There is something undeniably charming about a game that knows exactly what it wants to be. In an era when action-adventures are often sprawling, cinematic experiences packed with skill trees, crafting systems and dozens of hours of content, Forward to the Sky feels refreshingly old-fashioned. It doesn’t chase trends or attempt to reinvent the genre. Instead, it offers a colourful, compact adventure inspired by the whimsical 3D platformers that filled consoles in the early 2000s.
Originally released on PC over a decade ago, Forward to the Sky has steadily found new audiences through various console ports. Developed by Animu Game and published by COSEN, this latest release brings the game to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2, with visual refinements and performance improvements that help its bright world shine even more. At its core, it remains very much the same adventure, but time has been kind to its colourful presentation, even if some of its gameplay systems now feel noticeably dated.
The result is a pleasant journey that rarely frustrates and often manages to raise a smile. It is also a game that struggles to sustain excitement once its initial charm wears off. Forward to the Sky is easy to like, but considerably harder to love.
A Princess Looking to Prove Herself
The story begins with a determined princess, tired of being dismissed as little more than a reckless troublemaker. Armed with an oversized sword and an even greater sense of determination, she sets off alone to climb the mysterious Tower of the Sky. Ancient legends speak of magical crystals hidden throughout the structure, each revealing fragments of history and ultimately leading to the whereabouts of the legendary witch who has remained hidden for generations.
It is a simple fairy-tale setup, but one that works surprisingly well because it never tries to become more complicated than necessary. Rather than overwhelming players with lengthy dialogue or endless exposition, the narrative unfolds naturally through collectible crystals scattered across each floor of the tower. Each discovery slowly pieces together the tower’s forgotten past while giving the princess another reason to climb ever higher.
The cast remains intentionally small throughout the adventure. The princess carries the story with an enthusiastic personality, while the mysterious witch lingers just beyond reach as an intriguing goal rather than an ever-present villain. This creates an atmosphere that feels more curious than threatening, encouraging exploration rather than urgency.
Every Crystal Tells A Story
Forward to the Sky divides its adventure into six distinct stages, each a section of the towering castle suspended above the clouds. Progression is straightforward, but players cannot simply rush towards each exit. Hidden throughout every level are one hundred magical crystals that gradually reveal pieces of the story through beautifully illustrated mosaics.
This collectible structure gives exploration genuine purpose. Rather than feeling like optional extras placed purely for completionists, the crystals become the primary storytelling device. Smashing pots, searching behind pillars and investigating quiet corners all contribute to uncovering the mystery surrounding the tower.
Thankfully, the game never becomes exhausting in its search for collectibles. Most crystals are placed naturally along the intended route, while others gently encourage players to look around without becoming frustratingly obscure. Completionists will enjoy hunting down every last shard, but casual players can still appreciate the adventure without obsessing over perfection.
Platforming Without Punishment
Perhaps the most welcoming aspect of Forward to the Sky is its refusal to punish mistakes too harshly. Platforming challenges include moving platforms, spinning hazards, collapsing bridges and shifting winds, yet falling into the endless sky rarely results in failure.
Instead, a cheerful hot air balloon swoops beneath the princess, then gently carries her back to the nearest safe platform. It is a wonderfully forgiving mechanic that removes much of the frustration often associated with precision platforming. Younger players and newcomers can simply enjoy exploring without fearing constant restarts after every mistimed jump.
The puzzles follow a similarly accessible philosophy. Simple environmental interactions, light-switch mechanisms and block-pushing challenges provide enough variety to break up exploration without ever slowing the adventure to a crawl. Veterans may breeze through them with little resistance, but they fit the game’s relaxed tone perfectly.
There are occasional moments when jump distances or collision detection feel slightly awkward, particularly around rotating hazards, yet these frustrations remain relatively minor thanks to the forgiving checkpoint system.
A Beautiful World Built For Relaxation
The strongest reason to experience Forward to the Sky is its atmosphere. Animu Game has created a wonderfully colourful fantasy world filled with floating ruins, bright skies and elegant stone architecture. Every environment embraces a soft, anime-inspired art style that feels inviting from beginning to end. While the visual complexity cannot compete with modern blockbuster productions, the clean presentation has aged remarkably well.
The updated console versions sharpen textures and improve overall image quality, making the tower’s architecture appear crisper than ever. Combined with smooth performance, the result is a polished presentation that suits the game’s peaceful pacing.
The soundtrack deserves equal praise. Gentle orchestral melodies accompany every step of the journey, creating an almost therapeutic atmosphere that perfectly complements the floating landscapes. Rather than relying on dramatic battle themes or bombastic orchestral crescendos, the music quietly supports the adventure without ever demanding attention. It is the kind of soundtrack that lingers in your memory long after the credits roll.
Voice acting is similarly effective. Both the Japanese and English performances suit the light-hearted tone, giving the characters enough personality without becoming overly theatrical.
Where The Adventure Begins To Falter
Unfortunately, the same cannot always be said of the combat. Battles quickly reveal themselves as the weakest element of the experience. The princess swings her enormous sword with satisfying animation, but encounters rarely require anything beyond repeatedly pressing the attack button until enemies disappear. There are no meaningful defensive mechanics, no combo systems, and very little strategic depth to speak of.
Because the protagonist can absorb significant damage, even larger enemy encounters become little more than brief interruptions between platforming sections. Combat functions adequately, but it never becomes genuinely engaging. After several hours, every encounter begins to blur together.
The game’s relatively short length also limits its ability to leave a lasting impression. Experienced players will comfortably complete the main adventure in two to three hours, even while collecting most of the available crystals. Additional modes such as Tower Run and Monster Wave offer some replay value, but they cannot fully compensate for the campaign’s brevity.
A Nostalgic Spirit That Still Shines
Despite its shortcomings, Forward to the Sky has a sincerity that makes it hard to dislike. It embraces the design philosophy of an earlier generation without irony or apology. There are no intrusive monetisation systems, no bloated progression mechanics and no unnecessary distractions. Instead, it focuses entirely on delivering a colourful afternoon adventure centred on exploration, simple puzzles and gentle platforming.
That sense of restraint becomes one of its greatest strengths. While it lacks the mechanical complexity of modern action-adventures, it never overstays its welcome. By the time the credits roll, the game has comfortably delivered everything it set out to achieve.
Players seeking a demanding action platformer may leave disappointed, but those hoping for a relaxing fantasy journey with cheerful visuals and straightforward gameplay will likely find plenty to enjoy.
Final Verdict
Forward to the Sky is a charming reminder that not every adventure needs to be grand to leave a pleasant impression. Its colourful world, welcoming platforming and soothing soundtrack create an experience that feels comforting from beginning to end, while its collectible-driven storytelling encourages exploration without becoming overwhelming. Although the combat lacks depth and the adventure concludes far sooner than many players might hope, its warmth and sincerity help carry it across the finish line.
Animu Game and COSEN have delivered a technically polished console release that preserves the original game’s whimsical personality while benefiting from modern hardware. It may never stand alongside the giants that inspired it, but it succeeds as an enjoyable, family-friendly adventure that offers a relaxing escape from the increasingly demanding pace of modern gaming. Sometimes, spending a few quiet hours climbing a magical tower is exactly the adventure you didn’t realise you needed.
