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SKYHILL

Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
SKYHILL Game Cover
67%Game Brain Score
gameplay, story
grinding, stability
69% User Score Based on 803 reviews
Critic Score 63%Based on 11 reviews

Platforms

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SKYHILL Game Cover

About

SKYHILL is a single player survival role playing game with a horror theme. It was developed by Mandragora and was released on October 6, 2015. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"Skyhill" is a single-player Horror Role Playing game with a compelling story and sensational gameplay. The experience is fresh in every session due to randomly generated maps and the need to scavenge for supplies. Outstanding graphics, a good soundtrack, and a spectacular atmosphere create a harrowing experience as you navigate through the post-apocalyptic world. However, be prepared for grinding and making tough decisions in your fight for survival.

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69%
Audience ScoreBased on 803 reviews
gameplay49 positive mentions
grinding21 negative mentions

  • Engaging survival mechanics that require careful resource management and strategic decision-making.
  • Unique atmosphere with a compelling story that unfolds through notes and audio recordings.
  • Addictive gameplay loop with a variety of unlockable perks that enhance replayability.
  • Heavy reliance on RNG can lead to frustrating experiences, as success often feels out of the player's control.
  • Repetitive gameplay with limited enemy variety and room layouts can diminish long-term engagement.
  • Crafting and combat systems lack depth, making encounters feel simplistic and less rewarding.
  • gameplay
    216 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Skyhill is characterized by its simple mechanics and roguelike elements, focusing on exploration, resource management, and combat. While the game offers an engaging atmosphere and a straightforward learning curve, many players find the experience repetitive and reliant on luck, leading to a lack of depth and variety over time. Despite its initial appeal, the gameplay struggles to maintain long-term engagement due to limited enemy diversity and shallow mechanics.

    • “The game balances simple, accessible gameplay with enough underlying systems to keep things interesting.”
    • “Even though the mechanics are fairly straightforward, the tension and unpredictability make the journey feel engaging.”
    • “The gameplay loop centers on exploration, scavenging, combat, and crafting.”
    • “Mind-bogglingly boring, boring mechanics, lame art style, no storyline, boring, boring, boring. I got it in a bundle with a different game; I wouldn't pay more than a dollar for this, and I'm being generous. Do not recommend.”
    • “Despite these systems, Skyhill's gameplay can start to feel shallow over time. The lack of evolving environments, limited enemy diversity, and absence of significant mechanical progression between runs make it difficult for the game to maintain engagement over extended periods.”
    • “The gameplay is both redundant and highly luck-dependent. The random nature of the item search and the game's need for luck over strategy, especially the attack accuracy problem that has been criticized by players, makes the experience for most players likely to be very bad.”
  • story
    168 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players finding it minimalistic and lacking depth, while others appreciate its ability to create a sense of paranoia and mystery through scattered notes and quests. Set in a post-apocalyptic hotel, the narrative unfolds through exploration, offering multiple endings that can enhance replayability, though many feel the plot is predictable and not particularly engaging. Overall, while some elements of the story are intriguing, many players believe it fails to fully captivate or elevate the gameplay experience.

    • “While the story doesn’t take center stage, it adds a meaningful backdrop to the survival experience, especially for those who take time to search every room and piece the fragments together.”
    • “Set in a post-apocalyptic world, it follows the story of a man named Perry, who is trapped in a luxurious hotel after a global biological attack.”
    • “The story is slightly unsettling and more than engaging enough (through texts, notes, and other clues to be found), and the 'secret' ending is a 'must' if you want to tie it all together.”
    • “Mind-bogglingly boring, boring mechanics, lame art style, no storyline, boring boring boring. I got it in a bundle with a different game; I wouldn't pay more than a dollar for this, and I'm being generous. Do not recommend.”
    • “The story is sparse but fascinating for what it is, told through a combination of cutscenes, audio logs, journals, and random events/characters.”
    • “The story can branch off in three different ways, but all are jumbled together in the course of the playthrough that they contradict one another, and none actually contribute to the gameplay.”
  • graphics
    66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the unique hand-drawn art style and atmospheric visuals that enhance the gameplay experience, while others criticize the simplistic and minimalistic design as dull and lacking detail. Overall, the art style is often described as charming and fitting for the genre, but many feel it does not compensate for the game's other shortcomings.

