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Pyre
PYRE IS ONE OF THE GREATEST SPORTS GAMES OF ALL TIME
(HEBI CERTIFIED 10 OUT OF 5)
I was recently having a discussion with some friends about something I call "Genre Lock". I use the term to describe the ways in which so many video game genres have become "locked" into a set of standards and expectations.
Shooters are dominated by historical or contemporary realworld warfare (Call of Duty, Battlefield, etc.). Splatoon is a wonderfully novel foil that adds depth to the genre. Racing games are largely dominated by realism as well (Forza, Need for Speed, etc.). The obvious foil is Mario Kart, although I do long for something that strives to be even more unique--at least in terms of setting and/or mechanics. There's a reason Wave Race 64 and the old Star Wars Podracing games are still looked fondly upon. Fighting games mostly remain 2D button reaction, combination memory affairs. Smash Bros. may seem like a watered down version of this, but it at least contributes something a bit more...well...fun and accessible. And gone are the days of exploring what sports games CAN be (NBA Streets Vol. 2 is still a banger). Most games nowadays are realistic simulator franchises like Madden, 2K, MLB The Show, and so forth.
Which brings us to Pyre. And I really commend Supergiant on being, once again, one of the industries best studios in terms of quality, artistic vision, and thoughtful game design.
Pyre is SOMEHOW a sports game. A very well-crafted one at that. The recipe for a fantastic sports series is all there. Rival teams with varied and memorable captains; high stakes for winning (literally achieving salvation from purgatory); a colorful band of misfits joining together to be the champions; and of course, PUTTING A BALL IN A THING.
But the team at Supergiant weren't just content with creating their own sport. Pyre is also a choose-your-own-adventure with an exceptionally compelling narrative. And my goodness, they give you a generous amount of choice which I haven't even seen in games whose main marketing revolves around choice-based gameplay (TellTale, Bioware, Don'tNod and more). The scale of these choices is both grand and fun. You can name one of your fellow comrades in ball-throwing (something that carries through the rest of the game), and then shortly after painfully decide who among your team will get to achieve salvation. The stakes are so high I was absolutely paralyzed with emotions contrasting practical thinking a number of times. It's seriously one of those "you gotta play it to see" type of experiences. In this way it reminds me the massively slept on Banner Saga (shout outs Alex Thomas--I've had some brief interactions with him and he is really honed in on his craft in a way many video game writers aren't). I will see for certain in further playthroughs, but the number of varied outcomes you can have for the world state and each individual character (friends and enemies alike) is unbelievable.
And the foundation of these choices, the main plot, is also compelling and full of intrigue that kept me leaning in. It was genuinely hard to put the game down. And not just because of the story, but because Supergiant just has such a clever design philosophy when it comes to pacing. The gameplay loop of "decision, mini decision, sports match, story outcome" is addictive in the best way.
And of course, I would be remiss not the mention the ever-brilliant art and character designs by Jen Zee. My goodness is this game gorgeous. She's certainly at the top of her field when it comes to creative art direction.
My only criticisms are that the shop isn't all that useful as you get most of your best items from doing training missions with each of your team mates. That the cursed stars which add extra difficulty but add XP rewards could've used some re-balancing (the bonuses vs. cost for a few seemed far too one-sided to want to engage with, even though I did try to use as many as I could). And that the AI in harder difficulties have such quick reaction times that it can be slightly frustrating. Although this is definitely gold standard stuff when it comes to difficulty (no extra HP, just more sophisticated AI).
Pyre is genuinely one of the best sports games out there. And it's certainly one of the best experiences I've had recent memory. The combination of generous and meaningful choices, a compelling narrative, well-crafted gameplay, stunningly beautiful art design, and well-paced progression make this a must play as much as Hades in my opinion.
It's a little sad it seems like it flew under the radar in comparison to the rest of their catalogue. But if you ask me, Pyre is perhaps the game most deserving of receiving absolution from the Scribes.
