Sky: Children of the Light review

Sky: Children of the Light is the gentlest adventure on this list and the highest-rated big game, at 4.8 out of 5 from 268,000 US App Store ratings. thatgamecompany describes it as a peaceful social adventure: you explore seven hand-crafted areas, solve light puzzles and find your way home alongside other players. Meeting people happens through small gestures such as lighting someone's candle or taking their hand. The listing says the game has no ads and that anything you can buy is cosmetic, which makes it one of the fairest free games here. It supports cross-platform play and game controllers, and its listed awards include Apple's Mobile Game of the Year. It ranks second because the story is told without words and there is less to do for players who want combat or a long quest log. Purchases start at $4.99 for the Starter Pack, and the Season Pass is $9.99.

Who it is for

Players who want a calm, social exploration game with no combat focus and no ads

Price

Free to play; in-app purchases start at $4.99 on the US App Store.

Starter Pack $4.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Seven hand-crafted areas to explore with gentle puzzles
• Meet other players through gestures, candles and holding hands
• Daily content and candles you earn by playing
• Cross-platform play with friends
• Controller support with PlayStation, Xbox or MFi controllers

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 268K ratings on the US App Store
• Strength: The developer says it has no ads and anything you can buy is cosmetic
• Strength: Apple Mobile Game of the Year among its listed awards
• Weakness: Paid items start at $4.99, with no smaller purchase listed
• Weakness: Social play with strangers includes messaging and user-generated content
• Weakness: A 3 GB download

Key facts

• Developer: thatgamecompany
• Price: Free, in-app purchases from $4.99
• App Store rating: 4.8 out of 5, 268K ratings
• Download size: 3 GB
• Age rating: 13+

Where it ranks

Sky: Children of the Light is No. 2 in our Best Free Adventure Games verdict.