Dark Whimsy Found In Rogue Sky
Rogue Sky ($0.99) by Chillingo Ltd looks and sounds like an app Tim Burton might have created. You pilot a grinning balloon named Pumpkin through the clouds in an attempt to complete each mission.
The first four levels serve as an introduction to the gameplay, which includes two thrust buttons to control your movement (ala “Lunar Lander”). Cannons come next, followed by depth charges and disrupt charges. You’ll need them to destroy mines and enemy balloons.
Each mission varies, though they all revolve around the same idea: maneuver your balloon through the maze of clouds and avoid the baddies. Thunderclouds will be your first main obstacle. Touch them and a bolt of lightning will fry your balloon, taking away a point of life.
Even with just the introduction, the game’s difficulty felt trying at times. With only three hit points to spare, precision flying of the balloon is key. While the controls did feel responsive and the physics on par, the narrow passages within the clouds are very unforgiving. I cringed each time my balloon came within spitting distance of the thunderclouds, out of fear that I would have to play the level from scratch once more.
However, the games graphics and music are very entertaining. Just the idea of flying a jack-o’-lantern balloon exudes character. But the music is even better. The “Danny Elfman-esque” soundtrack motivated me to finish the level, even after the fourth or fifth try.
In addition to Pumpkin, there are also the Rogue Brothers: Tank, Flash, Dash, and Fury. Each balloon is unlocked after sets of 10 levels, and they feature improvements in either firepower or speed.
Even given this game’s difficulty, it’s still worth a shot to experience the dark, whimsical story.
