Gathering Sky

About

"Gathering Sky" is a narrative-driven, experiential game that allows players to control a flock of birds. Soar through the sky, solving puzzles and experiencing a wordless story of friendship, loss, and freedom. With no text or dialogue, the game relies on dynamic music and visuals to convey emotion and meaning.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 338 reviews

music146 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

Gathering Sky features beautiful artwork and an incredible soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, making it a visually and audibly captivating journey.
The game provides a relaxing and meditative experience, allowing players to unwind while guiding a flock of birds through serene landscapes.
It evokes a range of emotions and offers a unique, artistic experience that feels more like an interactive performance than a traditional game.

The gameplay is very simplistic and can feel aimless, with little direction or challenge, leading some players to feel bored or disengaged.
Many players found the game to be too short, often completing it in under an hour, which may not justify the price for some.
There is a lack of tutorials or clear mechanics, which can lead to confusion and frustration, especially for those expecting a more structured gaming experience.

music
236 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
37%
1%
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and emotional depth, with many reviewers highlighting the orchestral score as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience. The soundtrack is described as relaxing and immersive, perfectly synchronized with the gameplay and visuals, creating a harmonious atmosphere that transports players on a soothing journey. While some players noted that the game leans more towards an interactive musical experience than traditional gameplay, the combination of stunning music and art makes it a compelling choice for those seeking a tranquil escape.
- “Aided by the beautiful work of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, which excellently sets the mood throughout in a fantastic score.”
- “The music is amazing and changes to match the mood of the story, the visuals change along with the music creating a harmonious balance.”
- “The music guides you on an emotional journey that finds you growing invested in your little bird, drawn in and surrounded by the sound.”
- “The music is okay, but it didn't stand out to me.”
- “If you want to buy some orchestral music and look at some art, then this is for you.”
- “If you've watched the videos and questioned, 'do I just fly around and listen to music?' yes, that's all there is.”
gameplay
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
65%
4%
The gameplay is characterized as simple and linear, focusing more on creating an immersive experience through art and music rather than challenging mechanics. While some players find it relaxing and visually appealing, others criticize it for being confusing and lacking sufficient tutorials, leading to frustration. Overall, it is described as more of an "experience" than a traditional game, appealing to those seeking a tranquil journey rather than intense gameplay.
- “It's a peaceful gameplay focused on immersion with the music that hopefully will make you feel a wide range of emotions in a short time span.”
- “I loved everything about it: it looked pretty, the gameplay was relaxing and the soundtrack was a perfect fit.”
- “Very pretty and charming game with a lovely, unique art style and fantastic soundtrack which really complements and mirrors the ebb and flow of the gameplay.”
- “Sadly, I'd have to categorize it as actually quite stressful and rather upsetting, as you constantly lose birds to frustrating and opaque mechanics.”
- “Without any sufficient tutorial, choice of difficulty, or really any introduction to the mechanics, I 'lost' my first game.”
- “The gameplay is somewhere between confusing and pointless.”
graphics
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
24%
6%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning artwork and painterly backgrounds, creating a relaxing and immersive experience. Players appreciate the fluid animation and unique art style, which harmoniously complements the game's evocative soundtrack. Overall, the visuals are described as beautiful and charming, enhancing the contemplative nature of the gameplay.
- “Only played half an hour or so but really enjoyed every second of it; it was so relaxing thanks to the gorgeous artwork and soundtrack.”
- “Stunning artwork, fluid animation, and one of the greatest soundtracks I've ever heard in an indie title makes this more than the sum of its parts.”
- “A contemplative, richly artistic experience that couldn't exist in any other medium, gathering Sky's thoughtful wordless narrative, painterly graphics, moving soundtrack, and gloriously fun sense of flight make this one of the best ~40 minutes you can spend in a game.”
- “If I wanted to hear semi-irritating, but supposed to be calming and soothing music with mid-low quality graphics play by itself, I can just hop onto YouTube.”
- “Beautiful art game with orchestral music and simple, hand-drawn visuals.”
- “Individually, the art style, the music, gameplay, level design, are all good.”
story
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
73%
9%
