SKYHILL

56%
Game Brain Score Based on 547 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
SKYHILL Game Cover
Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
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"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.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

56%
Audience ScoreBased on 547 reviews
gameplay33 positive mentions
grinding15 negative mentions
  • Engaging gameplay with a unique premise of descending a zombie-infested hotel.
  • Multiple endings and unlockable perks add replayability and depth to the experience.
  • Simple yet effective crafting and resource management mechanics.
  • Heavy reliance on RNG can lead to frustrating experiences and cheap deaths.
  • Combat mechanics feel simplistic and lack strategic depth, often resulting in repetitive gameplay.
  • Limited variety in enemies and environments can make the game feel monotonous over time.
  • gameplay121 mentions

    The gameplay of Skyhill is characterized by its simplicity and reliance on random elements, which can lead to a frustrating experience for players due to its heavy dependence on luck rather than skill. While the mechanics are easy to grasp and the game offers some engaging moments, many players find the gameplay repetitive and lacking depth, with a need for better explanations of its systems. Overall, the game provides a casual experience that may appeal to some, but it struggles to maintain long-term interest due to its simplistic design and RNG-heavy mechanics.

    • “The gameplay is simple and easy to understand, but it also requires some figuring out to fully grasp the game's mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay is really engaging and the twist makes this worth your while.”
    • “Skyhill takes a simple concept and executes it well: 2D survival horror with turn-based combat and crafting, the mechanics are simple: you have to survive, and the only resources you have are to explore rooms floor by floor, but opening a door to explore may unleash monsters that you then have to fight or run away from.”
    • “The game's tutorial is very short and fails to fully explain the game mechanics, which makes the player need a guide, often taking a long time to slowly understand the correct way to play the game.”
    • “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, and as players get deeper into the game, they will find that the gameplay becomes more and more repetitive and often loses its fun quickly.”
    • “However, the major issue with this game is that gameplay felt repetitive and there is very little variety.”
  • story106 mentions

    The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players finding it engaging and atmospheric, while others describe it as forgettable or poorly executed. Many appreciate the inclusion of multiple endings and the exploration of lore through notes and clues, but some criticize the writing and predictability of the plot. Overall, the narrative adds a layer of intrigue to the gameplay, though it may not be the main draw for all players.

    • “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.”
    • “The game's story and atmosphere are what make it truly special.”
    • “As you progress through the game, you'll discover clues about the hotel's past and the events that led up to the outbreak, which makes the story even more intriguing.”
    • “The storyline is quite forgettable and not intriguing.”
    • “There's a post-apocalyptic setting, there's some sort of hidden story, there are some diaries to find, etc., but somehow... all that just doesn't work well enough.”
    • “The plot turned out to be brief and poorly written.”
  • graphics43 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the unique art styles and atmospheric designs that enhance the immersive experience of a destroyed world. While some praise the smoothness and detail of the pixel art, others criticize the simplicity and repetitiveness of the environments. Overall, the visuals are seen as adequate for an indie title, with a blend of appealing aesthetics and basic execution.

    • “The graphics successfully reflect this dark atmosphere.”
    • “The pixel art style is well-done, and the environments and characters are incredibly detailed, which makes exploring the hotel all the more rewarding.”
    • “The game offers some really nice graphics and a nice yet simplistic aesthetic which is pleasant all the same and has some amazing attention to detail even though it is a little rough around the edges.”
    • “The graphics are simple and basic.”
    • “The graphics are controversial because although creatures are well designed, there are only six types, and the backgrounds are boring with dull and flat designs.”
    • “The concept and art style are interesting, but overall the game is poorly executed.”
  • replayability35 mentions

    Replayability in the game varies significantly among players, with some praising the strategic decisions, multiple endings, and character builds that encourage experimentation and replay. However, many others express disappointment due to a linear storyline, repetitive gameplay, and a lack of substantial content after the initial playthrough, leading to a consensus that replay value is limited for some while being enjoyable for others. Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with certain features enhancing it for some players while others find it lacking.

    • “Replayability is very high; playing around with the active/passive perks and creating challenges for yourself is pretty fun as well (and the game can get rather difficult depending on what choices you make).”
    • “Great replayability - the combination of perks, stuff you find, character build you make, and the little quests always make for a different experience the next time you boot up the game.”
    • “The multiple endings give decent replay value, and the different talents make each replay interesting enough from each other.”
    • “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.”
    • “I do not see a lot of replay value once the goal is reached.”
    • “Now I've beaten the game, there's really no replay value left in it.”
  • atmosphere29 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, effectively conveying a post-apocalyptic world through both graphics and sound design. Players appreciate the combination of a rich narrative, atmospheric soundtrack, and a sense of isolation that enhances the overall experience. The game's ability to evoke feelings of tension and mystery, alongside its unique presentation, makes it a memorable title for fans of atmospheric and survival genres.

