Wadjet Eye Games, renowned for its narrative-driven point-and-click adventures like Unavowed and the Blackwell series, returns with Old Skies, a time-travelling odyssey that combines intricate storytelling with classic adventure gameplay. Released on April 23, 2025, for PC and Nintendo Switch, Old Skies invites players to explore seven distinct eras of New York City’s history through the eyes of time agent Fia Quinn.
A Journey Through Time
In Old Skies, players assume the role of Fia Quinn, a time agent working for the ChronoZen agency. Her mission: to accompany clients on temporal excursions, ensuring they don’t disrupt the timeline. These clients, driven by curiosity or unresolved matters, pay handsomely for the chance to revisit the past. Fia’s tasks range from retrieving lost artworks to uncovering historical secrets, all while navigating the complexities of time travel.
The game spans seven meticulously crafted time periods, including the Prohibition era, the Gilded Age, and even the morning of September 11, 2001. Each era is brought to life with hand-drawn 1920×1080 graphics, a significant leap from Wadjet Eye’s previous titles . The visual fidelity enhances the immersive experience, capturing the essence of each historical setting.
Engaging Narrative and Characters
Old Skies excels in storytelling, weaving together individual client stories into a cohesive narrative that reflects Fia’s personal journey. The game’s strength lies in its ability to balance humour, mystery, and emotional depth. As noted by Eurogamer, the game “blends elegant puzzling and intricate, affecting storytelling to beautiful effect” .
Fia’s character is particularly compelling. Her pragmatic approach to time travel, combined with moments of introspection, adds layers to her personality. The voice acting, featuring Wadjet Eye’s largest cast to date, brings authenticity to the diverse characters encountered throughout the game .
Innovative Gameplay Mechanics
At its core, Old Skies adheres to traditional point-and-click mechanics: collecting items, solving puzzles, and engaging in dialogue. However, it introduces innovative elements that set it apart. The Historical Archive, a comprehensive database accessible during missions, allows players to research and cross-reference information, adding a detective-like dimension to the gameplay.
Time travel mechanics are cleverly integrated into puzzles. Players must think temporally, considering how actions in one era affect outcomes in another. The game also features time loop scenarios where failure leads to repetition, encouraging players to learn from mistakes and approach challenges differently. While these sequences can occasionally feel repetitive, they align with the game’s thematic focus on cause and effect.
Artistic and Musical Excellence
The game’s art direction, led by Ben Chandler, delivers visually stunning environments that capture the mood of each time period. From the smoky jazz clubs of the 1920s to the bustling streets of 19th-century New York, the attention to detail is evident.
Complementing the visuals is a captivating musical score by Thomas Regin, known for his work on Unavowed and the Blackwell series. The music enhances the atmosphere, adapting to the emotional tone of each scene and era.
Accessibility and Technical Performance
Old Skies offers several accessibility options, including adjustable subtitle sizes, auto-advance text, and customizable volume controls. The game supports both mouse and controller inputs, catering to different player preferences. Technically, the game runs smoothly, with no significant bugs or performance issues reported.
Final Thoughts
Old Skies is a testament to Wadjet Eye Games’ mastery of the point-and-click genre. It combines a compelling narrative, innovative gameplay mechanics, and high production values to deliver an experience that is both nostalgic and fresh. While the time loop segments may not appeal to everyone, they are a minor blemish on an otherwise outstanding game.
