Rogue Sky

Airborne games often use tilt controls to simulate the airy bounciness of flight. Rogue Sky goes old skool with a simple two-button method and some equally classic gameplay. The result is a charming diversion.

Rogue Sky begins with a hot-air balloon getting beat down and bullied by its colleagues. With support from a friendly balloon, the hero picks itself up and goes after the mean air bullies.

The somewhat goofy storyline is just an excuse to take flight. The balloon flies north, around storm clouds and other obstacles, trying to clear the level unscathed.

The controls make Rogue Sky both easy to learn and hard to master. There are two buttons: one on the left and one on the right. Tap either to float in that direction. Hold down both to give gas and fly upward.

In later levels you unlock new skills, like tapping a button twice rapidly to fire a projectile.

Dangerous skies

The game begins as an almost mellow cloudsurfing affair – think the equally quirky title DaWindci – but Rogue Sky wastes no time in becoming an arcade-worthy adventure. Mines float in the sky, storm clouds electrocute the balloon, and, eventually, the meaner balloons turn levels into virtual dogfights.

What’s most impressive is that the learning curve manages to challenge you without being frustrating. Each area has five zones that can be conquered in any order, so you can skip a level that’s giving you trouble. And it's chocked full of hidden sections that will give you more health or other perks.