Sky Drift Review

Fans of flying games should be pretty disappointed with their options this generation. Sky Drift successfully tries to do something different in the genre, potentially expanding its appeal. They combine Mario Kart-like power-ups with a flight racing game. It works surprisingly well.

The game is split into two different main modes: an offline campaign and online multi-player. The developers don’t just throw you into the action though as a useful tutorial gears you up, explaining how to accelerate (R2 on PS3), make sharp turns (use both analog sticks in one direction), and make use of power-ups (square on PS3).

There are a total of seven stages which are broken up into various challenges. One of my favorite modes is the speed rings where you try to go through as many rings as possible to get an added speed boost. Normal races also exist where the objective is to simply be the first place plane after two laps.

In order to make things a little more exciting, you can collect power-ups that range from lock-on missiles to shields and repair kits. This can be both a blessing and a curse as the computer does a good job of locking on to your plane. They can be quite useful in catching up when you are far behind. Just do not expect them to save the day if you have the difficulty level turned up.

The level design is above average with graphics that are fairly impressive for a downloadable game. The one complaint I have in the graphics department is the fact that hidden walls are prevalent throughout each course. As far as the sound goes, the game makes bad use of English with phrases like “You are the first now.” I personally find it kind of funny. Other than that, the music is neither annoying nor spectacular.

Don’t let the cute-looking planes fool you. Sky Drift is a game more intended for a hardcore audience than the Mario Kart crowd. It proves to be a much more difficult game than you would think given its use of speed boosts, missiles and shield power-ups. You have to concentrate as much on eliminating your competing pilots as you do on flying the plane.