Game Review: Fly high with Sky Punks in one of the best endless adventures!

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by Chrisanna Lazaridou on 18 April 2015 · 3196 views

It’s been long since we last reviewed an endless runner and doing that now means I have a new obsession. Truth be told I wasn’t planning on checking another endless runner, at least for the time being, but Sky Punks stuck me with the cutesy designs and gorgeous visuals, as expected by the developer that brought us Plunder Pirates. Despite the usual concept that follows almost all endless runners, Sky Punks has this strange charm that is mainly based on the stunning visuals and secondly on the some unique features, which although are not enough to separate it from other ER games, they still distinguish it among the rest.

Plot

Sky Punks takes us to an imaginary land, that seems to borrow many elements from the Steampunk culture that is popular recently. Although the setting is not contemporary and takes place in a world named Neo Terra, technology does exist, and more specifically technological gadgets that you can use to fly, rocket equipment and other interesting objects! In this setting, our heroes go into adventures on the flying machines collecting coins and avoiding wild animals and obstacles.

Gameplay

As an endless runner, Sky Punks follows the usual recipe of playing until you lose, and get rewards based on the number of stars you got, with the maximum number being 3 stars. To get a star you have to fulfil a goal. At the bottom of your screen appears a bar that shows you how far you are from each sta, which helps a lot especially if things are rough and you fear of losing at any point. If the bar shows you got all 3 stars then you can relax and go as far as you can to collect coins. Actually, this is quite unique for an ER as usually the level ends when you collect all three stars or reach an end zone but in Sky Punks you can continue even after you achieve your goal, which is lovely and justifies its ER title.

The controls are the usual ER game controls: tap to jump, slash down to slide, and swipe to change lanes. Other than the coins, the game offers a variety of boost ups such as the "rocket" that when fired destroys the obstacle in front of you or the “fire” that gives your vehicle turbo speed and you can smash through obstacles.

Also, the “arena” if I may call it that, offers a variety of spots that give your character different abilities, e.g. the "whirlwind" that gives you speed or a green spot that covers you with a shield that breaks through obstacles for a few seconds, and the famous spot that allows you to jump high and is present in many endless runners.

I forgot to mention that it is very fast-paced and you are doomed to hit on an obstacle, or a Charger, an animal that looks like a rhino but is much bigger and scarier (brrrr), sooner or later. But you know that this is how ER games work so it’s nothing to be frustrated about when it happens.

Each star gives you a reward that could be anything- ranging from coins to a free revival and extra lives. There are other rewards as well, such as energy, magnets, shields and many more that you can also buy from the shop. In each level you are asked to achieve something e.g. to collect a number of coins, or to jump over a number of obstacles.

The map marks your stops and the score you achieved in each one. When you reach the last level of your current “chapter”, you have a different goal than usual, plus your level has an ending mark, meaning you can’t continue once you have achieved the goal. For instance, in the final level of chapter 1 you have to pass through rampaging Chargers, reach the city’s gate and lock it before the Chargers bark in and ruin everything. If you succeed the level ends.

The currency allows you to unlock new characters and vehicles, as well as to upgrade them as you see fit (clothes, gadgets etc.). There are a lot of upgrades to choose from and maximize your abilities.

When you level up you get many bonuses such as Neo Crystals (lives) that you can use to continue where you left off if you lose. Speaking of which, you don’t always have to resort to that when you lose. The game gives you the option to choose between spending Neo Crystals or watching a game ad, or even a free life.

In fact the game offers many chances to win rewards either by logging in with you FaceBook account (you can even unlock a character by doing that), Twitter or again by watching a game ad.

Graphics & Sounds

Probably the strongest asset of Sky Punks are the visuals. I don’t think I have seen such gorgeous graphics and designs to any Endless Runner game and it will probably be long till another one surpasses it.

Each chapter begins with a story told in the form of pictures, something like a comic. The characters have this anime-ish look and that makes them too adorable for our own good. There are also on-screen dialogs between the characters appearing when you’re in the map. The BG music is up-lifting and fun, and the sounds very clear and lively. I mostly love the sound of coin collection.

In-App Purchases

The shop is full of goodies and customization items, characters and vehicles. Basically anything that you can get as a reward is there and ready to be yours if you spend the required amount of coins.

Of course, you can spend real money to purchase coin packages, Neo Crystal packages and others but the game is generous enough and you won’t make you spend anything unless you really want to.

Conclusion

I think it’s clear by now that I love this game and I have no doubt you’ll see its charm as soon as you start playing. While it’s not offering something too different or revolutionary compared to other ER games, its details in features and stunning visuals should give you enough reasons to try it out and get addicted soon after.