ending, but this is why I really like Baldur's Gate 3.”
- “There were times when I laughed, I cried, I felt anxious and demoralized due to the proceedings of the story, and times when I genuinely felt lost even when not playing the story.”
graphics
15 mentions
33 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
The graphics of Baldr Sky are a mixed bag; while the visual novel elements feature a unique art style and impressive character designs, the gameplay graphics are criticized for appearing outdated, reminiscent of 80s arcade games. Despite this, many players appreciate the solid art direction and the game's aesthetic, which aligns well with its sci-fi themes. Overall, while the graphics may not meet modern standards, they still hold a nostalgic charm for some players.
- “Baldr Sky is a visual novel with some fairly unique world-building, fun sci-fi concepts, interesting enough mystery, an overall great setting, amazing OST, and one of my favorite art styles for both its background and character visuals.”
- “The mecha design is also nice because they're going with the real robot aesthetic, which is truly fitting for a hard sci-fi theme.”
- “The gameplay visuals also look great, with what appears to be pre-rendered 3D assets for its sprites.”
- “The graphics of the game look like they were made for an arcade in the 80s... the visual novel looks fine, but this is unplayable to me and I will refund.”
- “Graphics and resolution can seem a bit outdated, but nice enough (original game was released in 2009).”
- “Since it uses game engines and graphics from 10 years ago, it's a bit outdated.”
grinding
6 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding mechanics in the game to be tedious and cumbersome, often requiring them to replay sections or complete the game multiple times to unlock better options. While some recommend starting on higher difficulties to expedite the process, the overall sentiment is that grinding can become frustrating, especially when players are unable to develop necessary skills or face overwhelming damage requirements.
- “The issue with the mech action RPG is that all battles are story battles broken up by long scenes, and the game has some grindy mechanics. The only ways to grind are to finish the entire game and unlock scene select, or play a new game plus route you've already completed so you can fast forward or skip scenes that aren't new to you.”
- “Grinding can become tedious and difficult, especially when you don't develop or can't develop the better skills yet.”
- “I get what they were going for, but grinding millions of points of damage, especially during the harder parts of the game, is an enormous pain.”
character development
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its distinctive and appealing character designs, which enhance player engagement. While some minor issues are addressed through dialogue, the overall interactions and growth of the characters are well-received, although the adult character designs have received criticism.
- “Character development and interactions feel great.”
- “Character design is surprisingly good, and some of the smaller gripes are explained away with a throwaway line here and there.”
- “I liked the character designs and VN sprites.”
- “The 'adult' character designs are really bad.”
humor
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is characterized by a blend of adult and juvenile jokes, effectively enhancing the comedic experience. Notable characters like the villain Gilbert are described as both comically evil and entertaining, contributing to the overall hilarity of the game. The mix of funny and cringe-worthy moments adds to its charm, making it a standout in the beat 'em up genre.
- “One villain in particular, Gilbert, is so comically evil and scummy that you end up finding him hilarious.”
- “It also has a good mix of some adult and some a bit more juvenile humor which works in context.”
- “Gilbert, Gregory, Anan, and the true villain were all either hilarious or face-palm worthy with how they were executed.”
atmosphere
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive post-apocalyptic setting, enhanced by a compelling soundtrack that complements both intense combat and eerie exploration. Reviewers appreciate how the music elevates the overall vibe, making the world feel alive and engaging.
- “But rather how much you love the world, combat, atmosphere, and overall vibe of the setting.”
- “Post-apocalyptic atmosphere.”
- “Baldr Sky's soundtrack has genuinely impressed me in multiple ways, with songs that fit so well into the combat and create incredibly hyped fights, as well as those that evoke an incredibly creepy atmosphere, fitting perfectly in a game about exploring abandoned space stations or the like.”
- “Post-apocalyptic atmosphere”
- “Baldr Sky's soundtrack has genuinely impressed me in multiple ways, with songs that fit so well into the combat and create incredibly hyped fights, as well as ones that contribute to an incredibly creepy atmosphere that wouldn't be out of place in a game about exploring abandoned space stations.”
replayability
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game offers high replayability due to its engaging gameplay and diverse range of mecha options, ensuring that players can enjoy different experiences with each playthrough.
- “This game offers a fantastic variety of gameplay options, making it incredibly fun to replay.”
- “The diverse mechanics and different strategies keep the experience fresh every time you play.”
- “With so many unique mechs and playstyles, I find myself coming back for more again and again.”