Old Skies

About

Old Skies is a single player action game. It was developed by Wadjet Eye Games and was released on April 23, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

In Old Skies, you play Fia Quinn, a time agent tasked with monitoring wealthy travelers visiting seven distinct historical eras. Navigate puzzles requiring temporal thinking while ensuring clients follow rules and remain satisfied. Death is possible, but time travel lets you retry and uncover the complex consequences of altering history.

Genres & Tags

Adventure

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 801 reviews

story289 positive mentions

grinding7 negative mentions

Engaging and emotional story that explores themes of impermanence and human connection.
High-quality voice acting and well-developed characters that draw players in.
Clever use of time travel mechanics that enhance puzzle-solving and narrative depth.

Puzzles can be too easy and lack complexity, leading to a more linear experience.
Some character designs and close-up animations feel inconsistent and less appealing.
The overarching narrative may feel rushed or unsatisfying to some players, particularly towards the end.

story
705 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
58%
1%
The story of "Old Skies" is a complex and emotionally engaging narrative that intertwines time travel with personal themes of loss, identity, and connection. While some players found the episodic structure and pacing uneven, many praised the writing, character development, and the way the story evolves, particularly in the later chapters. Overall, it is regarded as a standout example of storytelling in the point-and-click genre, with a unique take on time travel that resonates deeply with players.
- “The story shines in this beautiful and alluring point and click adventure.”
- “The story is excellent, from start to finish.”
- “The story is captivating, and I could feel for the characters.”
- “There was a lot of repetition and the overarching story was honestly boring.”
- “The story is weak.”
- “The story tries so hard to make you care about some characters, but I was absolutely unable to get attached to them.”
gameplay
138 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
66%
4%
The gameplay is primarily a classic point-and-click adventure, enhanced by well-integrated time travel mechanics that add depth to puzzle-solving and narrative progression. While some players appreciate the innovative twists and streamlined interactions, others find the gameplay somewhat linear and sparse in challenging puzzles, often relying heavily on dialogue and trial-and-error mechanics. Overall, the combination of engaging storytelling and polished mechanics makes for a captivating experience, though opinions vary on the balance between narrative and gameplay complexity.
- “The rewind and time-travel mechanics are well integrated and executed.”
- “The gameplay is a classic adventure with conversations and item use, but it adds a spin on the genre by using time travel mechanics in an interesting way.”
- “Mechanically, the game works extremely well and allows the story and art to shine: gameplay is smooth and responsive, the interface is unobtrusive and functional, and everything feels very polished.”
- “The gameplay is admittedly pretty sparse.”
- “The gameplay is (at least initially) pretty boring and so linear, it feels more like a walking sim.”
- “Playing through the same actions again and again wore me down, making things feel more mechanical than magical.”
graphics
137 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
54%
4%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning, high-resolution artwork and smooth animations that enhance the overall experience. However, some players expressed disappointment with the new art style, feeling it lacks the charm of previous pixel art designs and can appear inconsistent or simplistic. Overall, while the visuals are often described as beautiful and immersive, personal preferences regarding the art style vary significantly among players.
- “The hand-drawn graphics are gorgeous, the world is beautifully designed with tons of details and various locations to explore, the voice acting performances are outstanding, the music is fantastic, and the animations are impressively smooth.”
- “Gorgeous hand-drawn visuals with rich details and a beautifully balanced color palette.”
- “An absolutely immersive point-and-click adventure with stunning artwork and animation!”
- “Not a big fan of the graphics.”
- “The graphics are the biggest disappointment for me.”
- “I did not like the new art style; I think their previous title, Unavowed, had more personality, atmosphere, and character.”
emotional
106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Old Skies" is widely praised, with players highlighting its powerful storytelling, character development, and the ability to evoke a range of feelings, from laughter to tears. The game effectively explores complex themes related to time travel and personal dilemmas, creating a deeply engaging narrative that resonates with players on a personal level. Many reviewers noted the exceptional writing and voice acting, which enhance the emotional impact, making it a memorable experience that lingers long after completion.
- “Dave Gilbert is a talented writer, and his stories always pack an emotional punch; the game's powerful ending is a good example of this.”
- “I laughed, I cried, I cried even harder, laughed again, and now I’m just sad I’ve completed it and there is no more Old Skies to play.”
- “The story is deep and emotionally affecting.”
music
99 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
36%
3%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its quality and ability to enhance the atmosphere, while some noted it can feel repetitive or detached from gameplay. The soundtrack, often described as jazzy and fitting for various scenes, is complemented by strong voice acting and beautiful art, contributing to an immersive experience. Overall, while the music is generally well-received, a few players found it unremarkable or lacking in standout moments.
- “A great game - the story, the characters, the music design, the riddles - it all fits so well together.”
- “Impeccable voice acting and a haunting soundtrack amplify the magic to its fullest.”
- “The soundtrack features diverse tracks that enhance each location and timeline, further immersing the player.”
- “The soundtrack is just too detached from gameplay... I find it hard to keep playing after my first 30 minutes or so because of this.”
- “The themes discussed in this game are quite serious, but the music, art, voice acting, and game design are generally whimsical, resulting in a cacophony of unrealized potential.”
- “Music is a bit of a disappointment, to be honest, despite being the work of Thomas Regin.”
humor
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
6%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and integration with the narrative, providing a refreshing balance between lighthearted moments and deeper emotional themes. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, engaging character interactions, and the ability to evoke laughter through both absurd situations and well-timed jokes. Overall, the humor enhances the gameplay experience, making it both entertaining and memorable.
