Learn to Fly
A penguin who has been told he cannot fly, a ramp, and a progress bar that only moves if you buy better equipment.
Light Bringer released Learn to Fly in 2009 and it is the cleanest example of the launcher genre ever made. A penguin slides down a ramp and travels as far as his gear allows. You bank the distance as cash, buy better gliders, rockets and ramps, and try again.
What makes it work is that the upgrades change the physics rather than just the numbers. A glider wants a shallow angle and patience; strapping rockets on wants a steep climb and a hard burn. Each run is thirty seconds, each upgrade visibly changes how the next run feels, and the story goal of breaking through the ice at the end gives the loop an actual ending.
Controls
Arrow keys to adjust pitch in the air. Space or up arrow to fire boosters
Tips
- Keep the nose just above level while gliding. Pointing straight up stalls you and pointing down trades all your height at once.
- Buy acceleration before you buy fuel. Fuel is worthless if you are too slow to stay airborne while you burn it.
- Fire rockets at the top of an arc, not off the ramp. Speed gained high converts into far more distance.