False Skies
- May 11, 2020
- Feenicks
- 35h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"False Skies" is a classic RPG set in a world where stars have fallen from the sky. The game features fast-paced, turn-based battles and an intricate class system, allowing players to create a party of up to 8 distinct classes and layer on new classes as they progress. With no equipment restrictions, players can customize their characters to their liking and explore over a dozen dungeons while encountering over 300 types of enemies. Communication is lost and monsters run rampant, while rumors of a strange group of horned people from a vanished city spread.
PC
Windows
Linux
Xbox
Reviews
- False Skies offers a deep and engaging class system that allows for extensive customization and experimentation with character builds.
- The game features a rich world filled with secrets, well-designed dungeons, and a captivating story that keeps players invested throughout their journey.
- With a nostalgic aesthetic reminiscent of classic JRPGs, the game combines charming pixel art and a catchy chiptune soundtrack, enhancing the overall experience.
- The game suffers from quality of life issues, such as a cumbersome map access system and a lack of in-game notes or quest logs, making it difficult to track objectives.
- Some players may find the encounter rate to be excessively high, leading to potential frustration during exploration, despite the availability of repel items.
- The class system, while innovative, can be confusing due to the lack of clear information about class abilities and the permanence of class changes, which may deter some players.
- story62 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story in "False Skies" is engaging and well-crafted, drawing inspiration from classic RPGs like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, though it may not break new ground. Players appreciate the intriguing plot twists and character development that unfold as the game progresses, despite some initial confusion and a lack of hand-holding in quest guidance. Overall, the narrative is complemented by a rich world and a variety of side quests, making for a satisfying experience for those who enjoy exploration and storytelling in their RPGs.
“The story and world building are masterful and extremely ambitious for an indie RPG by a solo developer.”
“The story is surprisingly high quality as well considering the type of game this is.”
“One of the best JRPGs I've played in a long time, it's got a fresh take on a traditional job system, great story that kept me hooked the whole way through with an interesting cast.”
“Nothing outside of where you need to go next for the main story is signposted, and there are a lot of things off the beaten path.”
“And it's difficult to engage with what story is present, or with all the unexplained items and character skills and stats.”
“Speaking of which... the story starts okay, then it's confusing, then things make sense, then it's confusing again, then it's like 'oh cool I kinda wish it was like this from the beginning.' and branches off to ???????”
- music30 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy chiptune soundtrack that complements the retro aesthetic and gameplay, with many tracks standing out, particularly in battle and boss themes. While some users noted minor issues with a few tracks being overly busy or grating, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is solid and enhances the nostalgic experience, making it a highlight for fans of JRPGs. Many players expressed a desire for a complete soundtrack release, indicating its strong impact on their enjoyment of the game.
“The whole soundtrack is generally inoffensive chiptunes that go well with what you're doing; a few of the tracks really stand out as good. There are plenty of battle themes, so you don't get tired of hearing the same song forever, and individual cities tend to have unique or only-used-a-couple-of-times tracks.”
“The music is some of the best chiptunes I've heard in a long time.”
“The soundtrack is also extremely strong overall, with a few dungeon and boss themes that stuck in my head even after turning the game off.”
“The music sometimes plinks when I think it should plonk, and the menu confirm noises are a little too sharp.”
“There are a few exceptions that run up against the limits of the medium a bit and can slightly grate, but I can only think of two off the top of my head, and there is a lot of music in this game.”
“The whole soundtrack is generally inoffensive chiptunes that go well with what you're doing, a few of the tracks really stand out as good, there are plenty of battle themes so you don't get tired of hearing the same song forever, individual cities tend to have unique or only-used-a-couple-times tracks.”
- gameplay29 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its solid mechanics, strategic depth, and variety in class stacking and enemy encounters, providing an engaging experience without overwhelming players. While the turn-based combat allows for experimentation and customization, some mechanics lack clarity, requiring players to rely on external resources for guidance. Overall, the game successfully balances exploration, character development, and a compelling narrative, making it enjoyable for both casual and dedicated players.
“There's a lot of variety in how you can stack classes onto previous ones, enemy variety is pretty considerable, and getting new gear feels nice.”
“Each boss is distinct enough to stand out mechanically, and I was rarely ever walled by one, even on hard.”
“The gameplay is pretty solid, with an array of classes available for mixing, and the difficulty feels really well-tuned.”
“The mechanics are not explained very well, and utilizing the class system would be quite confusing if there wasn't an FAQ on Steam that shows how to unlock the classes.”
