A Highland Song Reviews
A Highland Song is frequently beautiful, elegiac and magical, but one’s tolerance for its somewhat uneven gameplay will impact how much you will get back out of it. It should also be mentioned that on PC there is no mouse support, and while it plays fine with a keyboard, a controller is certainly the preferred method. Nevertheless, I did enjoy my jaunt across the Highlands, whenever I wasn’t falling off them or getting lost in the rain.
I’m in a weird spot with A Highland Song. On one hand, the game didn’t provide me with the kind of experience I was expecting from the trailer. On the other, what actually is here was an interesting and engaging experience. Exploring and finding the various ways forward constantly kept my interest, even through occasionally frustrating moments. The rhythm runs, while disappointingly uncommon, provided nice breaks from the core gameplay flow and some wonderful tunes to listen to alongside. While it wasn’t what I expected, it was a journey worth going on. The Scottish Highlands are calling, and it’s a call that you may just want to answer.
A Highland Song, though occasionally a little frustrating, invites you to learn more about its heroine, her uncle, and the hills.
A Highland Song is a beautiful game about a difficult journey, uplifted by gorgeous watercolor art and a gracefully told story. I felt a deep kinship with Moira. This is a game for anyone who has ever looked at the world beyond their window and felt an ache to crest the horizon. Inkle’s newest release is a meditative adventure that would be perfect for anyone who’s a fan of games like Old Man’s Journey, A Short Hike, or Inside (if Inside was happy and not a horrifying nightmare). It’s not for everyone, but then again, neither is running away. A Highland Song is a game for and made by those who know what it is like to yearn and dare to try.
And yet, as you struggle through the game's often abstruse systems, there is something rewarding in it all. More clarity both over where to go next and what the game itself is built upon would be welcome, but what is here is worthwhile and, for those with a greater tolerance for getting lost over and over or finding the right way and being unable to progress because the search has tired you out to much, A Highland Song holds some promise. After everything, the view is just about worth the climb.
A charming mix of local folklore, some music, and a sense of adventure
A Highland Song is a beautiful adventure, platforming and rhythm game that perfectly captures the joy of exploration and the magic of a journey through the wild, untamed Scottish Highlands.
A Highland Song is a game with a special place in my memory. The fact that it is a peaceful journey through the Scottish Highlands or has stunning hand-drawn images is not why it is so popular. Throughout the entirety of this game, the Celtic way may be found in every single aspect. Seeing the Gaelic language on the screen and listening to the traditional music as you run over the highlands are great experiences.
Moira’s adventure can parallel many people’s experiences as teenagers, living that eternally rebellious angst and not knowing what to do about their future. Embracing its cultural inspirations and creating a heartfelt rendition of the Scottish Highlands and everything they represent, A Highland Song is a beautiful reminder that nature is the best teacher.
A Highland Song is much more than a conventional platformer; is an exciting experience that combines an engaging story, stunning visuals and an enchanting soundtrack. By following Moira on her journey through the Scottish Highlands, we are immersed not only in the girl's search for the sea, but also in a cultural discovery that connects us to the customs and historical richness of these people. The game's ability to evoke feelings, combined with its ability to transport us to a peaceful and captivating world, offers not only entertainment, but an opportunity to disconnect and immerse ourselves in a narrative that transcends digital barriers. A Highland Song not only entertains us, but invites us to appreciate the beauty of the journey, the melodies that guide us, and the cultural richness it presents, making it a unique and memorable experience for players.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
It's great to see a game about a culture that often doesn't see a lot of focus. A Highland Song has a lot of great concepts, but they just don't all come together cohesively. Even so, it has a story worth telling and some pretty fantastic music to boot.
A Highland Song is beautiful and heartwarming; it feels like you are in the highlands of Scotland that’s immersed in the area’s culture. A’body should play this game, enjoy Moira’s thoughts, and skedaddle aff over the auld highlands. A Highland Song is a wee belter of a game and one of the best games I’ve played this year when Moira and I saw the sea.
It is just a beautiful genre matched with a good story solid gameplay and a real masterclass, I cannot praise or recommend this game enough.
A Highland Song might not be Inkle’s best game, but it’s the studio’s most evocative work – it’s a reminder that wherever we are, we are surrounded by stories.