- “The humor is a breath of fresh air, and I don't remember the last time an adventure had me laughing so hard.”
- “There's a rare humor and heart present throughout, a sincerity that never feels saccharine.”
- “A timey-wimey story that is by turns hilariously farcical (think Back to the Future shenanigans) and absolutely heart-wrenching and moving.”
- “Maybe the terrible puns are supposed to be funny?”
- “The jokes fall flat and feel forced, lacking any real wit.”
- “I found the humor to be cringeworthy rather than entertaining.”
atmosphere
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
72%
11%
17%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beautiful art, engaging soundtracks, and immersive storytelling, creating a unique experience that resonates with fans of the genre. While some reviewers noted a preference for previous art styles, the overall ambiance is characterized by rich detail and a strong sense of place across different time periods. The combination of atmospheric visuals, compelling voice acting, and well-crafted music contributes to a cozy and captivating gaming experience.
- “The soundtracks, however, were the best; they fit the atmosphere of the game nicely.”
- “Wadjet Eye perfectly found the right balance, with the perfect atmosphere, lovable sounds, and an adorable story.”
- “The atmosphere of each era is perfectly captured, and the attention to detail is... *chef's kiss*.”
- “I did not like the new art style; I think their previous title, Unavowed, had more personality, atmosphere, and character.”
- “I'm not the right person to judge the puzzles because I only play these games for their stories and atmosphere, and Old Skies delivers these in spades.”
- “Unlike in Hob's Barrow, for instance, where I was more into the whole story and atmosphere.”
optimization
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
27%
20%
Overall, the optimization of the game is highly praised, with exceptional voice acting, stunning hand-drawn graphics, and smooth animations contributing to an immersive experience. The writing and performances are noted for their emotional depth and relatability, enhancing character development and storytelling. Players appreciate the high production quality, which elevates the game's atmosphere and engagement.
- “The hand-drawn graphics are gorgeous, the world is beautifully designed with tons of details and various locations to explore, the voice acting performances are outstanding, the music is fantastic, and the animations are impressively smooth.”
- “The voice acting is phenomenal, as usual, with a mix of well-known voices to fans of the studio and larger franchise, some new ones, and Sally Beaumont, who I hope becomes yet another fixture in Wadjet Eye's voice roster, giving a fantastic performance in the lead role.”
- “Some of the writing and performances felt artificial or heavy-handed.”
- “A fully-voiced game like this (I can only imagine how long the recording sessions must have been!) lives or dies based on the performances.”
- “Wadjet Eye has topped themselves with this release in so many ways: animation, art, voice performances, game mechanics, QA (so many paths to check!), but what really stands out to me is how far they've come as storytellers.”
character development
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
43%
21%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while the protagonist Fia's journey is praised for its depth and emotional resonance, some players feel her lack of personal connections limits her growth. The storytelling is noted for its intricate structure and ability to evoke strong feelings, yet criticisms arise regarding the character designs, which detract from the overall experience. Overall, the writing and character arcs are highlighted as standout elements, contributing to a compelling narrative.
- “I'd argue that the main protagonist, Fia - her story and the gentle character development she undergoes throughout the game - is exemplary for the genre.”
- “The storytelling and character development recall one of those indie movies that seem to be made of small character moments and individual episodes, until they all accumulate like the proverbial snowball rolling downhill and the emotional climax of the game ties it all together in a powerful way.”
- “I want to avoid spoilers here, but I also want to call out the character development as another great aspect of this game - the great writing got me to care about the characters.”
- “The character designs in particular are rather poor for the most part.”
- “Fia has almost no personal connection to anyone or any motivation beyond just doing her job, so there's little room for character development.”
- “I would have liked to have character development and a strong, overarching storyline.”
grinding
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, with repetitive puzzles and lengthy dialogue detracting from the overall experience. Many reviews highlight the frustration of being caught in loops and the lack of rewarding moments in puzzle-solving, leading to a sense of monotony rather than engagement. While the concept of time travel puzzles is appreciated, the execution often feels laborious and uninspired.
- “I found this game tedious fast.”
- “The instances of being caught in a death loop were more tedious than fun and clever.”
- “But, you know, I also expect this thing called puzzles... and in three or so hours of playing this, it has hardly had any at all, let alone any that give a eureka moment of reward for 'solving them'. In fact, it's had large stretches of mind-numbing dialogue and one extremely tedious Groundhog Day-esque example of a time loop that played out so often to get to a solution that I contemplated killing all of the characters (except you can't).”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The game exhibits some graphical glitches, particularly noticeable at the character's neck, but overall, it is described as mostly stable and bug-free, providing a solid experience for genre fans. While there are minor issues, they are not game-breaking.
- “The game offers a bug-free experience, making it a must-play for anyone who's a fan of the genre!”
- “The stability of the game allows for seamless travel scenes with engaging conversations and fantastic art.”
- “I was impressed by the overall stability, which enhanced my enjoyment of the game's beautiful visuals and storytelling.”
- “The game looks okay, but there are some graphical glitches, such as a line at the neck of the main character, where different body parts are likely stitched together from different animation loops.”
- “Somewhat buggy, but nothing game-breaking.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
While "Old Skies" offers a unique exploration of its themes, reviewers note that it lacks significant replayability, making it more of a one-time experience rather than a game to revisit frequently. However, many agree that the ten hours spent playing it are still worthwhile.
- “It's not easy to find games that explore themes like that with the aplomb of old skies, and though I wouldn't say it's especially replayable, it's definitely a worthwhile expenditure of ten hours or so.”