REVIEW / Old Skies (PC)

Time travel isn’t just a plot device in Old Skies by Wadjet Eye Games, but rather, it’s the emotional glue that binds this adventure together. The studio, long known for its moody point-and-clicks, raises the bar here with a sharper art direction and stronger presentation, but without losing the genre’s soul: character-driven storytelling and puzzles that reward thought over frustration.

Old Skies is a quiet powerhouse, a time-hopping journey that sneaks up on you emotionally. The narrative lingers on regret, memory, and second chances, wrapping intimate human moments inside a broader tale of history’s fragile threads. It’s not flashy, but it’s the kind of story that plants itself in your mind and keeps unfolding after you’ve logged off.

At the heart of the story is Fia Quinn, an agent for a company that offers supervised time travel for paying clients. Her job isn’t to rewrite history, but to escort these clients to different eras while keeping the timeline intact. Of course, people being people, not every client follows the rules. Some want to change their fate, undo mistakes, or chase what was lost, and that’s where things get complicated.

The beauty of the narrative is how it keeps personal stakes front and center. Instead of grandiose world-ending crises, the tension comes from small but powerful choices: a grieving parent who wants to save a child, an artist who wants a second chance at success, or a reckless thrill-seeker flirting with disaster. Each chapter explores how time travel tempts the heart, and the story often asks whether doing the “right” thing lines up with doing the human thing.

Visually, Old Skies is a treat. Each era feels distinct, whether it’s the smokey glow of a Prohibition speakeasy or the shine of Gilded Age streets. The art style blends crisp pixel work with smoother animations and a clean UI, making this one of studio’s best-looking releases. There’s a painterly vibe that makes wandering through each time period a joy.

The audio pushes it even further. The voice acting feels natural, with actors who breathe life into both major and minor characters. Pair that with a moody, era-appropriate soundtrack and the whole experience gains a cinematic edge. The soundscape never overpowers but instead quietly underscores the emotional beats of the story.

The gameplay in Old Skies plays it smart by focusing on clarity and logic. The puzzles are thoughtful and fair; there is no pixel-hunting, no nonsense. They may not stump veterans for long, but the satisfaction comes from piecing together the right information at the right time. The time-rewind mechanics, in particular, add an intriguing twist without overwhelming the flow.

That said, the pacing won’t be for everyone. Old Skies likes to take its time, letting moments breathe, which can feel slow if you’re craving constant action. A few puzzle segments can lean into trial-and-error, especially with mechanics that ask for repeated rewinds. If you’re not patient, those moments may test your resolve.

Still, the game’s emotional core more than makes up for those lulls. The characters feel real, their struggles grounded, and the choices you witness leave an impact. It’s less about saving the world and more about understanding the lives touched by time travel. It is a refreshing angle that makes the whole journey feel intimate.

On the technical side, the game is mostly smooth, with crisp presentation and stable performance. Yet here and there, animations or transitions can feel a touch uneven, keeping it just shy of total polish. Nothing game-breaking, but enough to remind you this is an indie effort with finite resources.Old Skies doesn’t try to dazzle with spectacle; instead, it builds a thoughtful, emotionally intelligent adventure. If you love story-first games, this is an easy recommendation. If you’re hunting for mechanical fireworks or relentless difficulty, you might come away underwhelmed. For me, though, the slow burn was worth it.

This review is based on a retail copy of the game provided by the publisher.