For me, that favorite song is probably “ Parallel Universes,” with the constant finger-snapping beat as the world changes to an alternate universe and you have to remember where things are as the world continuously shifts. Each level is only a couple of minutes at most and can be replayed later like choosing a favorite song from a jukebox. The perfect electropop soundtrack by Daniel Olsén and Jonathan Eng, with vocals by Linnea Olsson, took inspiration from artists like Charli XCX, Carly Rae Jepsen, and CHVRCHES. This is a game that has equal parts style and substance, and oh, is it overflowing with style. Everything is so smooth and enjoyable to watch, whether riding around 360 degree highways or in someone’s VR headset. The constant flurry of colors-mainly pinks, purples, and blues (bisexual lighting is always gorgeous)-combines with the seamless animation delivering ultimate viewing pleasure. Each level brings a new song, location, and style. I’ve replayed my favourite level ‘Begin Again’ numerous times since I completed it, and can’t quite get enough of just how good it feels to race through the streets, listening to a beautiful voice sing a catchy chorus as I fly through a chasm of pink.From riding a skateboard and motorcycle down busy late night streets, to dance-battling girl gangs (of exes?), to fighting a giant 3-headed mechanical wolf, you never know what to expect next. There’re times when you’ll repeat certain sections, but it’s never overtly difficult. Not only that, but the amount of gameplay styles on hand constantly mix it up and never allow you to get comfortable. Sayonara Wild Hearts isn’t a long game, but its simple gameplay allows you to appreciate the music and visuals. Among all the chaotic twists and turns of the forest and futuristic cityscapes you’ll encounter, simply falling through a neon tunnel collecting hearts feels a bit of a let down, and the tracks that accompany them are also weaker in bombast. Some of the levels are far too short, and there are some sections that feel like they’re filling the gaps between some of the more adventurous levels. I was lost in it for the hour it lasts, unable to put it down. It’s utterly stunning how the bright design of each level works with both minimalism and simplistic gameplay. If you’ve ever had your heart broken you’ll ‘get’ it in one way or another, and the music builds on the themes of heartache, finding yourself, and overcoming it all beautifully. Unfortunately, I never felt like I figured out the exact timing of a lot of the mechanics of the game an uh bummer for a rhythm. It’s not about trying to give you a compelling narrative, though. This game’s style and music is top notch, without a doubt. Trying to figure out what’s going on isn’t easy until you reach the incredibly structured final level. You move with the left stick and hit the button prompts solely with the A button, allowing you to not get bogged down with a menagerie of complicated button sequences and instead opting for a more relaxed experience. There’s not a lot to learn in terms of the controls. Not every piece of music stands out, but as an entire piece it compliments Sayonara Wild Hearts really well. The electronic thumping and soothing synths often play without vocals, but the songs with lyrics are some of the game’s best. There’re songs that stand out on their own, whilst others are more of a segue into the next. When you get into the groove of the level it can be an amazing feeling, especially if the song that’s playing is particularly good. If you crash or fail to input a prompt on time, the screen will go black and you’ll have to restart from shortly before where you died, but it’s almost instant, so you don’t lose track of the rhythm and the song. Other elements of Sayonara Wild Hearts will have you firing a bow and arrow, using martial arts, shooting a gun attached to your bike at wolves and robots, and plenty more.Įach level has plenty of changes from the last, and you can never really become familiar with them as they’re always changing. You earn points by collecting gems and hearts, trying to ride through them as you move at great speed, eventually earning either a gold, silver, or bronze rank. You play as a young woman who has her heart broken, and the short but sweet journey of how she overcomes her sadness takes place over different levels which see you travel through them in a multitude of ways which include riding a motorbike, driving a Cadillac, falling through tunnels of light and colour, and flying. Developers Simogo and publishers Annapurna Interactive call it a “pop album video game,” combining illuminating visuals and a soundtrack that compliments the variety of gameplay on offer, and it’s a great example of how music and video games combine to provide unique works of art. Fundamentally, it’s a rhythm game akin to Rez or Lost in Harmony coated in bold neon pink and dark blue environments, but the story is an interpretive journey through heartbreak that lets you make up your own mind as to what it all means. It’s difficult to explain what Sayonara Wild Hearts is.
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