Skies above the Great War

Skies above the Great War is a combination of a plane shooter and a grand strategy game. It was developed by Puntigames, an indie Austrian studio known for Roma Invicta.

Plot

Skies above the Great War is set during World War I, on its Western Front. We play as an air force commander on the chosen side of the conflict.

Mechanics

Skies above the Great War is set on a huge map, covering an area of 10,000 square kilometers. The situation on the front is simulated in real time, meaning our actions and choices often play a major role.

The gameplay consists of two main layers. The first is strategy, recruiting pilots, assigning them to aircraft and airports, then sending them on various missions. These involve recon, patrols, targeted bombing runs and aerial dogfights.

The second is piloting a plane ourselves, taking direct part in the mission. The controls are rather arcadey, but the battles can be challenging, since the planes suffer realistic damage.

Pilots specialize in different areas, making it important to assign correct soldiers to specific missions. We can also train them along the way, letting them take on increasingly difficult missions. Some recruitable pilots are actual real-life aviation aces.

As we progress through the game, we also cooperate with aircraft manufacturers like Fokker and Sopwith, who keep working on new models to turn the tide of war. Planes can also be customized with different pain patterns and insignias.

Technical aspects

Skies above the Great War runs on the Godot engine. The game isn't too impressive graphics-wise, but the visuals fulfill their purpose.