Skyborn

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 448 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Skyborn Game Cover
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"Skyborn" is a single-player Role Playing game with an interesting plot, good gameplay, stunning visuals, and a breathtaking orchestral soundtrack. Players explore a steampunk world as Claret Spencer, a skilled mechanic who becomes involved in a city-wide conflict, meeting lovable characters and unraveling secrets along the way. The game features multiple character classes, some grinding, and a mix of humor and emotional depth.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 448 reviews
story208 positive mentions
grinding29 negative mentions
  • Engaging story with well-developed characters that keeps players invested.
  • Beautiful art style and soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
  • Innovative combat system featuring a 'Threat' mechanic that adds strategic depth.
  • Extremely short gameplay, typically around 8-10 hours, which may not justify the full price.
  • Limited replay value with no New Game+ option and few side quests.
  • Some gameplay mechanics, like crafting and stat explanations, are poorly implemented or lack clarity.
  • story501 mentions

    The story of the game is generally well-received, featuring a compelling narrative set in a steampunk world with themes of rebellion and discrimination. Players appreciate the engaging characters and the depth of the plot, although some feel it could benefit from more world-building and character development. While the story is often described as linear and somewhat predictable, it remains captivating enough to keep players invested throughout the relatively short gameplay experience.

    • “Pretty unique concept as far as the story goes, where you play as Claret Spencer, a steampunk airship mechanic who lives as a second-class citizen in a country that was conquered by the titular race of winged humanoids who discriminate against humans and hate half-breeds with a passion, and ends up accidentally having to join a rebellion led by a Zorro/Batman/Scarlet Pimpernel figure known as the Scarlet Spectre whose public persona is a vapid aristocrat but has very personal reasons to dislike the way things are.”
    • “The story is interesting enough to keep your attention and the characters are well developed.”
    • “The story is great, the idea behind it is solid, and the dialogue itself is really well written.”
    • “This is a game that had so much potential but due to the lack of some major components and a rushed story, it fell flat in the end.”
    • “The story feels rushed, especially the ending.”
    • “In the end, I didn't get the feeling of wanting to know more about the world, the story, or the characters.”
  • gameplay148 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a traditional turn-based combat system enhanced by unique mechanics such as a "threat" system that encourages strategic planning. While the crafting and equipment systems add depth, some players find the overall experience somewhat generic and unbalanced, with difficulty levels varying significantly throughout the game. Despite these issues, the engaging story and well-crafted characters keep players invested, making the gameplay enjoyable overall.

    • “The gameplay is fun enough to compel the player forward.”
    • “The combat is really well thought out, and the initiative tracker really serves as the core mechanic, as late game and bonus content is really punishing if you don't know how to handle speed stats.”
    • “The battle mechanics are quite tidy and not as simplistic as I expected.”
    • “The gameplay is a solid, classic RPG, with difficulty ranging from laughably easy to frustratingly hard, depending on the enemy you are facing and the difficulty setting (easy, medium, hard).”
    • “The other issue with the combat and gameplay is that on normal, it is either too easy, or you get wiped out real quickly, with no battles that provide an evenly-matched struggle.”
    • “Unfortunately, the combat in this game feels a lot more like a distraction than anything that contributes to the story, and the combat mechanics are boring as well.”
  • music138 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its nostalgic quality reminiscent of classic 90s RPGs, while others find it average or forgettable. Some highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience, with well-composed tracks that fit various scenarios, while a few note that it lacks uniqueness. Overall, the music is generally considered enjoyable and well-suited to the game's atmosphere, contributing positively to the gameplay experience.

