Rolling Sky 2

*This game is only available on the App Store, Nintendo Switch, and Steam.*

## Quote

> "*Run – and jump – for your life: You’ll need quick wits and close control to conquer Rolling Sky 2.*"
> ― Rolling Sky 2
>
>

## Red Dot Reward Description

**Rolling Sky 2** is a 3D run-style gaming app accompanied by music and available for iOS devices.

The basic idea was to create a musical film that users can play with, while also presenting stunning PC-level graphics and an impressive soundtrack based on original studio recordings of multiple genres. Each level describes an engaging story which connects players with the animated world.

At the touch of a finger they can drag the character, follow the music’s rhythm and try to avoid the obstacles encountered. Different gameplay and distinct challenges are waiting in the various scenes and levels.

## Reception

The game received mostly positive reviews, mostly praising the graphics. However, the way ads were implemented in the “best experience” UI got universally negative reception. Other criticisms include the way levels were unlocked (via gems, which was cited to be hard to get many of), the decision to make the controllable characters humanoids instead of balls & other objects, & the lack of multiple levels. As if this writing, it has a 4.7 rating on the App Store.

Most of the above criticisms were addressed to and patched in versions 1.2.0 and 1.2.1. However, due to some players complaining about the new UI, Cheetah Mobile reverted the game back to version 1.1.1, which made many players angry.

The game won the Red Dot Reward for game design.

## Trivia

* The name is rather strange, as you rarely roll with your human adventurers. Instead, you mostly just run.
* This game was actually 2 apps: the first version was called Rolling Dream & features circular icons, an unreleased “Characters” screen, Trials, Percentage Goals, and Stars for currency. The current app is called Rolling Sky 2.
* Even though it was removed from Google Play due to Cheetah Mobile committing ad fraud, this game is currently back as ***Rolling Sky Dream Run***. It was published by Maryjane-Dev and released on May 27, 2020.
	+ A bootleg, ***Magic Journey***, is published by Bitqueen Inc and released on Oct 16, 2020. It is available for both App Store and Google Play in some countries. However, not only did it bring back the wizard update, but Ronin (called "Samurai" in-game for some reason) is also one of the playable levels in the application.
* When a character dies, the revival screens says “Keep Running”. However, it used to say “Save Me!!!” instead. The reason for this change was unknown.
* According to an interview, the game was inspired by the Disney movie Fantasia.
* This game has some parallels to another CheetahMobile game, Dancing Line;
	+ Both games used to have Stars as currency, up until they were replaced with Gems instead.
	+ Both are successors to another game (Rolling Sky and Through The Fog!, respectively)
	+ Rolling Sky 2 sells itself as a "playable animated/anime movie". Dancing Line says that it's a "playable music video".
	+ Both games claim that they have "Unique Epic Levels".
	+ Both games have Egypt-themed levels. Rolling Sky 2 has Pharaohs and Death Book, while Dancing Line has The Exodus and The Cathedral (Rock Remix).
		- Death Book and The Cathedral (Rock Remix) even share Anubis statues and sandworms!
	+ Both have magical clothing as characters (The Wizard and the Magic Cloak).
* The bind pose of choice for this game is the A-pose.