Sky of Destruction (PS5) | REVIEW | Want More Destruction In Your Shmups?

Developed and published by Satur Entertainment, Sky of Destruction is a top-down shooter that throws players into intense aerial combat. The game’s premise is straightforward. You command a fleet of aircraft tasked with obliterating an enemy aircraft carrier or fortified structures while navigating a gauntlet of hostile forces. The narrative is minimal, serving as a thin backdrop to the action, with no deep story or character development to anchor the experience. It’s all about the thrill of destruction, leaning heavily on arcade-style chaos over plot depth.

The Gameplay ...

The game offers a focused set of features centered around its core mechanic of assembling and switching between a trio of customizable aircraft during missions. You can mix and match planes, each with unique stats and equipment slots, to tailor your fleet to specific challenges. The game includes a single-player campaign with a series of missions, each escalating in difficulty as you face waves of enemy fighters, turrets, and bosses. Bonus content in the game is sparse, limited to unlockable aircraft parts and upgrades earned through mission completions, with no additional modes like time trials or challenge arenas to spice things up.

The Mechanics ...

Gameplay revolves around quick reflexes and strategic fleet management. You control one aircraft at a time, switching between them mid-mission to adapt to threats or recover from damage. Each plane has its own health pool and inventory, allowing you to equip items that boost speed, firepower, or durability. The mechanics are simple but satisfying. You can dodge enemy fire, unleash barrages of bullets, and watch structures crumble in explosive spectacle. A progression system lets you upgrade aircraft with items earned from successful missions, adding a light RPG layer. However, the controls can feel clunky, especially when maneuvering through dense bullet patterns, and the AI is predictable, reducing the challenge over time. The need to protect your own aircraft carrier adds tension, but its vulnerability can lead to frustrating losses if not micromanaged.

The Presentation ...

Visually, Sky of Destruction is serviceable but not groundbreaking. The PS5’s power delivers smooth performance and crisp explosions, with destructible environments that add flair to the chaos. Aircraft and enemy designs are functional, though they lack distinct personality, blending into a generic sci-fi aesthetic. The top-down perspective limits visual spectacle, and while particle effects are vibrant, the overall look feels more last-gen than next-gen. The soundtrack is a weak point, with repetitive electronic tracks that fail to elevate the action. Sound effects, like the roar of engines and booming explosions, fare better but can’t fully compensate for the lackluster music.

The Verdict ...

Sky of Destruction delivers a solid, if unremarkable, arcade shooter experience. Its strengths lie in its satisfying destruction mechanics and fleet customization, which offer enough depth to keep solo players engaged for a few hours. However, the limited content variety, and shallow presentation hold it back from greatness. The controls and AI issues further dampen the experience, making it feel like a budget title stretched thin. Priced at around $12.99, it’s a decent value for fans of retro-style shooters looking for a quick fix, but it lacks the polish and longevity to justify a higher cost or compete with the PS5’s heavier hitters. For those craving explosive aerial action, it’s a fun distraction, just don’t expect it to soar too high.