The feeling of soaring through the sky is one that is perfectly encapsulated by the game Laya’s Horizon. The game was released in 2022 by Snowman Games and Netflix. It requires an active Netflix subscription to play. This game has captured my attention because of its simple art style, low entry point and fast-paced gameplay.
The choice by Snowman to go with a low-poly art style is both a technical and aesthetic one. A low-poly world is much easier to render than a photo-realistic one, so the massive map can be rendered with ease even on smartphones. It also works as an aesthetic choice. The story of the game is simplistic and a bit hokey, as are the characters. The choice to go with the low-poly art style just leans into the characterization, making the game very cozy and relaxing. Then comes the flying.
The control scheme is unique in flying games I have played because it does not simplify the movement to one joystick as is so often done. Instead, it takes the unique approach of using the control of the two arms of the wingsuit as the determinant of direction. While this is more confusing than a simple joystick, it allows for mastery and movements that could never be done with that singular joystick. The control scheme greatly increases immersion as well, instead of the feeling of controlling a camera with two degrees of freedom, the controls allow for mastery and control that encapsulate the skill and precision required to fly.
This game also sets the entry point relatively low, as the entire game adheres to a single control scheme involving two joysticks and four main variations in objectives, allowing anyone to pick it up.
The thing that makes this game stand out is that even though it is exceptionally simple, it remains fun for months and years. The mastery bar is impossibly high, and there is an expansive wealth of landmarks and challenges across the map. Even after finishing the main story, the game can remain engaging, going back to beat previous records in races, or flying a challenging route that has some cool landmarks in it.
Other games have this replayability and depth, but this game also has a completely unintentional, but almost perfectly done adaptive difficulty. The game can be played from safely soaring high, looking at the train below or weaving and dodging market carts as racing inches from the ground, trying not to crash. Because of its open-world nature, the difficulty is largely up to the player, allowing for casual playing while just trying to pass the time or intense gaming where the slightest misstep means having to restart.
In terms of missions there is a wide variety. Races are fast and often difficult. Spark runs involve just doing any trick and landing at a destination. There are also follow me missions that involve following some path. Each race, spark run or following me is unique and poses new challenges that keep the game interesting.
Playing the game with no objective can be fun as well, just gliding down the slopes of the island, taking in the varied map and unlocking new capes by doing specific objectives.
Even after playing this game for the better part of three years and completing it 100% twice, I still love it and it brings me joy. Netflix funded a game that, in my opinion, strikes the perfect balance of fun storytelling, beautiful visuals and challenging gameplay to keep it engaging and entertaining for just about anyone.
