Skyborn

About

Skyborn is a single player casual role playing game. It was developed by Dancing Dragon Games and was released on February 21, 2014. It received positive reviews from players.

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,211 reviews

story545 positive mentions

grinding56 negative mentions

Engaging story with well-developed characters that keeps players invested.
Unique battle system featuring a threat mechanic that adds strategy to combat.
Beautiful art and music that enhance the overall atmosphere of the game.

Short playtime, typically around 8-10 hours, which may leave players wanting more.
Limited side quests and exploration opportunities, making the game feel linear.
Combat can become repetitive and lacks depth, especially in later stages.

story
1,147 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
50%
2%
The story of "Skyborn" is generally well-received, characterized by a charming narrative set in a steampunk world that explores themes of oppression and rebellion. Players appreciate the engaging characters, well-written dialogue, and the balance between story and gameplay, although some note that the plot can feel predictable and the game is relatively short, often completing in around 8-10 hours. While the storyline is compelling and features interesting twists, some reviewers express a desire for deeper character development and more side quests to enhance the overall experience.
- “Skyborn is short, sweet, and tells a focused story.”
- “The game did a superb job keeping things moving and having fun little interactions that really flesh out the characters and backstory.”
- “The story is interesting and moves along, I like the main characters, the one dungeon so far has been a good size, and nothing so far has been too hard or too easy.”
- “The story feels rushed, especially the ending.”
- “The story is very simple and that's actually a positive for this game, I would say.”
- “The story is somewhat standard but with occasional twists and turns, and there's so much optional content that you can easily draw the game out for a few more hours if you like.”
gameplay
314 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
61%
2%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of traditional turn-based mechanics and unique features like a "threat" system that adds strategic depth to combat. While some players appreciate the engaging story and character interactions, others find the gameplay to be somewhat generic and lacking in innovation, with a few noting balance issues and a short overall playtime. Overall, the game offers a solid experience for fans of classic RPGs, though it may not satisfy those seeking more complex mechanics or extensive gameplay variety.
- “The gameplay is fun enough to compel the player forward.”
- “The battle system includes threat mechanics like an MMORPG where you can draw aggro to your tank while your DPS members pound on foes and the healer keeps the tank going.”
- “The gameplay adds a few small twists to the classic old-school RPG formula (for example, you can change the difficulty at any time and you can avoid random mook battles).”
- “Well, the mechanics are about as plain as they get.”
- “Gameplay is straight-forward and simple.”
- “The gameplay is your usual mediocre RPG style without any twists.”
music
273 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
42%
3%
The music in "Skyborn" has received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many players praising its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the game's steampunk setting. While some tracks evoke nostalgia reminiscent of classic JRPGs like "Chrono Trigger" and "Final Fantasy," others describe the music as decent but not particularly memorable. Overall, the soundtrack is noted for its fitting compositions that complement the gameplay, though some players wished for more variety and intensity during key moments.
- “The mapping in Skyborn is borderline perfection and the game, along with its music, pulls you right into the steampunk realm and doesn't let go.”
- “It's not just background music; it's an integral part of the experience, enhancing the mood and emotion of every scene.”
- “The music is by far Skyborn's best bet.”
- “The story, combat, and music are all half-baked.”
- “Other than that, the music doesn't really have anything special at all and is easily forgettable.”
- “The battle music and the ambient music of most areas is somewhat memorable, the rest is forgettable.”
graphics
232 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
47%
2%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful pixel art and charming character designs that evoke nostalgia for classic RPGs. While some players appreciate the consistent art style and high-quality custom artwork, others note limitations typical of RPG Maker games, such as fixed resolutions and simplistic battle graphics. Overall, the visuals are generally considered appealing, especially for fans of retro aesthetics, but they may not meet the expectations of those seeking cutting-edge graphics.
- “The artwork is lovingly crafted, the music (what little there is) reminds me of the 90s playing SNES RPGs, and the battle, crafting, and equipment mechanics all feel fine.”
- “The graphic style is consistent, and the pixel art is pleasing to the eye.”
- “Skyborn is a beautifully crafted world with artwork that reminisces from the SNES era.”
- “Absolutely no graphics options.”
- “No widescreen support, ugly retro pixel graphics, fixed resolution; the list of RPG Maker faults goes on.”
- “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.”
grinding
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
1%
76%
The reviews indicate that the game features minimal to no grinding, which is appreciated by players who prefer a more streamlined experience without the tedium of repetitive battles. While some players miss the traditional grinding aspect of RPGs, many find the lack of enemy respawns and finite combat encounters refreshing, allowing for a focus on exploration and story rather than leveling up. Overall, the game caters well to completionists and casual players alike, providing a satisfying experience without the grind.
- “This game is also nice for achievement completionists as they are not grindy and well doable.”
- “Combat is solid, multiple levels of difficulty, enemies don't respawn so there's no grinding nor any need to grind.”
- “I got Skyborn in a bundle a while back and played it last week, and it's a surprisingly decent game - there's almost no grinding, the characters are fairly diverse, it's somewhat well written, and it doesn't overstay its welcome.”
- “It's quite tedious and repetitive.”
- “In general, the combat and crafting system feel super grindy, though maybe you'll enjoy it more if you play JRPGs often.”
