There are tears in my eyes minutes after starting Sayonara Wild Hearts. Support Sayonara Wild Hearts by voting for it in the Golden Joystick Awards.The effects used are catchy and fit the tone too, but the soundtrack absolutely steals the show. From the electronic melancholy of “Begin Again”, to the unsettling crescendos of “Dead of Night” and the bombastic finale “Wild Hearts Never Die”, it’s all stellar. Thankfully, the soundtrack is perhaps one of the best of its generation, spanning a wide range of pop styles that feel brilliantly attuned to each stage’s personality – and damn fine to listen to separately. Before launch, Simogo described the game as a “pop album video game”, which sets a certain expectation when it comes to the music. Best of all, it runs at a consistent 60fps, ensuring the action never feels choppy. Characters look distinct and are wonderfully animated, revealing an emotional depth required for the story. Visually, the minimalist neon aesthetic feels perfectly attuned to the arcade action, whether it’s the darker hues of the forest section or the bright pink of chasing the Dancing Devils, it looks superb. The presentation is perhaps the most striking part of Sayonara Wild Hearts – both sight and sound are a delight. No matter how you’re playing Sayonara Wild Hearts, it’s a fast-paced and addictive joy, and aside from a few issues with controls sometimes spoiling a run, it keeps you engrossed. For those less patient, you can skip segments if you repeatedly die, though you’ll lose out on potential points. Each arcan a usually concludes in a boss of sorts, requiring dexterity and skill to overcome without dying. A plethora of stages also feature QTEs, where better timing rewards more points. Gameplay shifts at times, including later stages including rail-shooter style aiming. Some levels change perspective, such as riding in first-person. The Dancing Devils, for example, see you racing around busy streets before confronting each of the trio individually while dodging fireballs and other hazards. Each arcana you target features a unique motif, backstory and gameplay setup. While each level’s general setup is the same, how you play often differs drastically. Both feel like great ways to re-experience the game. Both see you replaying the entire game in one sitting, only the latter sees death instantly ending your session. Earning all golds and completing the game unlocks Album Arcade and Yolo Arcade. But this fast-paced nature never feels rushed, instead offering incentives to return to levels to earn the coveted Gold medals and seek out missed Diamonds. Stages are often brisk, taking minutes to complete, and truthfully you could beat the entire game in around an hour. Larger Hearts are worth even more points, while also gifting a speed boost, and collectible Diamonds tucked in each stage unlock more content. This system feels immensely rewarding, as collecting hearts adds an extra point to their value and rewards consistent collecting and hazard perception, as bails result in the multiplier being reset. Constantly on the move, be it via motorcycle or other means, your overriding goal is to collect as many hearts as possible while avoiding collisions. This sets the stage for 23 levels of music-driven gameplay. Some may clamour for more dialogue and scenes, but the occasional narration from Queen Latifah feels well placed and engaging. It’s an interesting, bittersweet look at how one’s happiness can be crushed and the challenging, yet hopeful process of overcoming this sadness. Led into the realm by said heroine, taking the form of a butterfly, it leaves this young woman as the only hope for the realm as she takes on Little Death and her many allies. However, before their passing, a heroine is created from a broken heart, which ties into a young woman in the present who suffered an unknown form of heartbreak. In this world, three divine arcana govern everything and begin to fade only when their harmony is stolen by five cursed arcana. The world of Sayonara relies heavily on Major Arcana, taken from tarot cards. Recalling the likes of Rez, with a short but sweet approach to game design, this indie title is one fans of pop music, arcade-esque action games and artistic gaming would do well to check out. It sounds scattershot, but Simogo manages to bring its disparate elements together, tying them with a memorable and distinctive presentation. Music, action, arcade, sh oot ‘em up and many others make up this bittersweet exploration of heartbreak and the process to overcome it. Partly, this is due to how integral certain gameplay moments are to the narrative, but also because it encompasses so many genres it’s almost dizzying. Describing Sayonara Wild Hearts is very tricky.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |