One Sunday morning, while browsing game demo videos on YouTube with my daughter, I stumbled upon a game that oddly reminded me of Subnautica, a game I absolutely loved (you can read my review for some shameless self-promotion, haha). Seeing a game resembling it, but this time in the sky and not underwater, got me excited—very excited. A few months later, the game is finally available, and I got my hands on it (a bit late to the party, but better late than never). So, let’s dive into the world of “Forever Skies.”

The story unfolds on an Earth devastated by an ecological catastrophe. Toxic dust has engulfed the planet’s surface, compelling survivors to seek refuge in orbit. In this post-apocalyptic world, players take on the role of explorers repairing, upgrading, and flying airships between different skyscrapers. Our mission? Find viral pathogens to cure a disease and attempt to restore humanity.

After a few minutes of gameplay, where you find your ship and equip it with a fabricator, research station, and engine, you’re free to explore as you please. There are given objectives, and it might be wise to follow them for the first couple of hours to get acquainted with everything. After that, you’re free to spend as much time flying as you like. Exploration isn’t just for fun; you’ll need to build, collect resources, and, most importantly, try not to die while in the desert that was once Earth.

You have four gauges in the lower corner of your screen, measuring energy, food, water, and health. Food and water are the ones you need to keep an eye on constantly, as they deplete the fastest, and if they hit zero, it’s game over. I was a bit surprised at how unforgiving “Forever Skies” can be at times. You really need to hustle to ensure you have regular food and water if you want to survive. So, I crammed a cooker, a water purifier, and more into my cramped airship, considering the research station and fabricator already took up a lot of space.

You can upgrade your ship as you see fit, adding more parts for a more spacious so you can breathe the toxic air around you and have a better view of the world. I didn’t go too far with customizing my ship because I liked the cozy feel of a smaller environment, but there’s potential for some truly impressive ship constructions.

“Forever Skies” might not be the best survival game for beginners in the genre, it demands a lot in the opening segment, both in terms of staying alive and in terms of resources. There are many vital elements that require a good amount of resources found on the map. Fortunately, they are mostly abundant early on, but the extractor on your ship is an absolute priority at this early stage. Without it, you’ll be left dead in the water. Or in the sky, I suppose.

With a soundtrack that perfectly complements the gaming experience, “Forever Skies” offers a captivating visual universe that blends post-apocalyptic landscapes with futuristic elements. The floating islands, terrestrial ruins, and clear skies are beautifully rendered, with meticulous details in textures and lighting. The airships, designed with a retro-futuristic aesthetic, add a unique touch to the environment.

Now, let’s talk about the downsides. Since the game is still in early access, there are occasional technical instabilities with a fair share of bugs and slowdowns. Also, some strange collisions and enemies behaving entirely whimsically. But let’s be fair; these glitches are often addressed as updates roll out.

“Forever Skies” is a promising game that skillfully combines exploration, management, and combat in a post-apocalyptic world. Despite some technical issues and limited content in early access, the immersive experience offered by the striking graphics and evocative soundtrack is unforgettable. Players should keep an eye on future updates, as this game has the potential to become a must-play for adventure and survival game enthusiasts, much like Subnautica.