    • “The music is not just background music; it's an integral part of the experience, enhancing the mood and emotion of every scene.”
    • “The soundtrack is very well-mastered with a lot of nice orchestral stings and swelling chords befitting of a fantasy RPG.”
    • “Happily, Skyborn is pure gold and while the actual tile sets are mostly of the stock type that come with the set, the character portraits are amazingly detailed and expressive, and the author is himself a professional musician, so the soundtrack is incredible.”
    • “The music is palatable, art and backgrounds are typical of other RPG Maker games.”
    • “Other than that, the music doesn't really have anything special at all and is easily forgettable.”
    • “The music was ok, not fantastic.”
  • graphics101 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally well-received, showcasing a blend of retro RPG aesthetics with high-quality hand-drawn art and appealing character designs. While some players appreciate the nostalgic SNES-style visuals, others note inconsistencies and glitches typical of RPG Maker games, leading to mixed opinions on the overall graphical quality. Despite these issues, many find the art style charming and fitting for the game's narrative and atmosphere.

    • “The art style was just brilliant and brought back fond memories of Golden Sun and the older Final Fantasy games.”
    • “The graphics are pleasant to look at, and are of a very high quality for a retro 2D RPG.”
    • “Skyborn is a beautifully crafted world with artwork that reminisces from the SNES era.”
    • “Though I managed to adjust the scaling features of my graphics card to mitigate this issue, it's not something every player will know how to do.”
    • “Within the first 5 minutes you'll be able to walk through walls you shouldn't, you can get stuck using the mouse's auto-pathing, there are graphical errors, the dialogue is bland... look it's probably a fine game, but unless you get this for $3 or less, it's not worth the money by a long shot.”
    • “There are a few RPG Maker glitches which detract from the game a bit: fixed screen resolution, lack of freedom to walk up and down stairs and climb ladders, not many walk-behinds around buildings and fences, some mismatched graphics (e.g. the graphic style of explosions doesn't match the rest of the game) but nothing terrible.”
  • grinding38 mentions

    Overall, the reviews indicate that the game minimizes grinding, offering a more streamlined experience with little to no need for repetitive level or gear grinding. While some players appreciate the lack of grind as it allows for a focus on story and exploration, others miss the traditional grinding elements typical of RPGs. The combat can feel tedious at times, but many find it rewarding and engaging without the burden of excessive grinding.

    • “Combat is solid, multiple levels of difficulty, enemies don't respawn so there's no grinding nor any need to grind.”
    • “This game is also nice for achievement completionists as they are not grindy and well doable.”
    • “There is no grinding in this game, since there's a finite amount of enemies.”
    • “It's quite tedious and repetitive.”
    • “It begins as a cutscene dump, and then shifts towards fairly lengthy exploring with intensely tedious combat (hence why I'm debating whether or not I'm going to bother with the bonus areas).”
    • “Sooner rather than later, Claret got some mega-op skills that obliterated anything that tried to get in her way, which completely trivialized most of the enemies and turned encounters into tedious detours.”
  • character development22 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising strong, immersive arcs and likable characters, while others criticize the lack of depth and missed opportunities for growth, particularly among antagonists. While certain characters are well-designed and their stories engaging, many feel that the writing falls short, leaving some characters underdeveloped or rushed. Overall, the game offers a blend of impressive storytelling and character design, but it could benefit from more focused development across its cast.

    • “This strong character development makes the player's journey through the game more personal and immersive.”
    • “Lots of fun, the characters are likable and consistent, and I was impressed at how good the plot, writing, and character development was.”
    • “Amazing character development and humor.”
    • “It has a few elements that are only touched upon that could have led to a more interesting story and better character development, but sadly the writing falls short in that department.”
    • “Character development and interaction was very lacking.”
    • “I wish the characters were more fleshed out and at times, the character development was rushed or not in focus.”
  • humor21 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with many players highlighting its well-written dialogue and relatable characters that contribute to a lighthearted experience. Notable comedic moments, particularly from the chemist and protagonist Claret, enhance the engaging plot and character development, making the game both entertaining and enjoyable. Overall, the humor is described as spot-on, adding charm and depth to the gameplay.

