Hazel Sky – Review
In video games, I like the most when I follow instructions, stick to rules, and check off lists. Because of my preference for order, I often feel disoriented when given free reign in open world games. Since life is so unpredictable and chaotic in the real world, perhaps we want some predictability and structure in our virtual worlds when we play video games. Hazel Sky combines the two styles by providing both free exploration and the requirement to strictly adhere to predetermined plans. As an engineer, you have been chosen to take a test. What’s your grade going to be?
Although most of us are used to seeing credit rolls longer than the cast of a Marvel movie at the end of video games, Hazel Sky was developed by a Brazilian firm that is probably smaller than the catering staff for Call of Duty. What they’ve created, though, is something entirely new and exciting. New work that takes risks and attempts new ideas is always welcome, even if it can be a bit rough around the edges at times. It accomplishes that goal without a doubt.
You play the role of a young man named Shane Casey from the floating metropolis of Gideon in Hazel Sky. Engineers are held in the highest regard by Gideon since they are the only people in their culture capable of building aircraft from blueprints. In order to complete his trials, Shane must travel to three different islands, construct three different types of flying machines, and then return to the city.
While on the islands, Shane comes across documents and publications that shed light on his engineer’s family history and the local culture. Strange radio broadcasts with ominous undertones and hazy details about an impending conflict can be heard. Shane begins chatting with another engineer, Erin, via walkie-talkie, revealing both more facts and misgivings about their respective careers.
The story and world-building are both excellent and refreshingly new. The relationship discussion between Shane and Erin, as well as the books and documents discovered on the island, were highlights for me. My one and only gripe with Hazel Sky is that some plotlines are set up but never resolved. There’s a feeling that there’s more to the game than what’s been revealed so far, at least in terms of the story. We can only hope that this is a precursor to greater things to come.
The game is played from a third-person perspective, and each of the three islands has an aeroplane that needs a few specific components to get back in the air. If you want to fix a hot air balloon, for instance, you’ll need to find some canvas, and if you want to fix a plane, you’ll need to find some metal pieces to weld into the fuselage. Repairs become more involved as you travel across the islands; completing your mission will require a string of increasingly difficult steps.
Maintaining order is manageable, but not always as flexible as I’d want. Weird and unnatural, the action buttons just don’t work. As you traverse the course on platforms and swing from ropes, you’ll also encounter climbing parts. Again, it’s serviceable, although the controls can occasionally let you down. To your relief, the checkpoint system is flexible, so you won’t have to do too much retracing. I’ve had a great time exploring Hazel Sky’s world and solving the puzzles that have presented themselves to me. There are many hidden items and collectibles to seek out as well.
There’s a lot of visual appeal. Light is used imaginatively, and there is a sense of awe in each setting. Brilliant use of collectibles can also be found, particularly in the layout of the books left behind by the building’s former occupants. They’ve done a fantastic job with Hazel Sky, and it’s clear that a lot of hard work and creativity came from a tiny team of devs. The soundtrack is equally impressive, with a wonderful score throughout and some incredibly unique tracks.
While the runtime of Hazel Sky is only about four hours, you won’t feel shortchanged. Hazel Sky’s intriguing premise, beautiful aesthetics, and varied gameplay make it well worth your time, despite the fact that the controls can be a bit off-putting at first.
