Parents' Guide to Sky: Children of the Light

Simplistic controls are used to great effect in this beautiful adventure game. Sky: Children of the Light is an adventure game with puzzle and platforming elements in the vein of Journey, one of the studio's prior games, but with an additional emphasis on seamless multiplayer interaction. You take control of one of the Children of the Light in order to find and free trapped spirits as you make your way to the Light in the sky. Mechanically, the game focuses on three ideas: using your character's candle to light fires, making chirping noises to communicate with other characters, and a limited flying ability that increases as you free more spirits. Fires you light solve puzzles, but they also refill the meter that allows you to fly. As you go through different areas freeing spirits with these abilities, you slowly work your way towards a great light in the sky.

Sky: Children of the Light takes relatively simple concepts and elevates them to create a profound experience. The loop of finding new spirits to free and then drawing closer and closer to your destination in the sky is satisfying, and the progression of flight from short hops to soaring among the clouds is an unforgettable visual display. The more traditional game-like moments are fine, but nothing special. Collecting extra spirits that build up your ability to fly longer isn't tedious, but doesn't add much to the experience. The multiplayer elements are sometimes touching, and encourage cooperation, but often have a limited direct effect on the core gameplay. That said, it's still enjoyable to run around and chirp with your silent friends. The emphasis on replaying the game that some of the in-game currency caters to isn't terribly appealing, but the central experience presented by Sky: Children of the Light is excellent and well worth trying for yourself.