Soaring High: A Comprehensive Guide to Buying Games in Sky: Children of the Light

Sky: Children of the Light, developed by thatgamecompany, is a breathtaking social adventure game renowned for its stunning visuals, enchanting music, and deeply emotional gameplay. Unlike many free-to-play games laden with aggressive monetization, Sky offers a unique blend of free content and optional in-app purchases that enhance the experience without feeling compulsory. For new players, navigating the in-game purchasing system might seem a little daunting. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about buying games and items in Sky: Children of the Light.

Understanding the In-Game Economy

Before diving into the purchasing process, it’s crucial to understand Sky’s unique in-game economy. The game features several different types of currencies, each with its own purpose and method of acquisition.

* **Candles:** These are the primary currency in Sky. You earn Candles by exploring realms, collecting light from winged lights and dark plants, and completing daily quests. Candles are used to unlock friendships, purchase cosmetics from Spirits, and progress through the main storyline.

* **Hearts:** Hearts are earned by gifting light to friends. Sending light (a small star) costs one Candle and rewards the recipient with a fraction of a Heart. When they reciprocate, you both receive a Heart. Hearts are used to purchase cosmetics, upgrade friendships, and unlock certain areas.

* **Ascended Candles:** These special candles are earned by completing Eden, Sky’s challenging end-game area. Ascended Candles are used to purchase Wing Buffs from Spirits, permanently increasing your Winged Light capacity.

* **Seasonal Candles:** These candles are earned during specific in-game seasons. They are used to purchase exclusive seasonal items and cosmetics from Seasonal Spirits.

* **Real-Money Purchases:** While Sky is fundamentally free-to-play, you can directly purchase certain in-game items using real money. These purchases typically include bundles of Candles, seasonal adventure passes, and specific cosmetic items.

## What Can You Buy in Sky?

Sky offers a wide variety of purchasable items, catering to different player preferences. Here’s a breakdown of the main categories:

* **Cosmetics:** This is the most common type of purchase. Cosmetics allow you to customize your character’s appearance, including hairstyles, masks, capes, outfits, and accessories. They can be purchased from Spirits, seasonal events, or directly from the in-game store.

* **Wing Buffs:** These are permanent upgrades that increase your Winged Light capacity, allowing you to fly higher and longer. Wing Buffs are purchased from Spirits using Ascended Candles after completing Eden.

* **Adventure Passes:** During seasonal events, you can purchase an Adventure Pass, which unlocks access to premium seasonal rewards. These rewards often include exclusive cosmetics and extra Seasonal Candles.

* **Candle Bundles:** If you’re short on Candles, you can purchase bundles of varying sizes using real money. This can be useful for unlocking friendships, purchasing limited-time items, or progressing through the story more quickly.

* **Music Sheets/Instruments:** Certain Spirits and events offer the ability to purchase music sheets or instruments, allowing you to play music in the game.

* **Game Packages/Bundles:** Periodically, the game offers bundles containing various items such as candles, cosmetics, and hearts at a discounted price. These bundles can be a cost-effective way to acquire multiple items at once.

## Step-by-Step Guide to Buying Items in Sky

Now, let’s walk through the process of buying items in Sky: Children of the Light. The exact steps may vary slightly depending on the platform you’re playing on (iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation), but the general principles remain the same.

**1. Identifying What You Want to Buy**

Before making a purchase, take some time to explore the game and identify what you want. Browse the Spirits in each realm, check the in-game store (accessible from the main menu), and see what’s available during seasonal events. Consider what aspects of the game you enjoy most. Are you a collector of cosmetics? Do you want to maximize your flying ability? Or are you focused on unlocking friendships and progressing through the story? Knowing your priorities will help you make informed purchasing decisions.

**2. Checking Your Currency Balance**

Once you’ve decided what you want to buy, check your currency balance to make sure you have enough Candles, Hearts, Ascended Candles, or Seasonal Candles. Your current balance is displayed at the top of the screen in the main menu and in various in-game shops.

**3. Locating the Item or Spirit**

The next step is to locate the item or Spirit you want to purchase from. This might involve traveling to a specific realm, finding a particular Spirit, or accessing the in-game store.

* **Spirits:** Spirits are found throughout the realms of Sky. They are typically located at the end of their respective memory sequences. Once you’ve completed a Spirit’s memory, you can return to them at their location to purchase cosmetics and other items. To access the Spirit’s shop, interact with the Spirit by tapping or clicking on them.

* **Seasonal Spirits:** During seasonal events, Seasonal Spirits appear in the realms. These Spirits offer unique seasonal items and cosmetics. Their locations are usually marked on the map.

* **In-Game Store:** The in-game store is accessible from the main menu. It offers a variety of items for purchase, including Candle bundles, Adventure Passes, and specific cosmetic items. To access the store, tap or click on the “Shop” icon in the main menu.

**4. Interacting with the Spirit or Store**

Once you’ve located the Spirit or accessed the in-game store, interact with it to open the shop interface. This will display a list of available items and their corresponding prices.

**5. Selecting the Item and Reviewing the Price**

Browse the available items and select the one you want to purchase. Make sure to carefully review the price before proceeding. The price will be displayed in the appropriate currency (Candles, Hearts, Ascended Candles, Seasonal Candles, or real money).

**6. Confirming the Purchase**

After selecting the item and reviewing the price, you’ll be prompted to confirm the purchase. This is an important step, as it prevents accidental purchases. Depending on the item and platform, you may need to tap or click a button labeled “Purchase,” “Buy,” or “Confirm.”