(HEBI CERTIFIED 10 OUT OF 5)
I was recently having a discussion with some friends about something I call "Genre Lock". I use the term to describe the ways in which so many video game genres have become "locked" into a set of standards and expectations.
Shooters are dominated by historical or contemporary realworld warfare (Call of Duty, Battlefield, etc.). Splatoon is a wonderfully novel foil that adds depth to the genre. Racing games are largely dominated by realism as well (Forza, Need for Speed, etc.). The obvious foil is Mario Kart, although I do long for something that strives to be even more unique--at least in terms of setting and/or mechanics. There's a reason Wave Race 64 and the old Star Wars Podracing games are still looked fondly upon. Fighting games mostly remain 2D button reaction, combination memory affairs. Smash Bros. may seem like a watered down version of this, but it at least contributes something a bit more...well...fun and accessible. And gone are the days of exploring what sports games CAN be (NBA Streets Vol. 2 is still a banger). Most games nowadays are realistic simulator franchises like Madden, 2K, MLB The Show, and so forth.
Which brings us to Pyre. And I really commend Supergiant on being, once again, one of the industries best studios in terms of quality, artistic vision, and thoughtful game design.
Pyre is SOMEHOW a sports game. A very well-crafted one at that. The recipe for a fantastic sports series is all there. Rival teams with varied and memorable captains; high stakes for winning (literally achieving salvation from purgatory); a colorful band of misfits joining together to be the champions; and of course, PUTTING A BALL IN A THING.
But the team at Supergiant weren't just content with creating their own sport. Pyre is also a choose-your-own-adventure with an exceptionally compelling narrative. And my goodness, they give you a generous amount of choice which I haven't even seen in games whose main marketing revolves around choice-based gameplay (TellTale, Bioware, Don'tNod and more). The scale of these choices is both grand and fun. You can name one of your fellow comrades in ball-throwing (something that carries through the rest of the game), and then shortly after painfully decide who among your team will get to achieve salvation. The stakes are so high I was absolutely paralyzed with emotions contrasting practical thinking a number of times. It's seriously one of those "you gotta play it to see" type of experiences. In this way it reminds me the massively slept on Banner Saga (shout outs Alex Thomas--I've had some brief interactions with him and he is really honed in on his craft in a way many video game writers aren't). I will see for certain in further playthroughs, but the number of varied outcomes you can have for the world state and each individual character (friends and enemies alike) is unbelievable.
And the foundation of these choices, the main plot, is also compelling and full of intrigue that kept me leaning in. It was genuinely hard to put the game down. And not just because of the story, but because Supergiant just has such a clever design philosophy when it comes to pacing. The gameplay loop of "decision, mini decision, sports match, story outcome" is addictive in the best way.
And of course, I would be remiss not the mention the ever-brilliant art and character designs by Jen Zee. My goodness is this game gorgeous. She's certainly at the top of her field when it comes to creative art direction.
My only criticisms are that the shop isn't all that useful as you get most of your best items from doing training missions with each of your team mates. That the cursed stars which add extra difficulty but add XP rewards could've used some re-balancing (the bonuses vs. cost for a few seemed far too one-sided to want to engage with, even though I did try to use as many as I could). And that the AI in harder difficulties have such quick reaction times that it can be slightly frustrating. Although this is definitely gold standard stuff when it comes to difficulty (no extra HP, just more sophisticated AI).
Pyre is genuinely one of the best sports games out there. And it's certainly one of the best experiences I've had recent memory. The combination of generous and meaningful choices, a compelling narrative, well-crafted gameplay, stunningly beautiful art design, and well-paced progression make this a must play as much as Hades in my opinion.
It's a little sad it seems like it flew under the radar in comparison to the rest of their catalogue. But if you ask me, Pyre is perhaps the game most deserving of receiving absolution from the Scribes.
10 days ago