The game's story is minimal and largely conveyed through its stunning visuals and music, allowing players to create their own narrative as they guide a flock of birds on a journey. While some find the experience emotionally resonant and reflective of themes like mortality and loss, others criticize the linearity and predictability of the plot. Overall, the storytelling is subtle and open to interpretation, with many players appreciating the artistic expression over traditional narrative structure.
- “The music is amazing and changes to match the mood of the story, the visuals change along with the music creating a harmonious balance.”
- “It has a story you tell yourself, and through a perfect expression of time and season, the player is left with something that makes us face our own mortality and beautiful existence.”
- “An intriguing story told only by the environment and its music.”
- “20 minutes game without much of a story and zero emotions.”
- “Moreover, the overall story is short and fairly predictable.”
- “The player's view is a little narrow, however, and the game quickly exhausts its repertoire of things going on, to the point where some of its additional plot features end up feeling a little contrived.”
emotional
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game evokes a profound emotional response through its serene and sometimes intense atmospheric sequences, allowing players to form unexpected attachments to the birds they guide. Users report feelings of warmth, relaxation, and introspection, often highlighting the game's ability to resonate deeply, particularly for those dealing with anxiety or depression. The combination of visual art and music creates a captivating emotional journey that leaves a lasting impact, with many expressing that it moved them to tears.
- “I wish I could always feel like how this game made me feel; it was captivating and an intense feeling of warmth and relaxation.”
- “The music guides you on an emotional journey that finds you growing invested in your little bird, drawn in and surrounded by the sound.”
- “It takes you on an unexpected emotional journey using visual art, music, and a flock of birds, which you can direct or just watch as you choose.”
atmosphere
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
25%
15%
The game is praised for its beautifully crafted atmosphere, featuring serene and emotionally charged sequences that enhance the player's experience as they guide a flock of birds through various painted backgrounds. The combination of soothing music and visually appealing scenes creates a relaxing yet engaging journey, making it a worthwhile experience despite its short length. Each level successfully establishes a distinct atmosphere, contributing to the overall emotional impact of the game.
- “Beautiful, atmospheric game that was both relaxing and surprisingly emotional.”
- “The game takes you through a range of emotions, backed by atmospheric music, that engage you in the journey of your flock and sweep you along on a soothing voyage.”
- “Every level has a different atmosphere, and each is wonderfully achieved.”
- “Not very long, but still manages to create an atmosphere for how long it is.”
- “There are some 6 scenes of nice painted backgrounds, nice music, with the combination of the two setting the atmosphere.”
- “Take a flock of birds through their migration in a journey through the skies, sometimes in a serene, calm atmosphere, and other times in a rather more emotionally charged sequence.”
replayability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
60%
30%
The game's replayability is generally considered limited, as players can only explore a finite number of paths and experiences, leading to minimal variation in gameplay. However, some find it enjoyable enough to revisit for its emotional and musical journey, making it a quick yet potentially relaxing experience. Overall, while it may not offer extensive replay value, it can still be worth revisiting for those who appreciate its unique atmosphere.
- “It’s both short (so you don’t waste entire days playing it) and replayable (so you can waste entire days if you really wanted to).”
- “More importantly, I think this game's replayability is very limited: there are only so many places to go and you can't really get far off the path it's encouraging you to follow, nor can you vary what you do much.”
- “It would have a certain amount of replay value - it may not change much each time, depending on how you guide your flock, but you can at least ride the wave of music and emotions again... if you can bear it!”
- “Some people have found it relaxing and replayable.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The optimization of the game is designed to enhance the experience of an interactive musical performance, where players lead a flock of crows in a visually captivating environment that synchronizes with the music. While it may not fit traditional gaming mechanics, the focus on visual and auditory harmony creates a unique and immersive experience.
- “It's not as much of a game as it is a visualized concert/musical performance in the form of leading a flock of crows.”
- “There was a similar kind of performance played there, and the building had decorations that moved in harmony with the mood of the tune.”
- “It's an interactive performance.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by users who creatively engage with it, such as writing reviews in the style of characters from popular shows like "That '70s Show." This playful approach suggests that the game encourages a lighthearted and entertaining atmosphere.
- “I had this funny review where I was writing as if I were Leo from That '70s Show.”

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