An exclusive to Netflix Games, Laya’s Horizon is from the Toronto-based Snowman indie devs responsible for the gorgeous Alto games (see the excellent Alto Collection).
This launched in May 2023 and is a mobile game only. In the style of its beautiful previous games, here we have an endless flyer. It’s a relaxing game anyone can pick up and play, but first you must master its flying mechanics. It’s a fun one.
Take to the Smartphone Skies in Laya’s Horizon
Snowman began work on this in 2018 as a departure from the 2D style of the Alto games. Laya’s Horizon is set in an open 3D world environment, but still uses the gameplay mechanics from the studio’s first titles.
It’s a bit like the Nintendo 64’s Pilotwings 64 (1996). You must guide Laya around a beautiful island with an impressive array of flight-based abilities, all whilst levelling and achieving high scores.
The difference to the N64 game is this uses significant amounts of touchscreen controls.
Now, that’ll be a bit of a “HUZZAH!” or “bloody hell…” type of moment for players. Snowman has tried very hard to make the touchscreen element work well, yet it’s not always ideal (your thumbs/fingers are constantly in the way of the screen, often totally blocking it for some of Laya’s control requirements). For the most part, though, it works well.
The flying mechanics can be genuinely pretty exhilarating.
Yes, then, that takes a bit of getting used to. It’s a quibble but not a major one, as once you’re used to that side then Laya’s Horizon is a breezy time of it. With eident nods to Nintendo’s Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and all that.
It’s a free roaming game when you get into it. But there’s a lot going on around that, with time trial missions, various other quests, and as you power up Laya you can reach increasing heights.
Full credit to Snowman for vividly creating a genuine feeling of flight (on your mobile).
It’s an immersive game, pretty to look at, and there’s a soothing score to go along with things. It’s dubbed by some reviewers as a mini-masterpiece and we think they’re spot on. Completing the peaceful world of Alto’s Adventure (2015). And then the sand dunes of Alto’s Odyssey (2018). The former being the first mobile game we ever played 10 years ago.
The music group Wobblersound was responsible for the rather charming score.
All very uplifting. Pun intended there.
A fabulous game, then, with the only real downside being you have to get Netflix for access. It’s not available on anything except Netflix and there’s no signs of it coming to anything else.
That’s a shame as we’re only back on Netflix for a month, but we’ll be sure to enjoy this hidden indie gem whilst we’re on the thing.
