Skully Reviews
I know some people put a lot of work into this and they may even be proud of it, but the simple truth of the matter is I did not have fun. I didn’t even feel the satisfaction of overcoming a challenge.
Skully is a masterclass in bad platformer design. Characters that are a chore to handle, sloppy level design, lousy camera controls, irritating puzzles, and a general lack of personality combine to create a profoundly tedious experience. If challenge is literally all you care about (even if it's wildly unfair), Skully might be worth a shot at a steep discount. Everyone else should spare themselves the headache.
Skully probably could have been a much more fun game than it currently is right now but there were far too many headaches especially physics wise that playing this game while suffering from an ailment that involves a headache to which I did, felt like I needed to be absent from my work for another day. So for those that like a challenge and don’t mind some camera and checkpoint issues then Skully might be a game that one can easily roll with.
Disappointing, but with a glimmer of hope down the line for a better iteration.
Skully is an attractive 3D platformer, but that's all it is. The gameplay is hit-or-miss and is severely hampered by poor controls. On top of that, the story is cliché and predictable, and none of the characters — not even the ones you're supposed to root for — are very likable. It's disappointing, but even if you're looking for a throwback to old school 3D platformers, Skully is a hard pass.
Skully has some good ideas and a surprisingly moving story, yet a lot of the good stuff is undermined by inconsistent gameplay and technical issues.
It’ll take a lot of patience to enjoy this one, even if you are a seasoned fan of 3D platformers.
Great puzzle design and a sense of wonder isn't enough to redeem Skully from its platforming shortfalls, in this quirky but frustrating title.
Skully has other issues too. A strange bug meant that I twice lost control of the golems, watching helplessly as they plunged into the nearest hazard. Sometimes when climbing vines, Skully would fall off for no reason. There were invisible walls, times when Skully deflected off platforms at an unnatural angle, and times when the lava would just disappear. A lot of players will likely give up before they reach the end of the game. It's a shame but completely understandable when the game has a heart that's let down by myriad problems.
The younger generation is sure to extract some enjoyment out of Skully, but it proves all too basic for those getting on in their years.
Skully has some interesting gameplay involving your multiple forms, but is ultimately let down by checkpoint issues, and blurry visuals
I hate being that guy who basically says "this isn't the game I wanted to play", but in Skully's case it seems the most appropriate conclusion. So much of the game concentrates on mechanics that were rightfully abandoned and too little fulfils the marble rolling promise of its early footage. Looks like I'm still waiting, like a strangely bearded Cinderalla, to go to the ball.
Skully's basic puzzle-solving and platforming are mostly benign, with occasional shows of both clever design and poor craftsmanship.
A frustrating mish-mash of weird and bad ideas that wastes a somewhat enjoyable story and moments of creativity
There are moments where Skully is an exciting and charming adventure though an island paradise. It's just buried under too much annoyances and level design issues.
On the whole, it does a very good job. Most of the cogs are moving in the right direction, and you will have fun throughout. But the weak points cannot be ignored. The main one has to be the collectables. A disappointing and pointless task that adds no purpose other than to keep you playing for a few more hours. I wish the developers had integrated this portion more intelligently. So, do I recommend it? Yes, it’s positives outweigh its negatives, and it does a good job on the whole. Can you help Terry see eye to eye with his siblings, or is this magical paradise destined to be war-torn for Eternity?
Skully would be a good recommendation, but the port has some technical problems in the graphics and the controls. It is a title that, with its challenging stages and simple storyline, reminds platformers of past generations. That so, the port that should have been released with more care, it is up to us to wait for a patch with corrections.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
I can’t help but feel the wiser choice would have been to add some more sarcasm and adult orientated humour. As it stands Skully is an interesting title, taking cues from Super Monkey Ball, Crash Bandicoot and Knack – although lacking the charm of the two former. If you like what you see in the trailer my suggestion would be to pick this one up in a sale, which likely won’t be too far down the road.
Skully rolls at its own pace. Which can include some sharp difficulty spikes and lead to some rather frustrating levels. But there’s an undeniable sense of old-school mascot fun to be had here in an adventure that doesn’t overstay its welcome.
For all of its frustration and foibles, Skully's traversal and puzzles make-up the most interesting parts of the game to keep you invested. With a story that manages to actually hit emotionally, it balances out the missteps of the platforming. The collectibles are rather unexciting and the color palette of earth tones lends itself to looking bland, but it'll surprise you. Much like the character, Skully is unassuming and meek, and will fill you with wonder throughout.