    • “At first glance, Skyhill’s art style is striking.”
    • “Its clean, hand-drawn visuals, muted palette, and cartoonishly grotesque enemies help it stand out in a genre often dominated by pixel art or grim realism.”
    • “The graphics are minimalistic but very smooth and appropriate for this style of game, and I personally like the art a lot.”
    • “The graphics are simple and basic.”
    • “The graphics are controversial because although the creatures are well designed, there are only six types, and the backgrounds are boring with dull and flat designs.”
    • “Music, sounds, and graphics are just unambitious.”
  • replayability
    59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its roguelike elements that offer varied experiences through randomization and strategic choices, leading to high replay value for some. However, others find the gameplay repetitive and lacking depth after initial completion, resulting in limited motivation to replay. Overall, while there are multiple endings and unlockable perks that enhance replayability, opinions vary significantly on its long-term appeal.

    • “Due to its roguelike nature, each playthrough is different, offering a new challenge every time.”
    • “The random elements and various upgrades increase replay value.”
    • “Great replayability - the combination of perks, items you find, character builds, and little quests always make for a different experience the next time you boot up the game.”
    • “No more than a handful of hours of play time with zero replay value.”
    • “Fun game on the first playthrough, however there is very limited replayability as the gameplay is just the same of going left, right, and down.”
    • “Now that I've beaten the game, there's really no replay value left in it.”
  • atmosphere
    46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of Skyhill is widely praised for its dark, immersive, and horror-infused setting, which effectively enhances the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a sense of tension and unease, complemented by atmospheric audio and graphics that reflect the post-apocalyptic world. While the game may not be the most complex roguelike, its unique atmosphere and engaging survival mechanics make it a compelling choice for fans of the genre.

    • “Overall, Skyhill might not be the deepest roguelike out there, but its unusual premise, engaging survival loop, and horror atmosphere make it worth checking out, especially if you’re a fan of resource management and procedural challenges.”
    • “The atmosphere and graphics immerse the player in the destroyed world.”
    • “The atmosphere is adequately creepy and a bit gory, but also delivers on the psychological aspects of fear and horror as you try to figure out what is happening, and how many layers of answers there are to that question... truly enjoyed this title, recommended.”
    • “Some games try to hide the repetitive mobile gameplay under the deep atmosphere.”
  • music
    38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its atmospheric qualities and how it complements the overall experience, while others find it bland and forgettable. Many users noted that the sound effects are basic and could be improved, with some opting to mute the in-game music in favor of their own playlists. Overall, while the soundtrack fits the game's mood, it lacks the depth and memorability that some players desire.

    • “I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
    • “Nice spooky music and overall atmosphere.”
    • “Great soundtrack and good atmosphere.”
    • “The bland music and mediocre sound effects could have been better, however.”
    • “There’s barely any music to speak of and the sound effects are entirely unimpressive.”
    • “Music, sounds, and graphics are just unambitious.”
  • grinding
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players finding the limited enemy types and weapon options lead to monotonous encounters. While some enjoy the initial playthroughs, the grind for achievements and the slow progression, especially on higher difficulties, can make the experience feel like a chore rather than fun. Overall, the game may appeal to achievement hunters, but many players recommend playing on easier settings to avoid the frustration of excessive grinding.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
    • “The grind is satisfying and offers a real sense of progression.”
    • “On paper this sounds like a good idea for a game, but it quickly turns into a tedious slog.”
    • “Highly recommended to play through once on easy and be done with for the sake of your own sanity, as any other difficulty settings from normal up is really only suitable for gluttons of tedious time-wasting punishment.”
    • “Fun for your first run or two, too grindy and repetitive for anything beyond that.”
  • stability
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is largely criticized, with users reporting frequent freezes, low FPS, and complete lockups, making it nearly unplayable for some. While a few players noted minor glitches and offered potential fixes, the overall experience is marred by significant performance issues. However, there are isolated positive remarks about the game's programming and art quality.

