Aloft

Aloft is a sandbox survival game set in a world of floating islands. It was developed by Astrolabe.

Plot

Aloft is set in a fantasy world ravaged by an eternal hurricane, which has swept numerous islands into the air. Our character must fight for survival on one of these levitating landmasses. In search of answers as to their origin, they must find a way to the eye of the storm, where the ruins of an ancient civilization await.

Mechanics

Aloft supports the first-person and third-person perspectives. The game starts off with creating our character. At first we're limited to a single island, tasked with gathering resources necessary for survival, producing useful equipment and building a base. The latter serves not only as a home, but also as a valuable source of goods (after we turn it into a thriving farm, where we can cultivate land and breed animals). Over time, we can start developing new technologies and various upgrades. Building windmills and connecting them to our machines lets us use the wind to automate certain processes. That's not all, as once we're done exploiting our initial island, we must start moving towards more complex goals.

In order to reach neighborign lands, we must create sails and mechanisms to control them, turning our island mobile. While traveling, we must pay attention to the strength of the wind, its direction and air currents (adjusting the sails' size and position in advance). We must also be careful, as many islands are home to a dangerous infection, covering plants and animals with mysterious fungi; it turns the fauna aggressive and savage. We must arm ourselves to stay alive; as we progress, we can also start developing cures to various forms of the infection, restoring the islands to normal. This grants us new companions, farm animals, crops and resources. Islands can also be connected through bridges and ziplines, making movement between them easier.

Our ultimate goal is reaching the center of the storm. The task is not easy, as the rampaging winds sweep up sharp rocks and toxic spores, the area is extremely cold and plagued by lightning strikes. The player must be absolutely ready before embarking there.

Game modes

Aloft supports singleplayer and co-op for up to eight people. The game also features an editor, in which we can create our own islands and share them with friends.

Technical aspects

Aloft features appealing, cartoonish, colorful visuals.