Wild Blue Skies Review – Bombs Away!
Official Score
Overall - 85%
85%
While Wild Blue Skies proudly wears its on-rails inspiration on its sleeve, this adventure with the Blue Bombers is well worth taking flight.
For those who dream of blue, blue skies, Chuhai Labs and Balor Games’ on-rails shooter Wild Blue Skies is looking to the “stars” as they channel the energy of a certain “fox.”
While it wears its inspiration on its sleeve, should players join the Blue Bombers for their own journey?
Wild Blue Skies Review – Bombs Away!
Right off the bat, it’s clear to see Wild Blue Skies is cut from the same cloth as Star Fox – furry fighters and all.
Never fear; Wild Blue Skies’ controls and overall presentation masterfully capture the on-rails action that put the Star Fox series on Andross’ map.
It’s Grimclaw’s map now.
With players taking control of Blue Bombers Bowie, Roe, Chuck, and Thorne as they send Grimclaw packing, Wild Blue Skies’ tight and responsive controls ensure this mission is a successful one.
Locking onto targets, braking and boosting, doing “dodge” rolls to deflect enemy shots, and entering Free Flight for a different perspective ensure’s one’s shot in Wild Blue Skies is always true and one’s crew members are safe.
Wild Blue Skies’ arcade roots are proudly on display, encouraging mastery of its many levels.
One thing Wild Blue Skies does especially well is its level design. Finding the proper lock-on targets (which include “The Prowlers”), knowing boss patterns, and even knowing the right waterfalls to go under (that’s there too!) encourages repeat runs and “gitting good.”
Wild Blue Skies’ insistence on mastery always eggs players on, being fair while still encouraging growth – just how we remembered it.
On that same note, the alternate paths we so love are present and accounted for in Wild Blue Skies. That being said, this title also features collectible Ribbons for obtaining High Scores across its diverse Arctic Shelters, Canyons, Temples, and Hurricanes.
Taking a page from the great Rare’s playbook, Wild Blue Skies also features four hidden “W-I-L-D” letters in each mission to encourage discovery – leave no crate unblasted!
The presentation of Wild Blue Skies also mastered the assignment. Sure, lines are filled with camp and dad jokes galore (after our own heart!), but voice acting is filled with sheer charm and passion. Major shoutout to Professional Voice Actor Jonah Scott, who seals the deal at the leader of the bunch Bowie Stray!
There is some “fowl play” with stolen lines, sure, but Wild Blue Skies pays tribute in its own way, right? Credit where credit’s due – Wild Blue Skies does manage to have a distinct personality all its own.
While Wild Blue Skies proudly wears its on-rails inspiration on its sleeve, this adventure with the Blue Bombers is well worth taking flight.
Wild Blue Skies Review
Reviewed On: PC (A digital code was provided)
Release Date: August 13, 2026
Platforms: PC (via Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Developer: Chuhai Labs
Publisher: Balor Games
Aggregate Scores: Metacritic
Review Policy | Scoring Policy | Meet the Reviewer
Whether taking on Daredevils or tapping into its deep customization elements, Hot Wheels: Infinite Rush and its vast open world truly lets players race beyond the track.
While The Blood of Dawnwalker and its dark fantasy vampire setting is well worth exploring, best wait for a few patches before exploring its vast open world.
The way of the samurai shines bright in Onimusha: Way of the Sword, marking a triumphant return for Capcom’s long-running action RPG series.
Star Wars Zero Company is, simply put, the greatest tactics game in the galaxy.
Continue Reading Star Wars Zero Company is the Chosen One of the Tactics Genre – Review
Those fiending for the start of the NFL season will enjoy Madden NFL 27, but this title can still use a few patches to iron out its balancing.
While there is something special brewing in The Sinking City 2, the development team simply needed more time with this release.
