Skyland 1976
- November 17, 2019
- Simon CLAVEL
"Skyland 1976" is a narrative-driven survival-horror game where you play as Simon Hopper, searching for your sister Alice who disappeared in the Grayson forest in 1976. The game takes place near a government facility called Skyland, and you must uncover the truth behind Alice's disappearance while surviving against enemies and managing resources. The game features puzzles to solve and a growing sense of horror as you delve deeper into the mystery.
Reviews
- The game features a captivating story and an oppressive atmosphere that keeps players engaged.
- There are good jumpscares and a variety of gameplay elements, including puzzles and stealth mechanics.
- The graphics and sound design are well-executed, contributing to an immersive experience.
- The gameplay can feel repetitive, with a lot of walking and backtracking between locations.
- The AI is poorly designed, making enemies easy to evade and reducing the overall challenge.
- There are numerous bugs and glitches, along with a frustrating inventory system that complicates gameplay.
- story23 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's story is a mixed bag, with many players praising its captivating and intricate narrative that keeps them engaged, while others criticize it as clichéd and lacking originality. The atmosphere and backstory, particularly regarding a mental hospital and military experiments, are highlighted as strong points, though some find the pacing and character development lacking. Overall, the story is seen as a significant aspect of the game, with enough depth to intrigue players despite some flaws.
“The game focuses on a captivating story and an oppressive atmosphere.”
“Good game with a captivating story that keeps you wanting more.”
“There are also a lot of deeply detailed notes that aid in the creation of an intricate backstory about the military complex and the abhorrent experiments that it ran.”
“I didn't because the game and the story is total garbage.”
“Lmao don't blame this is the oldest most overused extremely boring mystery story in literature; everyone is sick of this crap.”
“The plot is drab, the gameplay is drab, and every chapter blends together.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a mix of classic elements such as a flashlight system, resource scavenging, and puzzle-solving, but it struggles to stand out due to its reliance on familiar tropes and flawed mechanics. While there is some variation in activities like sneaking and combat, the overall experience can feel repetitive and lacks refinement, making it hard to recommend despite the developer's evident effort.
“The gameplay is classic with a flashlight system, some stats to mind (sanity, health, stamina, and battery), some jumpscares, and a lot of puzzle solving (maybe too much).”
“The gameplay does have some good variation between puzzle solving, sneaking around enemies, scavenging for resources, running from invincible foes, and engaging in shootouts; it never becomes mundane.”
“You can tell the dev gave a shit about his product and all, but it just feels like a project that includes a bunch of gameplay features without setting itself apart from being an experience worth recommending.”
“You can tell the dev cared about their product, but it just feels like a project that includes a bunch of gameplay features without setting itself apart as an experience worth recommending.”
“The gameplay is classic with a flashlight system, some stats to manage (sanity, health, stamina, and battery), some jumpscares, and a lot of puzzle-solving (maybe too much).”
“The mechanics really need to be refined.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally praised as impressive, though some users note rough edges and cheap-looking UI elements, particularly in the inventory and HUD. While not on par with AAA titles, the visuals are deemed satisfactory and complement the game's compelling narrative.
“The graphics are amazing, but you can definitely see some rough edges or lines around the clipping of certain objects and surroundings.”
“Sounds and graphics are really nice, but it's a shame that some parts of the UI look really cheap (I talk about the inventory and some HUD effects).”
“This is not a AAA game that's going to blow you away with its graphics, but what it does have is an incredibly compelling story that has kept me on the edge of my seat for over 2 hours so far.”
- stability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with users acknowledging that it was developed by a single person, which may explain the presence of numerous bugs, glitches, and lag. While some players find the game interesting and worth the price, the technical issues can be frustrating.
“Other than that, the game was interesting and definitely worth the price tag, but I can see where the bugs and glitches can be nerve-racking.”
“Lots of bugs, glitches, and lag.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is characterized by a distressing ambiance, enhanced by a compelling interplay of lights and sounds that immerses players deeply into the game's environment.
“Coupled with a play of lights and sounds, it plunges us into such a distressing atmosphere!”
- music1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its tense and atmospheric soundtrack, effectively enhancing the sense of fear and anticipation as players navigate their surroundings.
“Another great aspect is the tense soundtrack, which will leave you feeling scared to peek around each corner.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is well-optimized, running smoothly while delivering appealing visuals.
“The game runs smoothly and looks great.”
“The optimization is impressive, allowing for a seamless experience.”
“I appreciate how well the game performs on lower-end hardware.”