Pyre (2017)

Pyre is a wonderful experience. The story is captivating and the characters are full of charm and depth. It’s a pleasure to become invested in their tales and natural to come to care for them throughout their struggles. I would have appreciated more detail, though, for both story and characters, as I feel there is too much that is glossed over or never properly developed. The gameplay, while not revolutionary and somewhat tangent to the visual novel style of narrative, is still clever and fun, especially with the variety the characters can bring to your strategy. The visuals are simply incredible, yet I feel the soundtrack wasn’t quite up to the same levels as Transistor or Bastion. Regardless of its shortcomings, Pyre delivers in enjoyment. With my reading speed, conducting practice Rites, and my just taking in the atmosphere, my first playthrough took about 10 hours. That does not include subsequent playthroughs and discovering all of the individual and paired endings the game offers. Although I’m giving this a 3.5/5, it only just misses the 4/5 mark. With its intrigue and originality, Pyre is definitely a game that delivers enjoyment and is unquestionably worth playing.

A quirky fusion of genres which challenges as much as it charms.

Pyre is an admirable attempt to create a new hybrid -- part sports, part RPG -- but only one of the game's halves is a true success. Surprisingly, that's the sports half. Pyre's world is an enticing one, it just isn't conveyed in the best way.

Overall, Pyre is another home run delivered by Supergiant games. It’s a game full of mystery, waiting to be uncovered and revealed, while containing a strategic sports game that has huge stakes on the line. The only other criminals, besides the characters in the game, is anybody who decides to skip out on this masterpiece.

Pyre was still fun with the platform they ultimately decided on.