BrightFlame Sayonara Wild Hearts Review

Sayonara Wild Hearts is that rare case where the game becomes more than the sum of its parts. This neon musical extravaganza pulls you in from the first minutes and doesn't let go until the final credits, despite a playthrough lasting just one hour. The soundtrack is simply magnificent. Even if electro-pop isn't your genre, you'll appreciate the quality of the songs and variety of instrumental compositions. Music isn't just background here—it's the central element of the entire experience. The plot isn't overloaded with complexities, yet it's far from primitive. A story about a broken heart, battling your inner demons, and finding reconciliation is told through symbols and metaphors, with music and visuals perfectly supporting the narrative. The visual style deserves special admiration. Vibrant neon colors and constantly shifting perspectives create a stunning picture, but the most impressive feature is the perfect synchronization of everything on screen with the music. The gameplay is surprisingly balanced. Rhythm game enthusiasts will find serious challenges in pursuing high scores, perfect level completions, and solving the "zodiac puzzles"—metaphorical tasks that must be completed in main levels to earn achievements. At the same time, people with weaker rhythm skills will find the game forgiving, allowing them to enjoy the audiovisual experience without frustrating interruptions. The technical aspects also deserve mention. Despite its visual intensity, Sayonara Wild Hearts demonstrates brilliant optimization and runs smoothly even without dedicated graphics card. Sayonara Wild Hearts is a beautiful reminder that games shouldn't be judged by the "hours of gameplay per dollar" ratio. Despite its brevity, it delivers a vibrant experience that will stay with you for a long time and keep you coming back for more.