SkyDrift
- November 21, 2011
- Digital Reality
- 10h median play time
SkyDrift is a fantastic plane racing game that stands out among its inspirational peers. While a lack of local multiplayer is noticeable, it doesn't detract from the charm and balance that gives it such great potential.
"SkyDrift is a thrilling racing game with stunning visuals, offering both single-player and multiplayer modes. Choose from eight high-speed planes, each with four skins, and use six power-ups to gain an edge in races. Your goal is to either outfly or shoot down your opponents to secure victory."
Reviews
- SkyDrift offers a fun and fast-paced arcade racing experience reminiscent of Mario Kart, but with planes and combat elements.
- The game features well-designed levels with beautiful graphics and a variety of aircraft, each with unique stats, enhancing the gameplay.
- Despite its limited content, the game provides an enjoyable experience with engaging mechanics and power-ups that keep races exciting.
- The game suffers from a lack of variety in tracks, leading to repetitive gameplay after a short time.
- Multiplayer is nearly non-existent, making it difficult to find online matches, which limits the game's replayability.
- The handling can feel simplistic and unrefined, which may frustrate players looking for a more nuanced flying experience.
- graphics65 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
Overall, the graphics of the game are generally well-received, with many users praising the visuals as pleasing and above average, especially for a title from 2011. While some critiques mention low resolution in certain areas and a frame cap that affects performance, the game's colorful landscapes and smooth graphics contribute positively to the overall experience. Despite some inconsistencies, the graphics are often highlighted as a standout feature, enhancing the fun and engaging gameplay.
“Despite Skydrift being a 2011 game, the graphics are pleasing to look at.”
“The game is easy to pick up while playing, controls are spot on, the graphics are delicious and the overall experience is worth five times over your purchase price.”
“Skydrift bridges the gap between casual and hardcore with simple mechanics, awesome visuals, and epic dogfight gameplay.”
“Bad graphics, lagging too much, artifacts.”
“Those terrible tree graphics look hella cheap though.”
“Graphics - average with low resolution for some items in menus like trophies etc. In-game they are okay, but no ambient occlusion which doesn't help immersion.”
- gameplay33 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally well-received, characterized by engaging mechanics and solid controls that blend fast-paced racing with aerial combat elements, reminiscent of Mario Kart but with planes. While the visuals are praised and the gameplay is described as fun and fluid, some players note issues such as repetitive content, noticeable AI rubberbanding, and overly simplified flight mechanics. Overall, it offers a unique and enjoyable experience, particularly for fans of arcade-style racing games.
“Gameplay is fun, the controls seemed good, graphics are nice, I recommend it.”
“The gameplay is great - I actually usually play hardcore flight sims - and it's cute the way this game uses some analogues to actual flight (rolling your plane to allow sharper maneuvers than simply yawing).”
“Skydrift bridges the gap between casual and hardcore with simple mechanics, awesome visuals, and epic dogfight gameplay.”
“Can't find anyone for online gameplay.”
“The flight mechanics are far too simplified and honestly quite terrible.”
“I'm also just getting bored with the gameplay.”
- music8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, featuring a badass soundtrack that enhances the fast-paced gameplay and complements the overall experience. It draws comparisons to the style of rock n’ roll racing, with some users suggesting alternative listening for an even better experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout element alongside the game's graphics and controls.
“The best part is the music and cool level design with some neat special effects.”
“Fun, tough, and has a badass soundtrack hidden away in the steam folder.”
“It’s lightning fast and the soundtrack adds a lot to the frenzy.”
“The soundtrack resembles Rock n' Roll Racing's style, if that means anything.”
“Pro tip: mute the game music and listen to the Hives' 'Black & White' album while playing.”
“Fun, tough, and has a badass soundtrack hidden away in the Steam folder.”
- story6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely criticized for its lack of depth and engagement, with many users noting that it feels non-existent or minimal, akin to playing a game focused solely on mechanics rather than narrative. While the campaign is lengthy, it lacks significant progression or a compelling storyline, primarily revolving around racing and unlocking planes and skins. Overall, players express a desire for more narrative elements and varied missions.
“Epic story.”
“I like playing Temple Runners for the story.”
“This game has no story.”
“Like playing Temple Run for the story.”
“The campaign is lengthy enough, but nothing spectacular: no story or real progression, just pick your plane and finish the next race to earn more plane unlocks and skins.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some users find the tracks well-designed and infinitely replayable, others note significant limitations due to a lack of online play and no reset options, leading to a less engaging experience after completing the campaign.
“The tracks themselves are well designed and offer great replayability.”
“Infinitely replayable.”
“No way to reset and low replayability.”
“No one is playing this online; therefore, once you play through the campaign, the replayability is limited... too bad.”
- stability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with most users reporting it runs smoothly and is nearly bug-free. However, some players have experienced screen glitches after a few races, indicating occasional stability issues.
“The game is good, controls work, and it is 99% bug-free.”
“The game looks and runs great overall.”
“Would have been a good game, but the screen glitches after a race or two.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
“I experienced constant lag and freezing, which ruined the overall experience.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express that the game evokes strong emotions, with moments of near victory leading to genuine feelings of frustration and sadness, highlighting the immersive experience and connection to the game's challenges.
“The times I got shwacked 3mm in front of the finish line made me cry real tears.”
“This game made me feel like a real flying ace!”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with players noting significant stuttering issues that can disrupt control, particularly when the frame rate is locked at a frustrating 30fps. While the visuals and imaginative scenes are praised, the technical performance detracts from the overall experience.
“Except when, for some reason, you lose control of your plane because of the game stuttering or some other reason, or when your plane is starting to spin out of control.”
“Good visuals, imaginative scenes, yet on the technical side, the game is frame locked to a stuttering 30fps.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find that grinding can become tedious, especially when playing with friends in a closed group, as the lack of new participants can make the experience feel repetitive.
“Grinding becomes tedious when you're playing with friends and know that no one else will be joining the game.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding makes it feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game.”
“After hours of grinding, it feels less like progress and more like a never-ending task.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy for the Red Bull Air Race game is noted for its minimal use of advertisements, which is unexpected for a title associated with a major brand.
“For a Red Bull Air Race game, there is surprisingly little advertisement in this game.”
“The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
“I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game to be genuinely humorous, highlighting its ability to evoke laughter and enjoyment.
“This game is just quite funny!”
“The humor in this game is top-notch and keeps me laughing throughout!”
“I love how the witty dialogue and silly situations make every moment enjoyable!”
Critic Reviews
SkyDrift Review
SkyDrift is a fantastic plane racing game that stands out among its inspirational peers. While a lack of local multiplayer is noticeable, it doesn't detract from the charm and balance that gives it such great potential.
80%Skydrift Review
A fun, cheap arcade racing game that takes to the skies. Skydrift flies the arcade racing genre in a new direction.
75%