    • “The atmosphere and graphics immerse the player in the destroyed world.”
    • “The game's story and atmosphere are what make it truly special.”
    • “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.”
    • “It's also nice to have a game which is a bit of a 'dungeon-hack', minus the dungeon (though the horror setting is only liable to be 'scary' to your grandmother, but it's still a tone and atmosphere which I personally prefer to the usual 'light fantasy' fare).”
    • “Graphics, gameplay, and atmosphere are adequate for a small indie flick, and it was fun while it lasted.”
  • music19 mentions

    The music in Skyhill receives mixed reviews, with some praising its atmospheric quality that enhances the game's tension and isolation, while others find it forgettable or bland. While the soundtrack complements the overall presentation, many players suggest it lacks depth and could benefit from a more ambient approach to heighten anxiety. Overall, the music fits the game's aesthetic but may not leave a lasting impression on all players.

    • “The game features an atmospheric soundtrack that perfectly complements the story and adds to the tension and sense of isolation.”
    • “Great soundtrack and good atmosphere.”
    • “The music was nice and the overall presentation was very atmospheric.”
    • “Music is forgettable.”
    • “The background music is plink plonking, the sound effects are very basic, but you don't need more.”
    • “For one, it should have used a more ambient soundtrack to play on the player's anxiety.”
  • grinding16 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, particularly when pursuing achievements or playing on higher difficulty settings. Many players recommend experiencing the game on easy for a more enjoyable run, as the extensive grinding required for achievements and crafting can lead to frustration and a lack of replay value. While some players may find satisfaction in achievement hunting, the overall sentiment is that the grinding detracts from the game's enjoyment.

    • “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding, as it allows you to unlock powerful abilities and gear.”
    • “The grind is satisfying and keeps you engaged, with each level feeling like a significant achievement.”
    • “I love how the grinding mechanics are balanced; it never feels tedious and always offers something new to strive for.”
    • “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.”
    • “There is also a lot of grinding involved in this game, especially when seeking some of the achievements, which some gamers may not have the patience.”
    • “Fun for your first run or two, too grindy and repetitive for anything beyond that.”
  • stability5 mentions

    The game's stability is notably problematic, with frequent freezing issues occurring every few seconds, particularly after player deaths. While some users have found temporary fixes, the overall experience is marred by bugs and glitches that disrupt gameplay, leading to frustration. The fighting system also exhibits inconsistencies, further detracting from the game's stability.

    • “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches, providing a seamless experience.”
    • “I've had no issues with stability; it performs consistently well during long play sessions.”
    • “The stability of the game is impressive, allowing for uninterrupted gameplay even in intense moments.”
    • “There have been a lot of problems regarding the game freezing every 4 seconds. 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.”
    • “Every time I die, the game freezes up.”
    • “The fighting system seems buggy; I was in a situation where a zombie kept hitting me, and for some reason, it acted as if I was leaving the room. It can hit you in the face if you make a mistake, like misclicking or using food or items for eating or repairing. It's an alright game, but it sucks dying and restarting, which makes you want to stop playing.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The game's optimization for desktop is lacking, as it feels more suited for mobile devices, leading to a subpar interface experience. While the gameplay encourages strategic resource management, the randomness can hinder performance, making it difficult to predict outcomes and effectively utilize upgrades. Overall, players suggest purchasing the game on sale to mitigate concerns about its optimization.

    • “Simple gameplay mechanics that challenge you to make optimized choices along the way, depending on the randomly generated elements.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “Simple gameplay mechanics that challenge you to make optimized choices along the way all the time depending on the randomly-generated elements.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization strategy for the game has been criticized for misleading advertising, with users noting that promotional content often exaggerates gameplay, leading to disappointment upon actual play. This trend of deceptive marketing is common in mobile games, particularly those that blend genres like RPGs and puzzles.

    • “The first video advertising Skyhill on the Steam store page makes it seem a lot more fun than it actually is.”
    • “You know the most common advertising we always see for mobile games are about RPG merges with puzzle and point & click games?”
    • “But whenever we clicked in to download the game, it turned out to be fake advertising.”
  • humor1 mentions

    Players find the humor in the game to be surprisingly effective, even amidst glitches, likening the experience to the charm of a malfunctioning SNES. The comedic elements contribute to an enjoyable and playable experience.

    • “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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

63% average critic score

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Play time

6hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
2-7hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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