Tori no Hoshi: Aerial Planet begins with Hugo stranded on an aquatic planet. Good thing he has a glider to hop between islands. Unfortunately, Hugo doesn’t have the slightest clue how to fly the thing, which is the set up for a tutorial. A computer program gives the basic instructions. Use the analog stick to guide Hugo, press the R1 button to speed up and the R2 button to brake. Got it.
The first goal is to fly towards a glowing orange dot in the sky. Thinking this should be a piece of cake I tapped the R1 button twice to activate a boost and zoomed towards the dot. Past the dot. Really far away from the dot. Once I passed the goal I had to U-turn and pick up speed again. However, this time I was underneath the goal and since Hugo can’t fly straight up I had to make a second U-turn. The lesson I learned is Tori no Hoshi: Aerial Planet isn’t a game you want to rush through. Guiding Hugo towards his destination at a steady pace with slight analog stick movements is the best way to control the glider.
Once the tutorial ends you’re free to explore the planet without much pressure. Hugo needs to eat, but there aren’t threats like a storm of meteors raining about to collide into the player. You casually trail behind birds, identify them and if you desire rename them.
The entire Tori no Hoshi: Aerial Planet experience is relaxing. Calm music, something that sounds like its from a new age meditation album, pours from the speakers as you watch the virtual sun set. Yes, there is day and night. There are even weather effects like rain to gaze at. Apart from the dark sky, the weather doesn’t seem to affect Hugo’s ability to fly. Maybe it affects the selection of birds.
I wish I had more time to play Tori no Hoshi: Aerial Planet to find out and to fly with a flock of prinnies.