“For example, item/skill names are often haphazardly abbreviated, and descriptions are terse at best, forcing you to experiment in order to discover the mechanical details.”
“Game play is solid and strategic enough that you won't be bored to tears, but there are a couple mechanics, counters for one, that could have benefited from a bit more transparency.”
- graphics26 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are intentionally designed to evoke the retro aesthetic of Game Boy Color RPGs, featuring charming pixel art and a consistent visual style that resonates with fans of classic titles. While the nostalgic visuals and monster designs are generally well-received, some players noted issues with character differentiation and the animation of certain tiles. Overall, the graphics complement the game's chiptune soundtrack, creating an immersive experience for those who appreciate the retro aesthetic.
“The graphics are always consistently matching the Game Boy Color style it's going for -- everything looks incredible and sucks you right in.”
“False Skies is a fun game with a deep plot and stunning pixel artwork.”
“A great 8-bit throwback with a beautiful aesthetic, wonderful dungeons, and a very interesting setting!”
“Graphically, I mean, it looks like a Game Boy Color game very intentionally.”
“I think my only graphical complaints were that sometimes it was hard to distinguish characters from each other because they had the same rough shape and same color, and moving around the larger world once you're able to do so can be a bit hard on the eyes due to the way that the sea tiles are animated.”
“The graphics settings are awkward and cannot be customized, at least not beyond choosing between either fullscreen or a big un-resizable window taking up almost the whole screen anyway.”
- grinding7 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
Overall, players report that the game minimizes grinding, offering a balanced experience that allows for progression without excessive repetition. While some dungeons may feel tedious and certain quests can be cryptic, the combat system rewards strategic preparation rather than grinding. The game is praised for its ability to deliver a substantial JRPG experience (40-60 hours) without the need for grinding, although a few players noted that some quests could feel grindy in the context of traditional RPG mechanics.
“Really good JRPG that will run you up into the 30-40 hour range, and that's with no grinding; something which the game never asks you to do.”
“The map requires you to open the menu and enter a second menu screen to access rather than being its own hotkey. When you're moving long distances in the overworld, it can feel like you're moving incredibly slowly. Some dungeons overstay their welcome, particularly the second trip into the palace, which has felt tedious. My two biggest gripes are the lack of ability information and a notes system/quest log. The former issue is downright bizarre; unless I completely missed something in my ~50 hours of play, you can see what abilities a class would gain (assuming you've unlocked the class), but you cannot see what those abilities do until you pick the class.”
“Only downside is that some quests can be quite cryptic and way too overpowered for one of the quests; it can be quite grindy, but that's somewhat the essence of an old school RPG at times.”
“I played on normal, and that difficulty felt just right with minimal grinding. I felt prepared just by taking the time to comb through dungeons fully as I went.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is praised for its visual details and immersive mechanics, enhancing the sense of exploration. However, some users feel that the story does not align well with the overall atmosphere, leading to a disjointed experience.
“Incredible atmosphere, mechanics, and sense of exploration make this a game I hope to return to again.”
“Story and atmosphere just don't make sense.”
“Plus there are some nice little moments included purely for visual atmosphere.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is well-executed, with funny moments that resonate alongside serious themes, creating a balanced tone. Players can anticipate a particularly amusing aspect related to the bestiary, which serves as a highlight without revealing spoilers. Overall, the comedic elements enhance the gameplay experience, even during challenging encounters.
“The funny moments tend to land as funny, and while I can't personally take anything seriously, there are serious moments that you'll find that are also well done.”
“There is something else regarding the bestiary that is extremely funny, but it's also a later game spoiler so I will not mention what it is specifically—you'll know when you see it, so please look forward to it.”
“Difficulty is good from my perspective; I'm playing on hard and generally clearing most boss fights on the first attempt, but usually with a hilarious round of casualties and a frantic round or two of hurling resurrection items around.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with only a few edge-case bugs related to mechanics activating on dying enemies. These issues are infrequent and can typically be avoided by changing actions, such as running away.
“There are a couple of buggy interactions with certain mechanics activating on dying enemies, but this is a function of the engine and is an edge case you normally shouldn't encounter. You can generally escape these issues by trying to take another action, like running away.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it difficult to enjoy the experience without constant interruptions.”
“I've encountered numerous stability issues, including random freezes and lag spikes that ruin the flow of gameplay.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that the game's design features contribute significantly to its replayability, making it an engaging experience that encourages players to return for multiple playthroughs.
“It's certainly interesting to think about what makes for good design and gives the game replay value.”
