Thu Apr 30 2026
- Added a fix to the musical sheet
- Added Italian localization
Merchant of the Skies is a wonderfully unique experience that feels like a cross between 'Animal Crossing' and a heavy-duty economic sim. It has a 'cozy' vibe that makes you want to curl up and play for hours, but it also gives you enough charts and numbers to satisfy your inner capitalist. Finding a new island with a rare resource you desperately need is a genuine thrill.
The UI transition to mobile is impressively handled; dragging your airship across the clouds feels natural, and the menus are clear and legible. It's the kind of game that rewards curiosity; you never know if the next floating rock will have a giant singing carrot or a high-tech factory. It's imaginative, peaceful, and deeply satisfying to watch your tiny trading enterprise grow into a cloud-spanning empire.
Open-ended trading and exploration gameplay
Deep base-building and automation systems
Customizable airships with different stats
Vibrant, high-quality pixel art
Zen mode for a stress-free experience
Focus on the 'Wood to Charcoal' trade route early on. It's a low-investment cycle that allows you to build enough capital to upgrade your airship's cargo hold and fuel efficiency before tackling the rarer spice trades.
Once you have enough money, start building 'Trade Depots' on resource-rich islands. This allows you to automate the collection of materials, freeing you up to explore the mysterious 'Great Kraken' ruins in the corners of the map.
Yes, you can work toward building your own 'Magnificent Mansion' island, which requires vast amounts of every resource in the game.
I never played the PC version, but the mobile version is such an enjoyable experience. Sound and visuals are pleasant. Mechanics are tight. There’s an air of “I have no idea what I’m doing”, but it’s not a negative. It feels like you’re gifted a world to explore and trade in, figuring out your own way. Cozy. That’s the best way to explain it.
Scratched my mount and blade economy itch. I have not experienced any bugs that others have mentioned.
Very fun game, definitely something to spend a day on, but very short and a little unfocused. Devs seem to be actively working on it. I would definitely say some features seem a little undercooked. This game would benefit from a greater focus on the economy and trade systems, and scrapping some of the leveling systems. The knowledge system seemed kind of pointless. Lots of ship types with little difference except storage capacity. Didn’t see a point in buying the mid level ships since money is fairly simple to come by. Really glad there are no microtransactions. Tons of potential, just needs more depth.
There is basically no tutorial, and the UI is awful even in the beginning trying to figure out what to do. 60 minutes in and finally in a groove, pause to eat dinner, only to reopen the app and be back at the tutorial. All progress lost, apparently there’s no autosave. Do not recommend.
This is in fact one great little game
Fun game. Just like PC version.