- “The game has some fun story moments and character interaction, and the art is good, but the grinding and the mismatch between gameplay and story just kinda sucks.”
character development
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
50%
7%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising strong, immersive arcs and well-timed backstories, while others criticize rushed or generic development, particularly in relation to plot twists that detract from character depth. Many reviewers express a desire for more exploration of character histories and interactions, indicating that while the character designs are appealing, the narrative often falls short in fully fleshing out the characters. Overall, the game shows potential for rich character development but frequently misses opportunities to deepen player investment in the characters' journeys.
- “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.”
- “The plot, overall, is not very detailed and little time is spent on character development.”
- “I wish the characters were more fleshed out and at times, the character development was rushed or not in focus.”
humor
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with many players highlighting the charming and witty dialogue, particularly between characters like Claret and Sullivan. The blend of light-hearted moments, clever banter, and occasional dark humor contributes to an engaging experience, making the characters feel relatable and the story enjoyable. Overall, the game strikes a good balance between humor and plot, enhancing its appeal as a lighthearted RPG.
- “The humor is spot on, as is the pathos.”
- “The banter between the characters is humorous and entertaining, especially Claret and Sullivan.”
- “The characters are quirky and funny, the plot, while not the greatest, is quite good.”
atmosphere
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
17%
13%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and well-crafted environments, featuring a blend of steampunk elements and diverse settings that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the atmospheric music, which complements the visuals and mood of each area, reminiscent of classic RPGs. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its standout features, contributing significantly to its engaging story and gameplay.
- “I've only just started the game, but the atmosphere for this game is amazingly well-done.”
- “All of the areas are quite atmospheric, each in their own way - and the visuals with the music set the mood of each zone perfectly.”
- “The atmosphere and game world is believable and unique, and the encounters differ from location to location.”
- “The music fits the atmosphere very well, especially the skyborn industrial area.”
- “Strong story and atmosphere.”
- “Pros: great story, interesting set of characters, detailed environment and atmosphere.”
replayability
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
55%
25%
Overall, the game's replayability is generally considered low, with many players noting its short length and limited content outside the main storyline. While some aspects, such as different character classes and optional side quests, offer slight variations for replay, the consensus is that there is minimal incentive to replay the game after completing it. Players suggest that it may be worth purchasing on sale for fans of the genre, but expectations for replay value should be tempered.
- “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.”
- “- good replayability: optional content ('side quests'), multiple class paths for each character, achievements, and three difficulty levels.”
- “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 is, it was disappointingly short, and there was very little to do outside of the stuff you had to do, and no replay value as far as I can tell.”
emotional
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits strong reactions from players, with many expressing that the ending brought them to tears, highlighting its impactful storytelling and character development. While some critiques mention a lack of depth in character connections and muted emotional responses to significant events, the overall sentiment is that the game successfully delivers touching moments and an engaging plot that resonates with players. The combination of a beautiful soundtrack and well-crafted dialogue further enhances the emotional experience, making it memorable for many.
- “Only downside was the ending made me cry.”
- “10/10, I cried at the end.”
- “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.”
stability
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
86%
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with some players experiencing significant bugs, particularly in areas with looping maps and mouse controls, leading to character freezing and movement issues. However, others report minimal glitches and a generally solid performance, noting only minor visual errors and mapping inaccuracies. Overall, while there are some stability concerns, many players find the game enjoyable despite these rough edges.
- “No glitches or bugs that I found.”
- “This is a pretty good game, all things considered. It was made using RPG Maker, I believe, and it runs great.”
- “The endless loop area got a bit buggy when I tried to use the mouse to move the characters.”
- “Map locations that have a loop in them (basically all maps where you can continue walking in one direction and end up where you started) are bugging for me, meaning I need to use arrows to walk or my avatar freezes.”
- “It's a little rough around the edges; there are a few minor mapping errors here and there, a couple of glitches, and the game balancing isn't the best.”
optimization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The optimization of RPG Maker games often suffers from performance issues, leading to a staggered experience that feels akin to poor emulation, despite smooth interfaces and informative menus. While the game encourages strategic use of party members, particularly on harder difficulties, there remains significant room for improvement in overall performance, dialogue, combat systems, and other gameplay elements.
- “Everything runs smoothly, their interfaces for each menu look pretty and are very informative.”
- “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).”
- “I can run Skyrim at good FPS, but I think the performance problem is rooted in RPG Maker and my hardware.”
- “It doesn’t help that performance always feels staggered in RPG Maker games; it almost gives them a feel like they’re being poorly emulated.”
- “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). 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).”
- “Doesn't matter how much hard work is put into it; there is room for better performance, dialogue, combat system (my biggest complaint here), maps, NPCs (falls into dialogues), etc. The potential for improvement is just too great.”