    • “The humor is spot on, as is the pathos.”
    • “There's enough intrigue, action, and humor in this wonderful game to keep you consistently playing from start to finish.”
    • “If you're looking for a lighthearted roleplaying game with a fantastic story, just the right amount of humor and interesting combat, then look no further... Skyborn would make an excellent addition to your library and is highly recommended!”
  • replayability13 mentions

    The game's replayability is generally considered low, with many reviewers noting its short length and minimal content beyond the main objectives. While some mention the presence of different character classes and optional content that could enhance replay value, the overall consensus is that the game lacks significant incentives for multiple playthroughs.

    • “There are also different class upgrades for each character, so there is a little bit of replay value here.”
    • “The game is really great and has replay value, which is no mean feat for a maker game.”
    • “Fairly easy to beat, but really hard to get 100% completion, so good replay value.”
    • “This game is extremely short and has little to no replay value.”
    • “Despite the different character classes, this game has very little or no replay value.”
    • “As it was disappointingly short, there was very little to do outside of the mandatory tasks, and no replay value as far as I can tell.”
  • emotional10 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits a mixed response from players; while some found the ending deeply moving and the character backgrounds touching, others felt that the emotional impact was undermined by a lack of character development and muted reactions to significant events. The engaging plot and well-crafted dialogue contribute to moments of emotional resonance, but some players believe the game doesn't fully earn its emotional payoff due to pacing and character depth issues. Overall, the game successfully evokes nostalgia and offers a blend of humor and heartfelt moments, though it may not resonate equally with all players.

    • “Only downside was the ending made me cry.”
    • “It had a beautiful soundtrack, great character graphics, amusing and emotional game dialogue, and an easily-learned turn-based combat system.”
    • “With the promising plot twist near the beginning and a few near the end, this game is all about the story; each character has a touching background.”
  • atmosphere10 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its diverse range, from explosive and tranquil moments to a strong steampunk aesthetic. Reviewers highlight the effective use of music that complements the environment, creating a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic JRPGs. Overall, the detailed environments and engaging story contribute to a captivating and immersive atmosphere.

    • “Great level design, enjoyable 10-hour story, wonderful elements of old school JRPGs like arena, augmentation of gear, subclasses, etc., great music and atmosphere, and many more things that make this game pretty much the best RPG Maker I have played.”
    • “The music fits the atmosphere very well, especially the skyborn industrial area.”
    • “Pros: great story, interesting set of characters, detailed environment, and atmosphere.”
    • “The music fits the atmosphere very well, especially in the skyborn industrial area.”
    • “Strong story and atmosphere.”
    • “Pros: great story, interesting set of characters, detailed environment and atmosphere.”
  • stability4 mentions

    Overall, stability in the game is mixed; while some players report no significant issues, others encounter various bugs and glitches that affect gameplay, such as unresponsive battles and graphical mismatches. The presence of RPG Maker-related glitches also detracts from the experience, though they are not deemed severe.

    • “Can't recommend such a buggy game.”
    • “Battles are so-so, but they can be buggy sometimes (enemies using attacks with no name or visual effect, for example).”
    • “There are a few RPG Maker glitches which detract from the game a bit: fixed screen resolution, lack of freedom to walk up and down stairs and climb ladders, not many walk-behinds around buildings and fences, some mismatched graphics (e.g. the graphic style of explosions doesn't match the rest of the game) but nothing terrible.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game's optimization is praised for requiring strategic use of each party member's abilities, especially on harder difficulty levels, which enhances the overall experience. However, there are significant areas for improvement, including the combat system, dialogue, and NPC interactions, indicating that while the game performs well in some aspects, it still has room for optimization.

    • “Too often in such games you will find a slew of useless abilities, status effects, and debuffs that don't work (or that are nowhere near as useful as just dealing damage, for instance), but in this game, you have to really utilize each party member wisely to win, at least if you play on hard (highly recommended for the best experience, though you will need an optimized party for the last boss).”
    • “It doesn't matter how much hard work is put into it; there is room for better performance. The dialogue, combat system (my biggest complaint here), maps, and NPCs (which falls into dialogues) all need significant improvement.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

10hMedian play time
12hAverage play time
10-15hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 13 analyzed playthroughs

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