PGC NEWS

Airship combat captivated gamers in 2013’s Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, despite the game’s narrative shortcomings. This thrilling gameplay inspired Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed: Rogue and the perpetually delayed Skull and Bones. Now, Thai developer Revolution Industry takes flight with Airship: Kingdoms Adrift, a fantasy airship combat game. Does this debut title soar, or crash and burn?

Exhilarating and Addictive Airship Battles

Airship: Kingdoms Adrift delivers a satisfyingly addictive airship combat experience. The simple yet challenging gameplay avoids the pitfalls of excessive complexity or bullet-hell chaos, offering a refreshing “casual” experience.

Airship Kingdoms Adrift – Ship Combat

Set in a fantastical world where magical springs propel continents skyward, the game evokes the golden age of exploration and trade, but with airships instead of sailing ships. Players design their own airships, balancing firepower, armor, and the mana-powered engines that drive them.

Airship Kingdoms Adrift – Airship Design

This intricate system of trade-offs means no single airship design reigns supreme. Heavy armor and powerful cannons require more powerful engines and consume more mana, impacting maneuverability. This necessitates careful customization for different missions and playstyles. Trading missions, for example, require a different approach than combat encounters.

Airship Kingdoms Adrift – Ship Customization

This constant need for optimization fuels a compelling gameplay loop, pushing players to undertake missions, earn currency, and upgrade their ships with new components. The combat itself feels reminiscent of Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, demanding strategic maneuvering and precise aiming.

Airship Kingdoms Adrift – Combat

Beyond ship customization, crew management adds another layer of depth. Leveling up your crew unlocks new skills, enhancing combat effectiveness. This echoes the progression systems found in games like World of Warships.

Airship Kingdoms Adrift – Crew Management

Combat is fast-paced and thrilling, involving chases, strategic positioning around floating islands, and unleashing a variety of weapons. While more dynamic than traditional airship combat games, the speed adds a layer of challenge, rewarding players who invest in building a well-designed ship and skilled crew.

Airship Kingdoms Adrift – Island Combat

Airship Kingdoms Adrift – Dynamic Combat

Revolution Industry has crafted a compelling core gameplay loop centered around thrilling airship combat. This is a remarkable achievement for a debut title.

Narrative and Mission Design Fall Flat

Unfortunately, Airship: Kingdoms Adrift struggles outside of its core combat. Much like the development woes of Skull and Bones, the game falters in its narrative and mission design.

Airship Kingdoms Adrift – Narrative Issues

Missions are bogged down by lengthy, uninspired dialogue that fails to flesh out the game’s world. Repetitive tasks further dilute the experience, hindering the sense of exploration despite the open-world setting.

Ultimately, while the airship battles are exhilarating, the remaining elements of Airship: Kingdoms Adrift feel underdeveloped, resulting in a mixed experience. The game excels in the skies but remains grounded by its narrative and mission shortcomings.