How it plays
The pilot and co-pilot each roll four dice behind their screens. Each round begins with a discussion, but never about the numbers on the dice; after that, there is silence until the end of the round. Taking turns, each places a die in the cockpit. At the controls, the difference between the dice tilts the plane; at the engines, the sum determines the speed; there are also the radio, landing gear, flaps and brakes. The plane has only landed if it is level, the landing gear and flaps are extended, the approach path is clear and the brakes are sufficient. There are 21 scenarios that bring wind, ice or kerosene leaks.
What it can help develop
Because players are not allowed to talk about the numbers on the dice, every die placed becomes a message. Which one the other player puts where reveals something about their options, and this has to be read (perspective-taking). Planning ahead comes in too: what is urgent, and what can wait? Anyone who extends the flaps too early does not get as far at the same speed. Staying silent and deliberately letting the partner go first calls for impulse control.
Especially suitable for
- Children from age 10 who enjoy puzzling and planning
- Parent-and-child pairs or siblings as a regular team
- Children who would rather cooperate than compete
Less suitable for
- Groups of three or more people
- Children who find silence or failing together hard to bear
Our verdict
Sky Team is a worthwhile choice for parent-and-child pairs and siblings from age 10 who enjoy puzzling things out together: pilot and co-pilot pursue one goal, and every die placed becomes a message. The winner of the Spiel des Jahres 2024 impresses with short games and an intense atmosphere. Its limitations are the fixed line-up of exactly two people, the silence, which can be hard to bear, components that are awkward to handle and some luck of the dice.
Getting started
- Assemble the cockpit with the double-sided stickers before your first game night, as this is described as laborious at first.
- Start with the first scenario, Montréal; the 21 airport missions in total differ in difficulty, and the obstacles include wind, ice and kerosene leaks.
- Do not extend the flaps too early, because otherwise the plane does not get as far at the same speed.
In detail
Variants and player count
According to KOSMOS, Sky Team is a game for exactly 2 people from age 10, and the publisher gives the playing time as 20 minutes. According to KOSMOS, it contains 21 airport missions of varying difficulty; the publisher Le Scorpion Masqué names 11 airports and 21 scenarios with obstacles such as wind, kerosene leaks, traffic and ice.
What reviewers say
Sky Team won the Spiel des Jahres 2024 and came second in the Deutscher Spiele Preis 2024, behind “Mischwald”. According to the jury, the game impresses in its gameplay, atmosphere and theme; after a failed landing, players want to take off again straight away, and the roles coordinate better without words. Rezensionen für Millionen calls the communication through placing dice original, but criticizes small, fiddly components that slip out of place and sees a dice game with chance. Reich der Spiele finds assembling the cockpit with double-sided stickers laborious at first and the silence hard to keep up; according to the review, younger children with gaming experience also enjoyed playing. The website gamesweplay.de finds that the ban on talking suits the theme, praises the varied airports and writes that the game is fun even without an interest in flying.
How it compares
Pandemic (from age 8, 2 to 4 people, about 45 minutes) and Paleo (from age 10, 2 to 4 people, about 60 minutes) share with Sky Team the skill areas of cooperation as well as logic and planning. Sky Team needs exactly two people and takes about 15 to 20 minutes. In Pandemic, everyone has a say and the active player decides; in Paleo, the group consults continually; in Sky Team, players only discuss things at the start of each round, never the numbers on the dice. Sky Team suits children from age 10 who enjoy puzzling and planning, and parent-and-child pairs or siblings as a regular team. Sky Team is less suited to groups of three or more people and to children who find silence or failing together hard to bear.
Sources
- Spiel des Jahres: Sky Team (jury, in German)
- KOSMOS: Sky Team (product page, in German)
- KOSMOS: Sky Team rules (PDF, in German)
- Le Scorpion Masqué: Sky Team (publisher’s page)
- Wikipedia (German): Deutscher Spielepreis
- Rezensionen für Millionen: review (in German)
- Reich der Spiele: review (in German)
- gamesweplay.de: review (in German)
Frequently asked questions
What age is Sky Team suitable for?
Sky Team is recommended from age 10. A good sign is when the child enjoys planning several steps ahead and treats a failed attempt as a shared matter; anyone who finds silence and losing together difficult will find it harder.
How long does a game take and how many people can play?
A game takes about 15 to 20 minutes. The game is for exactly 2 people, who play together rather than against each other; the game is not designed for groups of three or more.
What skills can Sky Team help develop?
Sky Team can help develop cooperation as well as logic and planning. A die placed replaces conversation, because the other player has to read from its position what is possible; at the same time, players have to plan what needs to be done first during the approach.
Are players allowed to discuss their moves?
Only at the start of each round, and even then without a word about the numbers on the dice. After that, there is silence until the end of the round, so that only the dice, placed in turn, do the talking.
