Uploaded August 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Skyblazer, developed by the team behind the Super Nintendo version of hook, and published by Sony Imagesoft (that's right, pre-playstation sony), is a 2D action adventure platformer hybrid, that I can best describe, off the top of my head, as what you might get if you mixed a game like Mega Man X, with something like Super Castlevania 4.
In Skyblazer, you assume the role of Sky, descendent of the great sorcerer sky-lord, on his quest to save the sorceress Arianna, who has been kidnapped by the lord of war Ashura, in Ashura's quest to resurrect his master Raglan, the lord of destruction. Not the most original story, however, unique for it's time, there are even a few text sequences throughout the game that move the story forward, albeit, not too far forward. It is a unique touch, but skyblazer doesn't spend too much time on the story elements in general.
Skyblazer is just fun to play. I know that is not very descriptive, but I would say a lot of the enjoyment comes from the complete freedom of movement in controlling Sky, mixed with his ability to scale walls, and the special abilities he earns along the way, the gameplay just feels polished.
Sky moves fast, and freely. The player always has control of him, even in the air. Sky can even recover from the castlevania style blowback when he takes a hit in mid air, and his ability to scale walls is put to good use, both in the level designs, and in the platform jumping elements in the game. Missing a platform doesn't spell instant death like is does in so many other games of this type, because sky he will grab the corner of each platform, saving players from certain death. The complete air control definitely makes skyblazer feel like a platformer, but sky's one..two..kick combo and special attacks he uses to dispatch enemies, gives it an action feel.
Over the course of the game, sky will earn 8 special abilities, seven of which he earns by defeating bosses, megaman style. Though I found very limited uses for four of these abilities, the dash, the heal, and, the default ability, the name of which I'm am sure I would know if I had the manual for the game are invaluable to your quest.
The developers even thought enough to allow players to pause the game and scroll through the abilities as the game is paused, making it easier to get the one you need in the throes of battle.
From a design standpoint, the level themes themselves are standard fare, you have your typical fire, ice, and underwater stages, though the wind stage is a bit different. You have played similar levels in a multitude of games that have come before, and since Skyblazer's release, but the game's blend of gameplay mechanics still keeps things feeling fresh.
The level designs themselves are pretty straightforward. Skyblazer keeps it simple. The level designs do make very good use of sky's abilities, especially his ability to to scale walls, taking it beyond just being just a cool gimmick, and making it a central part of the gameplay experience. Sky's ability to dash, becomes an essential ability in the later levels, and can be a life saver when you accidentally fall off a ledge.
The boss fights, which occur, on average, every two levels or so, do land a little on the easy side. At least, that is, once you learn their patterns. When I fist played the game, I did spend many lives learning their patterns, so they are not complete pushovers at first, however, their patterns will not take the average gamer long to figure out.
The music is also really well done, and adds almost and RPG style mystic to the game. In fact, it reminds me of the music you would hear in your average 16-bit RPG. While I wouldn't say they are as iconic as the themes in some games, the tracks are still well done, and add nicely to the experience. The sound effects, however, are mostly generic, but not bad in themselves.
If I would say that Skyblazer has one big flaw outside of it's relatively easy difficulty (though that is not to say that I did not die plenty of times), it would have to do with the game's short length. My initial playthrough only took me around two hours, but I did get lost for a while in the dragonhill forest. This is a game you can easily sit down and beat in one sitting. The game is short and sweet, but it is a shame that there isn't more here. It feels like the game's full potential was stunted by it's length. However, what skyblazer does offer is fun enough to make it worth your while to play.
And for those who do not have the time to sit down and beat it in one sitting, Skyblazer offers a password system, given to the player at each shrine on the overworld map.
The Bottom Line: Skyblazer is short, but sweet. It is fun, but it will not take you long to beat. That being said, you certainly will not regret spending time with this completely overlooked gem.
#skyblazer #snesgames #snes
Skyblazer, developed by the team behind the Super Nintendo version of hook, and published by Sony Imagesoft (that's right, pre-playstation sony), is a 2D action adventure platformer hybrid, that I can best describe, off the top of my head, as what you might get if you mixed a game like Mega Man X, with something like Super Castlevania 4.
In Skyblazer, you assume the role of Sky, descendent of the great sorcerer sky-lord, on his quest to save the sorceress Arianna, who has been kidnapped by the lord of war Ashura, in Ashura's quest to resurrect his master Raglan, the lord of destruction. Not the most original story, however, unique for it's time, there are even a few text sequences throughout the game that move the story forward, albeit, not too far forward. It is a unique touch, but skyblazer doesn't spend too much time on the story elements in general.
Skyblazer is just fun to play. I know that is not very descriptive, but I would say a lot of the enjoyment comes from the complete freedom of movement in controlling Sky, mixed with his ability to scale walls, and the special abilities he earns along the way, the gameplay just feels polished.
Sky moves fast, and freely. The player always has control of him, even in the air. Sky can even recover from the castlevania style blowback when he takes a hit in mid air, and his ability to scale walls is put to good use, both in the level designs, and in the platform jumping elements in the game. Missing a platform doesn't spell instant death like is does in so many other games of this type, because sky he will grab the corner of each platform, saving players from certain death. The complete air control definitely makes skyblazer feel like a platformer, but sky's one..two..kick combo and special attacks he uses to dispatch enemies, gives it an action feel.
Over the course of the game, sky will earn 8 special abilities, seven of which he earns by defeating bosses, megaman style. Though I found very limited uses for four of these abilities, the dash, the heal, and, the default ability, the name of which I'm am sure I would know if I had the manual for the game are invaluable to your quest.
The developers even thought enough to allow players to pause the game and scroll through the abilities as the game is paused, making it easier to get the one you need in the throes of battle.
From a design standpoint, the level themes themselves are standard fare, you have your typical fire, ice, and underwater stages, though the wind stage is a bit different. You have played similar levels in a multitude of games that have come before, and since Skyblazer's release, but the game's blend of gameplay mechanics still keeps things feeling fresh.
The level designs themselves are pretty straightforward. Skyblazer keeps it simple. The level designs do make very good use of sky's abilities, especially his ability to to scale walls, taking it beyond just being just a cool gimmick, and making it a central part of the gameplay experience. Sky's ability to dash, becomes an essential ability in the later levels, and can be a life saver when you accidentally fall off a ledge.
The boss fights, which occur, on average, every two levels or so, do land a little on the easy side. At least, that is, once you learn their patterns. When I fist played the game, I did spend many lives learning their patterns, so they are not complete pushovers at first, however, their patterns will not take the average gamer long to figure out.
The music is also really well done, and adds almost and RPG style mystic to the game. In fact, it reminds me of the music you would hear in your average 16-bit RPG. While I wouldn't say they are as iconic as the themes in some games, the tracks are still well done, and add nicely to the experience. The sound effects, however, are mostly generic, but not bad in themselves.
If I would say that Skyblazer has one big flaw outside of it's relatively easy difficulty (though that is not to say that I did not die plenty of times), it would have to do with the game's short length. My initial playthrough only took me around two hours, but I did get lost for a while in the dragonhill forest. This is a game you can easily sit down and beat in one sitting. The game is short and sweet, but it is a shame that there isn't more here. It feels like the game's full potential was stunted by it's length. However, what skyblazer does offer is fun enough to make it worth your while to play.
And for those who do not have the time to sit down and beat it in one sitting, Skyblazer offers a password system, given to the player at each shrine on the overworld map.
The Bottom Line: Skyblazer is short, but sweet. It is fun, but it will not take you long to beat. That being said, you certainly will not regret spending time with this completely overlooked gem.
#skyblazer #snesgames #snes
