Supergiant Games is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the world of indie games. Their first effort, Bastion, was a stellar debut. A 3/4’s overhead action title that revolved around world building, character interaction, and a mysterious narrator, it dripped style and cemented them as a group of talented individuals.
Transistor, their sophomore release, was a tactical action game that leaned heavily on lore, music, and character development. While some didn’t care for it as much as Bastion, I found it just as strong if not more so than their first release. Now here we are with the release of their third title, Pyre. It’s not the easiest game to describe in a nutshell, but if you can stick it out, you’ll be rewarded with a unique and enjoyable experience in gaming. Let’s get into it.
Pyre is two games stitched together. It’s one-half visual novel, and one half… fantasy… basketball. Yeah, I know- it’s odd to say the least. While it doesn’t feel natural at all for the first hour or so, the game definitely grows on you. You play as a lost soul in the Downside, a land where readers are banished (literacy is banned in the Commonwealth). A group of travelling pyre players discover you, and you’re invited to accompany them on their journey. They seek enlightenment, the point of which being allowed exit from the Downside. It’s a very engaging story, just like the rest of Supergiant’s previous releases.
As a result of the dual nature of Pyre, gameplay can often feel like a bad traffic jam- gas, brake, gas, brake, repeat. While the Pyre sections are challenging and handle well, and the visual novel sections are engaging, constantly going back and forth means you’re never really invested in either. It’s certainly unconventional to mix two drastically different genres together, but they’re not really mixed- they’re just stuck next to each other.
As is the case with all Supergiant titles, Pyre looks gorgeous. The character designs are singular, unique, and identifiable. Environments all feel hand-crafted. Colors pop off the screen. I strongly feel Supergiant need to release a huge art book after they get one or two more games under their belts.
During the Pyre sections, I wish the camera could have been pushed in a bit tighter to see the characters more clearly in action, but I understand that seeing the entire court is vital to the basic design. Still, you only ever get to see the characters close-up as still images.
The voice acting, sound design, and soundtrack are all on point. These are also features that Supergiant Games pride themselves on. The music sticks in your head, and each character becomes memorable thanks to exquisite voice acting.
Pyre is a game that’s going to take you anywhere from 8-15 hours to complete, with going back to matches an option for those who grow a fondness for Pyreball. Overall, it’s a solid experience; one that’s well-worth your time and money. At $20, it’s a great investment. That being said, there will be some players who won’t be able to get over the dual nature of Pyre. Coming away from it, I can’t help but feel that both games would have been stronger if kept separate from each other. If that doesn’t damper your interest, by all means jump in.
