Recent reviews by Proselyte

In a vacuum, the mechanics of Pyre's individual matches are extremely satisfying if you're into quick, tactical thinking. Experimenting with team compositions, ability and equipment combinations, and different strategies for different opponents can lead to moments where you really pump your fist in the air at seeing it all come together.

But that's not what makes Pyre special in my eyes, and makes it worth me writing a review when I almost never do so these days.

What makes it special is how the writing, enjoyable characters and the nature of the setting combine so you find yourself invested in the outcome of almost every match.

When both pyres are down to their last shreds and you know the next round is do-or-die, the stakes are real and palpable, and you're hanging on the edge of your seat when you launch your last desperate stab for victory, and it pays off... or it doesn't.

Add onto that some truly gorgeous art design and a dynamic soundtrack I'm probably going to be listening to for a while, and the result is an experience that is worth stepping out of your comfort zone for.

It is worth a warning, though, that the narrative that gives every match its weight is delivered like a visual novel, where each of the characters take turns displaying their personality quirks, grudges, sharing their life goals, and all that. If that's your kind of thing, then fantastic, it's mine too, play it.

If the thought of trudging through lots of text annoys you when you'd rather play a cool fast-paced game, an option exists to allow you to fast-forward through the text, but you might find a lot of the time in-between matches pretty ho-hum.



tl;dr: excellent "magic soccer" game with mechanical depth and a gripping narrative shell, but is quite text heavy

Do yourself a favor and go into this blind if you can help it. The experience is far better as a surprise, but if you enjoy a worthwhile story and can suspend a little disbelief, it'll be more than worthwhile.