NightSky

Genre: Platformer

Players: 1

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Review:

NightSky is a physics-based Platformer released on PC in 2011, ported to Nintendo 3DS in 2012, then ported to mobile devices in 2013. This game has players guiding a black crystalline ball through various levels, making use of the game’s physics to get across various terrain.

While it’s technically simple, NightSky is a gorgeous game. The black 2D foreground against a beautiful, colorful gradient backdrop is already very appealing, but these visuals are made even better by subtle animations within the environment, from leaves blowing in the wind to the grass gently shifting. This serene beauty is heightened by an atmospheric soundtrack and some truly great sound design, with sounds for both the environment and the ball itself that really do a magnificent job building the reality of the simple 2D imagery.

The gameplay itself is similarly simple but good. Players can move their ball left or right (or rather, they can spin it clockwise or counter-clockwise to move it), they can hold down B to slow the ball, make precise movements, and stick to moving objects, or they can hold down Y to speed up their movements or in some cases reverse gravity. In addition, some environments feature objects in the environments that the player can remove on command by pressing the A button. There is no traditional “jump” button.

Using these controls, players must navigate through a variety of areas, putting to good use the game’s physics and different ways of controlling their ball, whether that means careening around swooping inclines, pushing around various objects, or making use of mechanical machines in some levels. There’s some really excellent level design here, and at some points this even feels like a Puzzle-Platformer due to how you need to think through how to progress.

There is one main issue here though, and that is a lack of continuity. Some places let you use your abilities, others don’t. Some have you using Y to speed up while some use it to reverse gravity. There doesn’t seem any rhyme or reason to this beyond whatever the particular area you’re in designates the controls to be. In addition, getting to the end of one area will sometimes shift you to a completely different location, lacking any sort of natural flow or progression. This runs counter to the simple, relaxed aesthetic the game presents, making these shifts feel more jarring.

Still, it’s hard to complain too much when NightSky is a joy of a Platformer that looks great, sounds great, and plays wonderfully. And while its lack of continuity may make it feel somewhat less cohesive, it is still a delightful entry in the genre that’s well worth playing.

tl;dr – NightSky is a physics-based Platformer where players roll a dark ball across a night landscape. This game’s simple visuals are beautiful, its sound design is impeccable, and the physics-driven gameplay is wonderful. My only real complaint here is the game has a jarring lack of continuity when you move from one area to the next. Otherwise, this is a real gem of a Platformer that’s well worth playing.

Grade: B+

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