Game: Skies Above
Genre: Action, Arcade
System: Nintendo Switch (also on Steam (Windows))
Developer|Publisher: HungryDingo | Flynns Arcade
Age Rating: EU 12 | US Everyone 10+
Price: US $7.99 | UK £6.99 | EU € 7,99
Release Date: April 17th, 2025
A review was code provided, with many thanks to Flynns Arcade.
Skies Above – Protect the Beast, Ride the Storm
Flynn’s Arcade has built a solid reputation as a publisher that specialises in bite-sized, retro-style arcade games, often single-screen affairs that feel ripped straight out of the ‘80s. But Skies Above marks a refreshing shift. While still drenched in pixel charm and arcade speed, this title leans more into the roguelike realm, bringing with it meaningful progression, upgrades, and just enough story to make each run feel like part of a bigger journey.
This is a game best played in short bursts, but don’t let the casual presentation fool you, Skies Above offers depth, replayability, and an emotional hook that caught me off guard in the best way.
A Sky-Faring Tale with Heart
The story sets the stage with a brief but effective cutscene: massive space-travelling creatures known as Leviathans have landed on a planet to rest. Unfortunately, humanity, predictably, sees them as nothing more than a resource to be mined. Energy-hungry drones are dispatched to harvest their power, threatening the peaceful giants.
Enter you: a rebel and eco-warrior who rides on the backs of these majestic beasts to fend off waves of robotic attackers. That’s all you need, really. The story is minimalist, but it gives purpose to the action. And surprisingly, it works. You begin to grow attached to the Leviathan, and each run feels like you’re protecting a living, breathing creature, your sky-whale bestie, if you will.
Hook, Dash, Bounce, Repeat
Gameplay in Skies Above is frantic in the best way. You start each run mounted on the Leviathan’s back, bouncing from one enemy drone to another using a grappling hook-like mechanic. You can chain your attacks, dash through enemies, and keep the combo meter climbing. It’s fast, fluid, and surprisingly strategic once you get into the rhythm.
At times, you’ll need to land back on the Leviathan to eliminate leech-like parasites feeding off its energy. These moments offer crucial energy rewards, which feed into the game’s upgrade systems.
New enemy types are introduced at a nice pace, keeping each run feeling fresh. And true to roguelike form, death is only a temporary setback. When you fall, you return to the hub area with loot to spend and new features potentially unlocked.
Build Back Stronger
Between runs, you can upgrade your Leviathan. Using coins and energy crystals you collect during each outing, you can increase the Leviathan’s movement speed, health, and more. But the real meat comes from spending special energy shards on the hub world’s upgrade tree.
This system unlocks genuinely fun content, like mini-challenges, the fan-favourite fishing minigame, in-game challenges and other little spiritual surprises. This slow drip of progression keeps the game endlessly engaging. You always feel just one or two good runs away from unlocking the next cool thing.
Pixel Charm with a Majestic Centrepiece
While the visuals lean into simple, classic pixel art for your character and enemies, Skies Above shines in its depiction of the Leviathan. It’s massive, beautiful, and detailed, a floating, otherworldly creature that glides gracefully across the screen. Watching it soar or rest peacefully in the hub area adds a visual weight and a sense of purpose to your mission.
The world around the Leviathan is filled with a mix of characters and subtle environmental storytelling. It doesn’t scream for attention but quietly rewards those who pay attention.
Conclusion– One More Flight
Skies Above is another strong showing from publisher Flynn’s Arcade, and perhaps one of their most refined yet. They sure know how to pick their developers. It blends arcade-style immediacy with roguelike depth, all wrapped in a charming and heartfelt package. You’ll come for the satisfying aerial combat, but you’ll stay because you want to protect your flying space whale.
Ideal for short sessions but loaded with enough progression to keep you playing for the long haul, Skies Above is absolutely worth your time, especially if you’re a fan of quick-fire roguelikes with a unique twist.
Final Verdict: I Like it a Lot 
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