Pyre Reviews
Pyre understands the primal thrill behind executing a dangerous slam dunk and the dueling probabilities of luck and dexterity necessary to make it happen. With Pyre, Supergiant Games' passion for systems-driven trials of skill and fondness for vibrant, wistful fantasy converge in the Mutant League NBA Jam daydream role-playing game I never knew I always wanted.
Pyre is longer than the previous games from Supergian Games, which allows it time to establish the story and characters and gives players time to get used to battle mechanics as well. Once the acclimatisation period is complete, Pyre blooms into yet another amazing game from the developer.
Pyre represents another solid effort from Supergiant, as the awe-inspiring world, both in terms of design and depth, coupled with a lovable cast of heroes and villains, continue the studio's renowned streak for titles with big heart and unique gameplay.
It feels disingenuous to even try and write words about Pyre, another Supergiant masterpiece. I don't feel that my prose can even begin to match the resplendent beauty that permeates this journey through the Downside. If only that I could stand there in front of the Scribesgate once more listening to the Lone Minstrel and the Gate Guardian sing the hymn as the Rites commence once more. For as amazing Pyre was, I'll just have to find myself exiled once more to find freedom in the flame.
Dazzling and mysterious, this ambitious party-based RPG is a masterpiece.
Pyre backs up its eye candy with some pretty impressive world-building and fun gameplay, particularly in Versus Mode. Though the battles in the main campaign don't offer too much of a challenge, the controls still make it feel great when you drive your team into your opponent's goal. All that supplementary reading in the Book of Rites might not be for everyone, but even without it, Supergiant has still built a memorable, visually spectacular world.
Pyre's world is full of dynamic characters with unique motivations, darkly vibrant backdrops that look like paintings, and a soundtrack that you'll be humming for days, weeks, even months to come. It might be slow to start, but once it picks up it never looks back. The Rites are exciting and addictive, and you'll always want to play “just one more round.” Even when the game is over, you'll want to have at least one more round through the whole thing, just to see how things might turn out differently. Pyre is an admirable addition to both Supergiant's repertoire and any gamer's collection.
Pyre's campaign is repetitive and its combat never quite clicks, but a touching and thoughtful story makes it worth sticking through to the end.
Pyre is a lengthy sojourn into a surprising setting, with gameplay focused on a thrilling, smartly balanced battle sport
Supergiant Games continue to burn brightly as an independent studio, with Pyre being their latest imaginative and fantastical adventure. It casts aside many of the trappings of an action RPG from Bastion and Transistor in favour of something more akin to a real time tactical game, wrapping its fast paced and often fraught battles up in a world and cast of characters that gradually draw you into its cyclical tale.
In Pyre, you'll see yourself making it through to the end only to realize that you're trying to extinguish an already diminishing flame.
Pyre is a diamond in the rough. Its sense of adventure and novel Rites are ultimately held back from realizing their full potential by a campaign that feels drawn out, static teammates, and easy enemy AI. There's plenty to love here, and Pyre will most definitely worm its way into the hearts of many, but it doesn't quite top Bastion as Supergiants' crowning achievement.
Not only is it one of the most beautiful games I've played in recent memory, but it has some new mechanics and ideas to keep you playing.
Simply describing Pyre‘s spectacularly outlandish battle system doesn't do it justice… Pair that with a wonderful cast of characters, a riveting story, and enthralling music and visuals, and you have nothing short of a compelling game that demands your time and attention.
Pyre's strengths lie in a lot of things: its beautiful visuals, amazing score, multi-branching tale, gameplay that somehow marries the best of sports games and tactical RPGs. But it's wrapped in an expansive story that doesn't quite earn its keep over its many hours, and fails to flesh out the endearing characters you meet and spend time with all along the way. In the end though, Pyre's a quest worth taking if you're up for the challenge and the inevitable dread you'll feel when you lose sometimes.
Looking back at this point I can see a clear progression From Bastion to Transistor, to Pyre and this is not only the best story they have told but it is also most well-executed game on all fronts. For anyone who enjoys party based RPGs, this is one game you really shouldn’t pass up.
After a bumpy start with its combat, Pyre lives up to its predecessors with its rich lore, stunning art design, and interactive narrative. With the choices that you carry out altering the story, Pyre's diverse cast of characters in such an imaginative world makes it one to return to after you beat it, possibly again and again.
You've never seen anything like Pyre but you have to check it out. Whether you enjoy unorthodox battle systems, great story-telling and characters or a gorgeous amalgamation of visuals and music, Pyre is truly a stand-out in Supergiant's portfolio. And that's saying something.
Pyre's wit and whimsy effortlessly usher you into a captivating world of punishment, sacrifice, and competition.