* **For Candle, Heart, Ascended Candle, and Seasonal Candle Purchases:** A confirmation window will appear, displaying the item name, price, and your current currency balance. Double-check the information before confirming the purchase.

* **For Real-Money Purchases:** If you’re purchasing an item with real money, you’ll be directed to your platform’s app store (e.g., Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Store) to complete the transaction. You’ll need to enter your password or use biometric authentication to authorize the purchase.

**7. Enjoying Your New Item**

Once the purchase is complete, the item will be added to your inventory. You can then equip it, use it, or gift it to a friend, depending on the item’s purpose. Congratulations on your new acquisition!

## Purchasing with Real Money: A Closer Look

While Sky is designed to be enjoyable without spending any money, purchasing Candle bundles or Adventure Passes can provide a boost and unlock exclusive content. Here’s a more detailed look at the process of making real-money purchases:

**1. Accessing the In-Game Store**

As mentioned earlier, the in-game store is accessible from the main menu. Tap or click on the “Shop” icon to open the store.

**2. Browsing Available Bundles and Passes**

The store displays a variety of Candle bundles and Adventure Passes. Each bundle contains a different amount of Candles and is priced accordingly. Adventure Passes unlock access to premium seasonal rewards.

**3. Selecting a Bundle or Pass**

Choose the bundle or pass that best suits your needs and budget. Consider how many Candles you need and whether you want access to the exclusive seasonal rewards offered by an Adventure Pass.

**4. Proceeding to the App Store**

After selecting a bundle or pass, you’ll be redirected to your platform’s app store (e.g., Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Store). This is where you’ll complete the transaction using your linked payment method.

**5. Authenticating the Purchase**

You’ll need to authenticate the purchase using your password, fingerprint, or facial recognition, depending on your platform’s security settings.

**6. Completing the Transaction**

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the transaction. Once the purchase is successful, you’ll receive a confirmation message, and the Candles or Adventure Pass will be added to your account.

**7. Returning to the Game**

After completing the transaction in the app store, you’ll be automatically returned to the game. The purchased Candles will be immediately available for use.

## Tips for Making Smart Purchases in Sky

To make the most of your purchases in Sky: Children of the Light, consider these tips:

* **Prioritize Wing Buffs:** If you’re looking to improve your gameplay experience, prioritize purchasing Wing Buffs from Spirits. These permanent upgrades will significantly enhance your flying ability.

* **Consider Adventure Passes:** If you enjoy seasonal events, an Adventure Pass can be a worthwhile investment. It unlocks access to a wealth of exclusive rewards and can help you earn Seasonal Candles more quickly.

* **Shop Around:** Before making a purchase, take the time to browse all available options. Compare prices and consider what items will provide the most value for you.

* **Be Mindful of Limited-Time Offers:** Sky often features limited-time offers on cosmetic items and Candle bundles. Keep an eye out for these deals, as they can save you money.

* **Set a Budget:** If you’re planning to spend money on Sky, set a budget beforehand and stick to it. This will help you avoid overspending.

* **Earn Candles for Free:** Remember that you can earn Candles for free by exploring realms, collecting light, and completing daily quests. Don’t feel pressured to spend money if you don’t want to. The game is designed to be enjoyable without making any purchases.

* **Consider Shared Adventure:** If you have friends who play, consider purchasing a shared adventure pass. It is more cost effective and everyone in the group benefits.

## Gifting Items to Friends

Sky encourages social interaction, and gifting items to friends is a key part of the experience. Here’s how to gift items in Sky:

* **Friendship Level:** You need to be at a certain friendship level with another player to gift them items. The required level varies depending on the item you want to gift. Higher-level friendships require more Candles to unlock.

* **Gifting Interface:** Once you’ve reached the required friendship level, you can access the gifting interface by interacting with your friend in the game. The interface will display a list of items that you can gift.

* **Selecting the Item and Confirming the Gift:** Choose the item you want to gift and confirm the gift. The item will be deducted from your inventory, and your friend will receive it.

* **Items that can be gifted:** Generally, you can gift cosmetics and hearts but certain items obtained via real-money purchase may not be giftable. Check the item description or the gifting interface to confirm.

## Troubleshooting Purchase Issues

Occasionally, you may encounter issues when making purchases in Sky. Here are some common problems and how to troubleshoot them:

* **Purchase Not Processed:** If your purchase isn’t processed correctly, check your internet connection and try again. You can also try restarting the game or your device.

* **Missing Items:** If you purchased an item but it’s not showing up in your inventory, wait a few minutes and check again. Sometimes, it takes a little while for the item to appear. If it’s still missing after a while, contact Sky’s customer support.

* **Payment Issues:** If you’re having trouble with your payment method, contact your platform’s app store (e.g., Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Store) for assistance.

* **Game Crashing during purchase:** This is rare, but if it happens, check your device storage and close any unnecessary apps. A fresh install can resolve most crashing issues.

## Contacting Support

If you’re unable to resolve a purchase issue on your own, contact Sky’s customer support. You can find their contact information on the thatgamecompany website or in the game’s settings menu.

## Conclusion

Buying games and items in Sky: Children of the Light is a straightforward process, but it’s important to understand the game’s unique economy and be mindful of your spending habits. By following the steps outlined in this guide and considering the tips provided, you can make informed purchasing decisions and enhance your Sky experience. Remember to prioritize Wing Buffs, shop around for the best deals, and don’t be afraid to earn Candles for free. Most importantly, enjoy the beautiful and immersive world of Sky!