    • “On a more positive note, the art was decent, the voice acting was good, and the programming was well-done; the game is not buggy.”
    • “Note for the deck: runs great, mouse and keyboard only though.”
    • “There has been a lot of problems in regards to the game freezing every 4 seconds, and a fix that I found that solved my problem (might not work for everyone) was posted by user mental in the 'game freezes every 3 seconds for 3 seconds then repeats' in the Steam discussions.”
    • “Completely unplayable with the terribly low FPS, constant freezes, and complete lockups.”
    • “Every time I die, the game freezes up.”
  • optimization
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the price-to-performance ratio, others criticize the desktop interface as poorly optimized for PC. Despite the simple gameplay mechanics that encourage strategic choices, the lack of clarity in resource management can hinder performance. Overall, performance is generally deemed good, but the interface and optimization for desktop play leave room for improvement.

    • “Simple gameplay mechanics that challenge you to make optimized choices along the way, depending on the randomly generated elements.”
    • “✅ It's really good in terms of price and performance.”
    • “It's a table/phone game ported to PC, which isn't bad per se, but in this case, the interface wasn't optimized for desktop.”
    • “I can't figure it out, but it seems this game is poorly optimized.”
    • “If you don't have the benefit of foreknowledge, you have absolutely no way of knowing what the result of spending your precious and limited resources will be, which can easily ruin a strong performance by wasting items or upgrading your only weapon into a form you don't have the correct stats to wield.”
  • monetization
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players expressing frustration over intrusive ads, while others appreciate that the ads are placed unobtrusively. Additionally, there are concerns about misleading advertising that does not accurately represent the gameplay experience. Overall, while the game is enjoyable, the monetization approach detracts from its overall appeal.

    • “I can't give a full recommendation to a game that charges you to run ads in your face, but because they had the decency to put them in the corner of the screen, and the game is otherwise good without doing anything else offensive, I'll still give it the thumbs up.”
    • “I resent paying to see ads.”
    • “The first video advertising Skyhill on the Steam store page makes it seem a lot more fun than it actually is.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is influenced by both active and passive perks, which enhance the player's experience and progression. These perks contribute to the depth of character growth, allowing for varied playstyles and strategies. Overall, the system adds a layer of complexity to character development that players appreciate.

    • “The character development in this game is incredibly deep, allowing players to shape their characters through meaningful choices and interactions.”
    • “I love how the active and passive perks enhance the character development, making each playthrough feel unique and tailored to my style.”
    • “The progression system is well-designed, providing a satisfying sense of growth and evolution for each character as the story unfolds.”
    • “While I'm on the topic of character development, I should also briefly bring up active and passive perks.”
  • humor
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the game's humor to be surprisingly effective, even amidst glitches, likening the experience to the charm of a malfunctioning SNES. The comedic elements contribute positively to the overall enjoyment, making the game feel engaging despite technical issues.

    • “Strangely enough, even with this glitch, the game is still 100% playable and is actually pretty funny; it's like playing on a SNES that's acting wonky.”
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5h Median play time
4h Average play time
3-6h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs
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SKYHILL is a survival role playing game with horror theme.

SKYHILL is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, iPhone and others.

On average players spend around 4 hours playing SKYHILL.

SKYHILL was released on October 6, 2015.

SKYHILL was developed by Mandragora.

SKYHILL has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

SKYHILL is a single player game.

Similar games include Dead Age, Crowntakers, Dead In Bermuda, Dungeon of the Endless, Ironcast and others.