Return to the Skyway

About

Return to the Skyway is a single player action game. It was developed by Cloud Cats and was released on September 3, 2022. It received positive reviews from players.

Traverse through a fantastical island and utilize the local fauna to destroy obstacles. In this 2D platform, the player controls a character that has crash landed on a tropical island. Complete puzzles utilizing the creatures' unique abilities in order to fix their ship and return to the Skyway!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 32 reviews

music3 positive mentions

stability3 negative mentions

The game features a unique mechanic of using creatures to solve puzzles, which adds an interesting twist to the gameplay.
The art and animation are visually appealing, showcasing the potential of the student developers.
It's a free game that offers a short but enjoyable experience, making it accessible for players looking for a quick platforming adventure.

The game suffers from numerous bugs and glitches, including broken mechanics and performance issues that hinder gameplay.
Controls are awkward and unresponsive, with limited options for customization, making it frustrating for players.
The overall experience feels incomplete and lacks polish, leading to a sense of frustration rather than enjoyment.

gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The gameplay is characterized by simple mechanics and easy controls, making it accessible and enjoyable for players. The integration of unique elements, such as Ezra's augments for navigation, adds depth to the experience, while the charming art and peaceful music enhance the overall atmosphere. Despite its short length, the game successfully combines engaging platforming with intricate design.
- “Very cute game, simple gameplay, and it worked great on my Steam Deck!”
- “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.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is reported to have significant stability issues, with users experiencing numerous bugs that detract from the overall gameplay experience.
- “The game is incredibly buggy.”
- “It crashes frequently, making it unplayable at times.”
- “I experienced constant glitches that ruined the gameplay.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with some users noting instances of missing visuals, such as void boxes that obscure terrain, while others describe the overall quality as mediocre yet better than some indie titles. Despite these criticisms, there are mentions of "really nice" graphics, indicating that opinions vary significantly among players.
- “The graphics are really nice.”
- “I was getting worried I wouldn't be able to complete this one after I encountered my first void box, wherein most or all of the graphics were completely absent, leaving me to guess about the terrain.”
- “Anyway, 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). It's short, and it's not fun.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is characterized as peaceful, complementing the easy controls and simple gameplay, creating a relaxing overall experience for players.
- “The peaceful music creates a calming atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
- “The easy controls allow players to fully immerse themselves in the beautiful soundtrack.”
- “The combination of simple gameplay and soothing music makes for a relaxing gaming session.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with users noting a lack of customizable controls, particularly for non-QWERTY keyboard layouts, slow movement speed, and overall subpar performance.
- “Nothing is rebindable, arrows don't work, so non-QWERTY users are at a disadvantage. Movement is really slow, and performance is subpar.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The story currently available feels incomplete, resembling more of a demo than a fully developed narrative, leaving players eager for more exploration and content.
- “I would love to play more and explore the story further; what is currently released feels more like a demo.”
- “I would love to play more and explore the story further, but what is currently released feels more like a demo.”