Pyre
The good
Let's get this out right away. This game is a masterpiece. It took me a bit of time to get into it yes, but time was needed to understand the world I was dropped in and to become acquainted with the characters around. So, the biggest part of the game already, the visual novel part, was really really great. Story wise, I really enjoyed my time, learning about the world, what happens here and there, everything in Pyre is really interesting.The cast is fabulous as well, and you should easily get a few favourites out of all the characters at least. Personally, my favourites were Jodariel for being the way she is, Ti'zo because everyone needs a cute mascot and he was a really lovable one and Sandra because well, she is Sandra. I'm not going into any details here to avoid spoiler. By the way, I'm still a bit sad I made a quick decision without thinking properly about all its consequences. Which, to me, proves that they definitively worked hard on the story, with worthy and impactful decisions to take. Something that is always very nice to have!
The smaller part of the game, where you have to play some competitive matches, 3 vs 3, is also really solid and well-thought-out. The more I played it, the more it grew on me and after a few games, I was really enjoying it a lot. Surprisingly! Since at first I wasn't all that interested honestly. But even for that, they did a marvellous job!
The art is also incredibly beautiful. Colourful, unique and well, I just really enjoyed it. And then there's the soundtrack. And they totally nailed it. They recommend to play the game before listening to it, and I kinda think the same too. Because it could potentially spoils you I guess. And you might probably miss the context also (pretty sure some tracks feel a lot more powerful and impactful because of what I experienced as well). But anyway, if you're still curious and do not mind, I'll link you some cute and relaxing track, a catchy tune, a more "powerful" style, and its "Black Mandolin" version and my favourite one, I think? It's hard to choose! But I wanted to share some, for myself as well.
The bad
I don't really have any bad things to report, honestly. I could say that the game is best played with a gamepad. And I thought it was better to click through the dialogue and navigate using the mouse so having to switch between mouse and gamepad was a bit meh? Though nothing really that annoying. And that's pretty much all I can think of.Conclusion
Pyre is a masterpiece. It might be a weird or unusual mash up for some, but for me, it worked flawlessly. And with that, my first steam game down this year is already a very serious contender into the best played game of 2019! And I highly recommend it to everyone. Play Pyre people! It is very much worth it.
I’m glad you enjoyed it ^_^. I absolutely loved this game as well and need to officially finish it myself (unfortunately my current gamepad is not up to the challenge). A fairly accurate and well done review and I definitely agree with all your favorite character choices as well. It seems your exile is lifted, enjoy your freedom in this new year! :3
What kind of controller do you have that couldn’t take the challenge? :O
But yeah, it was a really awesome game, thanks again! And now I have to catch up with other Supergiant games.
The “B” button’s spring no longer works, so it is always down. If the slightest pressure or breeze touches it, then it reads the input. Not very suitable for the later stages of that game. :3
How complicated is the story? Can a 7-year-old understand it, with some clarifications provided (big words, etc.)? Is there anything else not kid-friendly about it (cursing, sexual themes, etc.)? Normally this is the kind of game I’d like to play with my kids because it’s visually appealing and has a story and interesting gameplay.
That is one really though question! x_x
Well, I guess it should be alright. I don’t remember anything particularly shocking, and double checking the PEGI it seems they agree too. There’s a bit of uncommon vocabulary in the game, like “triumvirate”, “raiment”, “anoint” and probably a few others I’ve rarely seen. But English ain’t my main language! Though they were not that hard to understand with the context.
Other than that, the story isn’t too complicated I believe as long as you’re playing together to explain sometimes eventually. Because as said, most of the time you’ll be reading (it’s basically an interactive book).
And then the competitive games aren’t too hard either since you can keep the difficulty at its bare minimum. I kept increasing it which is why my game time is a bit longer than a regular playtime for this game (which should be between 10 to 15h apparently). If you keep the regular setting, it should be okay for everyone I think? Though you can still continue even if you lose anyway. From what I’ve read, all outcomes are valid (winning or losing). Winning should prove to be a bit more satisfying, depending on what you want to achieve but losing could work just as well. Though this may also mean that your story might end up being different from the one I’ve read.
Anyway, if your kid(s?) gets drawn into the story, it should be a pretty great journey I believe. And Pyre definitively is worth it so you and your kid(s) should give it a go at least if you can!
Thank you for the response, Adil! I’ll wishlist it on my alt account and maybe pick it up eventually.
Pyre is amazing! And it’s great to see a nice review of the game without the term “fantasy basketball” being mentioned anywhere. :) And I’m sorry about this humble brag, but one of my Christmas presents was very late this year so the excitement is still very recent and I can’t not share what I got - click.
Wow, you got some great gifts there! I’m especially jealous of that Ti’zo plush! I was looking at it as well right after finishing the game xD but delivery is UPS, and the total is a bit expensive so I’m 100% sure I’ll be taxed if I order it so… I tried to be reasonable. For now at least.
And I didn’t know about that “fantasy basketball” appellation honestly. That is why I didn’t use it. But I don’t think it’s that unfitting. Though I’m not really into basketball that is why it didn’t occur to me to compare it to that sport. :D
Yeah, the Ti’zo plush is the first thing I checked their store for when finishing the game as well, but it didn’t yet exist back then. :) Unfortunately mine got taxed too, since it’s not from a EU country (and it took over a month to get here because it was first stuck in SF and then in NY for days/weeks), but luckily it was worth it! (Of course I’d say that since it was a present and it wasn’t me paying for it. :D)
I agree that the term does kiiinda fit the gameplay, but there’s so much more to the game and if people just see “fantasy basketball” as the main descriptor, they won’t be interested in ever playing the game since it seems a bit shallow then. :I
Yesssssss <33333
Esp. Pyre being a soundtrack masterpiece. Darren Korb is a gift
Yeah, I don’t often listen to soundtrack that much but Pyre music was just that good indeed!