Learn to Fly

Learn to Fly is a dowdy and uninspiring game, held together by a dowdy and uninspiring core of gameplay that fails to replicate the entertainment value of any of the games it's trying to ape.

From the dull backdrops to the floppy, aimless controls and the less-than charming cartoon sprites, everything about the game seems designed to send you into a bored stupor.

And it's not helped by the repetitive nature of the first hour of play. Things brighten up a little after that, but it's unlikely you're going to be interested enough to stick around and see things through.

The game tells the story of a penguin who decides to prove naysayers wrong and show that its species can fly. It does this by sliding down a ramp and skimming itself off the sea. This is not flight, and if you could point that out to the penguin everyone could end their misery.

Each pointless attempt earns you a few measly bucks. You can spend these on extending your ramp, smoothing your feathers, and sorting out your wind resistance so you can go farther next time.

You need to twist in the air to achieve the best speeds, tapping or tilting depending on your preference, and making sure you skim over the water at the right angle. It's either that or flop into the icy brine and start over.

It's all very dull, and even when you've made enough cash to buy jet packs and other contraptions to speed you on your way the whole game just trundles towards no particular end, chucking achievement unlocks at you to try and entice you to push on.

In the end Learn to Fly just isn't very interesting. Your first impression of a game devoid of any real style is spot on, and once you've navigated the ugly menus and swooped down the boring ramp for the sixth time you'll have seen everything it has to offer.

For something that should be a quick-fire arcade blast to be so yawn-worthy is nigh on unforgivable, so do yourself a favour and don't forgive this tiresome mess of a game.