Forever Skies emerged as a captivating early access survival game on Steam, drawing comparisons to the beloved Subnautica. The premise invites players to explore a skyward world, building and piloting their own airships—a concept that resonates with many adventure enthusiasts. Initially, the game garnered a ‘Very Positive’ rating, suggesting a promising trajectory. However, the recent reception has shifted, with current reviews reflecting a ‘Mixed’ rating. Players have voiced concerns regarding repetitive exploration, a lack of narrative depth, and a sense of stagnation once the core survival mechanics are mastered.
Addressing Player Concerns
In a candid Steam post titled “The Future of Forever Skies and Patch,” CEO Andrzej Blumenfeld acknowledged the disappointment felt by a significant portion of the player base. Accompanying the statement was a bar chart that outlined the primary areas of player dissatisfaction, a refreshing approach not often seen in Steam updates. The chart highlighted issues related to technical performance, repetitiveness, and uninspired mechanics.
Far From Home, the studio behind Forever Skies, has committed to addressing these concerns in forthcoming updates. They expressed a desire to foster open dialogue with players, emphasizing the importance of community feedback in shaping the game’s future.
Upcoming Improvements
The upcoming patch aims to tackle issues that the studio had identified prior to recognizing the four key areas needing improvement. While the changes may appear modest—such as enhancements to animations, the introduction of aim assist for controllers, new loading screens, and an alternative death screen—the studio is also implementing a variety of bug fixes.
Having experienced the launch version myself, I find merit in the critical feedback. The airship mechanics are indeed enjoyable, and the building system is robust. There are moments of intrigue, particularly when descending from the airship to explore the desolate Earth below. Yet, the game struggles to maintain engagement, often leading players through a series of similar ruined structures. While I appreciate Far From Home’s commitment to refining the experience, it is evident that substantial work lies ahead if Forever Skies is to truly capture the essence of a skyward adventure akin to Subnautica.
