Old Skies Review – A Time Travel Tale of Regret and Humanity
Time travel in games usually means saving the world, bending reality, or dodging paradoxes. But in Wadjet Eye Games’ Old Skies, it’s about something far more powerful—and painful: regret.
This point-and-click adventure, helmed by genre veteran Dave Gilbert, takes a mature, emotional approach to a sci-fi concept we all secretly wish for: the ability to change our past.
But what happens when you’re the one person who can never change?
Who Is Fia Quinn?
You play as Fia Quinn, a ChronoZen agent living in 2060s New York. She’s not a time traveler in the traditional heroic sense. Her job? Chaperoning wealthy clients into the past to tweak their timelines—reuniting with lost loved ones, fixing regrets, or just chasing what could’ve been.
But there’s a catch: Fia is chronolocked.
No matter how the timeline shifts, she remains unchanged. She might wake up with a child she’s never met, or suddenly be a glamorous socialite—but from her perspective, she’s always just… Fia.
This haunting premise grounds Old Skies in questions of identity, memory, and agency, making it emotionally rich and narratively unique.
Time Travel That Respects Your Brain
Unlike many classic adventure games, Old Skies doesn’t rely on frustrating “moon logic.”
Instead, its puzzles are grounded in common sense, but remain interactive and creative. You’ll:
- Jump between time periods
- Plant solutions in the past to see effects in the future
- Create futuristic drugs using extinct ingredients
This is time-travel puzzle design done right—thoughtful, playful, and always satisfying.
As with other Wadjet Eye titles like Unavowed or Technobabylon, the puzzles challenge you just enough without ever being a roadblock.
New Look, Same Heart
Visually, Old Skies marks a bold departure for Wadjet Eye.
Ben Chandler trades the studio’s familiar pixel art for a comic book-inspired aesthetic. Characters are hand-drawn with bold lines, expressive faces, and real personality.
- Environments? Still stunning.
- Art style? Fresh, but loyal to the studio’s indie heart.
- Soundtrack? A bluesy, jazz-laced score by Thomas Regin, perfectly setting the tone for time-hopping.
The Real Hook: The Writing
Each mission in Old Skies begins as a standalone vignette—a time-travel “case” that seems self-contained. But slowly, they stitch together into a deeper, interconnected arc exploring:
- Love and longing
- Loss and memory
- The ache of a life never quite lived
As Fia begins to question her role and seek permanence in a shifting world, the emotional stakes soar.
🎙 Sally Beaumont gives an unforgettable performance as Fia, capturing her weary resilience and quiet heartbreak with grace.
Final Thoughts
Too many time-travel games get lost in sci-fi spectacle.
Old Skies strips it all back—revealing a story about people. Flawed, yearning, hopeful people.
And one woman stuck in the eye of a storm she can’t escape.
It’s poignant, thoughtful, and one of the most moving adventure games in years.
🌟 Final Rating: 9/10
Poignant, polished, and profoundly human.
🕹 Where to Play Old Skies
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is Old Skies connected to other Wadjet Eye Games titles?
No, Old Skies is a standalone story. While it shares the narrative depth and visual style of games like Unavowed or Technobabylon, you don’t need to have played any previous titles to enjoy this one.
2. How long does it take to complete Old Skies?
Most players can complete the game in 6–8 hours, depending on puzzle-solving speed and how thoroughly you explore each time period.
3. Does Old Skies have multiple endings?
Yes—your decisions and how you resolve each time-travel mission can subtly influence the story. While there’s a primary narrative arc, your choices shape Fia’s emotional journey.