Recent reviews by Pienzchen

I think this has to be the coziest of cozy games. Very sweet and relaxing. Perfect to destress and find a colourful escape. Even though there is not a lot to do you will allways find something to occupy yourself with, like perfecting a neglected corner with just the right decoration , space out tight spots, or rearranging offset plants after a specificcally challenging birdhunt in a forresty area. I have a lot of fun with the game when I am looking for something relaxing without any hassle or challenge.

I loved the demo of Aloft and love the Early Access version even more. After 75 hours I didn't experience any severe bugs or crashes. Sometimes the frame rate dropped a bit while gliding between islands, but that didn't bother me too much.

I tend to play at a very slow pace, playing more for escapism than action. I really love the art style and the fact that even in the beginning the player can build a basic home with an inviting atmosphere with just a few resources. And the unique and very beautiful artstyle ensures that allthough Aloft may fall under the tag of "cozy", it never feels too cutsy, kitschy or sugary sweet.

The progression of the game is very much up to the player and I appreciate being able to take my sweet time, without feeling the pressure of a quest list or any urgency of not getting anywhere quick enough.

The game mechanics feel very intuitive to me. At no point was I tempted to refer to any outside sources because I felt at a loss or didn't understand how a goal might be achieved. If something can't be done yet, the answer usually isn't more than an island or two ahead. Still I don't feel like the game takes me by the hand. The lore enfolds quite naturally throughout the game with intuitive and artistic symbolism and visuals. There seem to be no underlying morals implied in restoring the ecosphere, a refreshing take on the matter. Helping the islands to thrive again feels just as natural as building your home or trying new skills. I like that a lot.

So, 3 D Chess this game is not, nor are fighting skills or an aptitude for strategic skill tree developement required. There is a little combat, because nothing good comes for free. But most of the time you will enjoy tending to your animals, growing your favorite foods or lie in the meadow until you feel utterly at peace. And then there is the flying of course. You can soar through the skies, as if you were made for it. An absolute thrill in my book.