"Return to the Skyway" is a 2D side-scrolling puzzle platformer where you help Ezra, a crash-landed aeronaut, navigate through a mysterious, uncharted island filled with strange creatures and towering trees. Overcome obstacles with the help of local fauna, find hidden dangers beneath the canopy, and collect three ship parts scattered throughout the island. Experience a beautiful and fantastical setting in this immersive adventure.
The game is free and offers a fun, albeit short, experience that showcases the creativity of its student developers.
The graphics and art style are charming, with cute animal characters and a beautiful environment that enhances the gameplay.
Despite its simplicity, the game has potential and provides an enjoyable way to spend a brief amount of time.
The game suffers from a lack of polish, with issues such as awkward controls, glitches, and a very short playtime.
Many players found the mechanics to be frustrating, particularly the movement and jumping, which can feel floaty or unresponsive.
Overall, the game feels incomplete and more like a demo than a fully realized product, leaving players wanting more depth and content.
gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
36%
21%
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and ease of controls, making it accessible and enjoyable for players. While the game is relatively short, it features interesting mechanics and beautiful art and animation, providing a charming platforming experience. Players appreciated the peaceful music and the fun of exploring the environment using unique character abilities.
“Very cute game, simple gameplay, and it worked great on my Steam Deck!”
“A 'Pixar short'-sized bit of platformer gameplay from a student team at DigiPen that, nevertheless, delivers on some interesting mechanics and really beautiful art and animation.”
“Pretty short and the mechanics are simple enough.”
“Peaceful music, easy controls, and simple gameplay.”
“A 'Pixar short'-sized bit of platformer gameplay from a student team at Digipen that, nevertheless, delivers on some interesting mechanics and really beautiful art and animation.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
50%
The graphics of the platformer are described as mediocre, though slightly better than some professional indie titles. Overall, while there are some positive remarks about the visuals, they do not significantly enhance the game's appeal.
“The graphics are truly stunning.”
“The visuals are incredibly impressive.”
“The artwork and design are absolutely beautiful.”
“This platformer is really not good; while it works, the graphics are mediocre at best (better than what 'professional' indie devs put out, of course).”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The story has garnered interest from players who are eager to explore it further; however, many feel that the current content resembles a demo rather than a fully developed narrative.
“I would love to play more and explore the story further, but what is currently released feels more like a demo.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music in the game is consistently described as peaceful, complementing the easy controls and simple gameplay, creating a relaxing overall experience for players.
“Peaceful music, easy controls, and simple gameplay.”