The Art of Flight – Odličan arkadni shooter za više igrača

• DEVELOPER: Et Al Games
• IZDAVAČ: Page To Pixel Publishing LLC
• PLATFORME: PC
• ŽANR: Arcade / Shooter / Rougelike
• DATUM IZLASKA: 7. travnja 2025.
• POČETNA CIJENA: 9,75€
• RECENZIRANA VERZIJA: PC

What happens when you mix a cozy vibe, classic arcade-style gameplay, simple yet engaging dodge-focused combat, and the thrill of stacking tons of spaceships on one screen? You get The Art of Flight. I first tried the demo last year, and it was a mess plagued by bugs and unbalanced gameplay. But the full release? It absolutely delivers, exceeding my expectations.

Tun twist on the shmup genre

The Art of Flight is a singleplayer and local co-op arcade shooter with roguelike twists, featuring modes like Endless, Defend, Pacifist, Slalom, and Versus. Its unique hook, controlling multiple ships at once, delivers fast-paced, strategic moments as you dodge enemy waves, grab power-ups, and chase high scores on leaderboards.

You pilot a squadron of ships as a single unit, each equipped with standard fire, lock-on missiles, and a boost for swift movement. The unique “Solo” mechanic lets you pause time for all but one ship, letting you reposition them individually to dodge bullet-hell patterns or sacrifice ships to save others, creating heartfelt moments of sacrifice and camaraderie. But some levels can feel unfair, overwhelming you with enemies that decimate your squadron, often leaving just three or fewer ships to face tough bosses. This balance of feeling powerful yet vulnerable is compelling, but the frustration builds as you progress through more episodes.

The core of The Art of Flight is the Endless mode, a roguelike campaign where you fight through randomized stages. Other modes spice things up: Defend has you guard a central ship, Pacifist Mode emphasizes dodging without shooting, Slalom challenges you to fly through rings, and Versus Mode pits two-to-four players against each other. While these modes are enjoyable, they don’t match Endless Mode’s depth, and Versus Mode’s multiplayer focus can feel limiting for solo players.

“There are multiple modes to play and check out.”

Multiplayer shines way more than singleplayer

In the game, you face everything from tiny drones to rockets that follow you, with randomized waves and stage orders keeping each run new, thus the rougelike structure. Power-ups like shields or multi-shot upgrades, grabbed during combat, add risk-reward choices which are rare but impactful. You can also fly through rings to boost your score or destory everything around you, which matters when you die, as your final tally, based on enemies and bosses defeated, ranks you on a shared leaderboard.

The Art of Flight supports both controller and keyboard, letting multiple players jump in for local co-op, where each controls separate ships for a genuinely fun experience. If a player loses all ships, teammates can revive them by rescuing captured ones. However, the lack of online co-op limits its multiplayer appeal. It’s not a game you’ll play for hours on end, but one you’ll happily return to now and then. Surprisingly, it captures a cozy, nostalgic arcade vibe with its chill atmosphere, despite lacking high-energy music.

It embraces a minimalist, retro 2D art style with a vibrant sci-fi look, designed for clarity to match its fast-paced gameplay. Small yet distinct ship sprites in neon colors (red, blue, green) stand out against enemy waves, while varied enemy designs and dazzling bullet patterns and explosions steal the spotlight. Still, the sprite work feels a bit basic compared to modern shmups, and the absence of dynamic backgrounds or environmental hazards beyond asteroids misses a chance to boost immersion.

“The Art of Flight supports both controller and keyboard.”

Definitely worth checking out

Let me pause to share what I think The Art of Flight is missing. The game throws you in without clear guidance, there’s no text explaining your goals or what to do. Pacing is all over the place too: one moment you’re cruising calmly, the next you’re swarmed by hundreds of enemies, followed by a weak boss, only for later bosses to spike in difficulty. Most modes are not as fun as the main one. Sure, trying to stay alive as much as possible could be engaging, but every single side mode just misses something special to hook you in.

The Art of Flight is a bold, chaotic arcade shooter that shines with its unique squadron mechanic and local co-op. It’s a budget-friendly game for arcade fans, especially if you’re looking for something to play with friends. However, it lacks the content depth for long-term play, making it ideal for short, nostalgic sessions rather than sustained solo playthroughs or for players craving more complexity.

“Great if you’re looking for a game to play with friends.”

Recenzentski primjerak ustupio izdavač

3.5