Off the AppStore: Lottie's Sky Run cuteness already has you

• An axolotl takes exercise to the sky's limit!
• Run and gun through cuteness and color
• The challenge is ready to grab you harder than expected

Welcome to Off The AppStore, a weekly feature with a twist. Namely, that while these - as with all the games we cover here - are games that you can play on your phone, they're ones that operate outside of the realms of the big two ways to play: The Google Play Store and the Apple AppStore.

That means that there might be a bit of work required in downloading alternative AppStores or APKs, or that the games can simply be played in your phone browser. We'll make sure to detail that for each game though. Anyway, read on to find a new game or experience to play Off The AppStore.

Most times in our lives, we're not ready. We may think that we're ready, but that's just something we'll tell ourselves to keep up our confidence. The truth is that we're never really prepared for something until we're right in the middle of it. There are jobs, activities, and experiences that we train for, but often, we must learn about the actual challenge by going through it. This is what I experienced when playing Lottie's Sky Run. The Lotls have crafted something powerful and dangerous that will seek out the toughest to try and break their confidence with a megaton hammer.

Lottie's Sky Run sounds nice and cute, which is what will pull you in. There's a colourful, stylised world with some of the cutest creatures you could encounter. Even the spikey enemies look like they could use a massive hug as they float through the sky. The world is rounded and vibrant to make you think that everything's okay, and you don't need to worry about anything. Sadly, there is a problem, and Lottie the axolotl has decided to fix it. While patrolling the floating islands, as you do, Lottie notices that a lot of floating creatures are behaving oddly and aggressively.

However, Lottie has prepared for this eventuality by building a handheld cannon with infinite bubble ammo. All that Lottie can do is run across the sky and unleash her bubbly cannon against the floating menace. Although she wears a smile on her face, she'll be in great peril if any of their footing slips. Not only are there floating enemies that need to be popped, but a world of candy-themed levels that Lottie will need to lick themself through (though not literally). They'll also have to be careful not to fall, as axolotls are not designed to stay airborne for long.

Lottie's looks sweet, but here comes the hard shell to the chewy centre: It's hard. Lottie's perspective limits their perspective of enemies ahead and above. Their jumping is fast and direct, which means you must plan them carefully to move between platforms. The cannon does have infinite ammo, but the floating enemies are working against you to eat through your limited hearts. If you ever hope to reach the GIANT hearts, you must take Lottie safely across the skyland and burst the bubble of every foe.

You can try out Lottie's Sky Run on its itch.io page!