Flightless
- October 27, 2017
- Bristol Street Studios
Flightless is a tile-based puzzle adventure game. Navigate your way through a series of floating islands, each presenting a curious puzzle. A minimalist art style and calming piano soundtrack complement senses of wonder and discovery.
Reviews
- The game features simple mechanics and fun gameplay, making it a relaxing experience.
- The visuals and music are beautifully designed, creating a soothing atmosphere.
- Despite its short length, the puzzles are satisfying and provide a nice mental challenge.
- The controls are awkward and can be confusing, especially with the isometric perspective.
- The game is extremely short, often completed in under 20 minutes, leaving players wanting more content.
- There is a lack of clear instructions or a tutorial, which can lead to frustration for new players.
- music64 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and soothing qualities, often described as beautiful piano compositions that enhance the overall relaxing experience. Many players appreciate how the soundtrack complements the game's visuals and gameplay, creating a zen-like atmosphere, although some note that it can become repetitive during longer play sessions. Overall, the music is considered one of the standout features, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
“The music was so relaxing that I stayed and listened to it even after the game ended.”
“The music alone is enough to draw you in; the calm and gentle piano is soothing to listen to, and the game is extremely aesthetically pleasing.”
“The music is amazing, the gameplay is great.”
“Beautiful design, nice music (though it gets repetitive if you get stuck) and cool puzzles.”
“It's rare that game music is pleasing to my ear, mostly because it's just background noise.”
“Although I would like a pause menu and options for the music, as I would love to add my own piano music.”
- graphics38 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a minimalist and low-poly art style that many players find visually pleasing and well-suited to the game's calming aesthetic. While some reviews note the simplicity of the visuals, they are generally praised for their polish and ability to complement the relaxing gameplay and soundtrack. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's appeal, creating a soothing experience despite their basic nature.
“Minimalist and pleasant graphics complement this short, light puzzle game well.”
“The art style is simple, yet it works perfectly with this game, as it's beautiful.”
“The graphics are beautiful and the music is quite nice.”
“This isn't the worst sokoban ripoff I've ever seen, but it's not great either, with locked resolution and lackluster minimalist 'art' used instead of contemporary visuals.”
“The graphics are very simple, but that doesn't mean that they're bad either.”
“The only improvement is a graphical and sound upgrade.”
- gameplay26 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by simple yet engaging mechanics, offering a relaxing experience with clever puzzles and appealing visuals. While the game is notably short, typically completed in under 15 minutes, players appreciate the introduction of new mechanics and the calming atmosphere. However, some users express a desire for more content and smoother movement controls to enhance the overall experience.
“Simple mechanics and fun gameplay; the game itself is short, but of exceptional quality.”
“Clear presentation, neat mechanics, simple puzzles, and an appealing visual design make this a relaxing puzzler.”
“The puzzles are clever and the mechanics interesting; I love the minimalist style along with the colors, I just love everything.”
“The game is nice and relaxing, but the only problem I see is that it is way too short. I completed the game in less than 10 minutes; this game deserves better than this short gameplay, so I hope it gets updates.”
“One complaint I would have with this game is that the movement controls feel clunky, though it can work with certain game mechanics.”
“Short but sweet, the gameplay of this game was solid, but it definitely could have used more levels.”
- story8 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game lacks a substantial story, with players noting the absence of a backstory or character development, focusing instead on puzzle-solving across different zones. While some found the missions interesting, many expressed disappointment over the minimal narrative elements.
“Interesting missions.”
“There's no story to the game, just simply do the puzzles in the three zones.”
“Most games have an in-depth backstory, colossal universes to explore, and characters to dive into.”
“No backstory, no explanation, not even a name for the little guy.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits a mixed level of replayability; while some players find it highly replayable due to engaging puzzle zones, others criticize its short length and lack of replay value. The controls are also noted as a drawback, impacting the overall experience.
“But, this makes the replayability value extremely high, allowing you to play multiple times over and over again.”
“Overall, the controls are a little bit meh, and the game is extremely short, but its puzzle zones and replay value are very good.”
“+ high replayability”
“Plus, there is no replay value.”
“The lack of variety in gameplay makes it hard to want to play again.”
“Once you finish the game, there's little incentive to return.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is described as chill and visually appealing, creating a lovely vibe; however, players note that the controls can feel awkward initially and require some time to adjust.
“The atmosphere is chill and the environment looks good.”
“Lovely vibe and atmosphere.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers suggest that the game's monetization strategy could benefit from a launch on app stores to effectively reach its target audience, potentially generating revenue through advertising and other means.
“The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
“I feel like the game is designed to push players towards in-app purchases rather than providing a balanced experience.”
“It's frustrating that essential features are locked behind a paywall, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 200 % positive mentions
- -400 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players indicate that grinding in the game can be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment or multiple attempts to progress effectively.
“Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
“The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
“I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted to be amusing, though some players feel it is somewhat brief.
“The humor is spot on and keeps you laughing throughout the game!”
“I love the witty dialogue and hilarious situations that arise.”
“The jokes are clever and perfectly timed, making every moment enjoyable.”