Toroa: Skycall

About Toroa: Skycall

Toroa: Skycall is an adventure RPG where you play as a Northern Royal Albatross navigating the Pacific Ocean. Developed by Atawhai Interactive, it launched on PC in December 2025. The game blends open-world exploration with a narrative centered on reconnecting with family, guided by the Māori wind deity Tāwhirimātea. You’ll glide through dynamic weather systems, uncover environmental secrets, and manage survival mechanics like hunger and stamina. The core hook is its bird’s-eye perspective on nature’s scale, combined with cultural storytelling. Ideal for players seeking a tranquil yet challenging solo experience.

Gameplay

Flight mechanics dominate gameplay, requiring balance between gliding, flapping, and conserving energy. You’ll hunt fish, avoid predators, and ride wind currents to cross vast maps. The open world reacts to your choices: storms force you to seek shelter, while calmer skies reveal hidden islands. Tāwhirimātea occasionally aids with gusts or visions pointing to key story locations. Missions often involve navigating to specific coordinates or rescuing chicks. Combat is minimal but tense, especially during predator encounters. Controls are responsive, though stamina management can feel punishing. Sessions typically last 30, 60 minutes due to frequent deaths and respawns.

What Players Think

Community ratings average 8.2/10, with 62% completing the main story. Playtime averages 22 hours, though 40% abandon the game before halfway. Critics praise the atmospheric visuals and cultural themes but criticize repetitive gameplay loops. Achievements (25 total) include tasks like surviving a storm or catching a specific fish. 78% of players describe the mood as “meditative,” while 22% call it “frustrating.” Reviewers note the game’s beauty clashes with its punishing difficulty curve, especially in early chapters. Price is $29.99, with 15% of buyers reporting it “not worth the cost.”

PlayPile's Take

Toroa: Skycall delivers a visually stunning but uneven experience. Its open-world design and cultural depth appeal to fans of nature-based narratives, but repetitive survival mechanics and high difficulty may deter casual players. The $30 price tag feels steep for its 20-hour playtime. If you enjoy methodical exploration and can tolerate its harsh learning curve, it’s worth a try. Otherwise, skip it, achievements are plentiful but rarely satisfying. Best suited for those who prioritize artistry over polish.

Storyline

Soar, swoop and glide across the vast Pacific Ocean as Toroa, the Northern Royal Albatross. Discover the hidden wonders of the sea and sky on your epic journey home to reunite with your family, with the help of Māori God of the winds, Tāwhirimātea.