A Highland Song

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 522 reviews
  • music
  • story
  • gameplay
A Highland Song Game Cover
A Highland Song is an incredible game with fascinating details about Scottish folklore and stunning visuals.
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"A Highland Song" is a platforming and survival game set in the Scottish Highlands. Traverse rugged landscapes, climb peaks, and explore caves while dealing with the elements to survive. Collect map fragments to discover faster routes, and learn the region's stories and secrets as you journey to the sea, all to the rhythm of traditional Celtic music. Replayability is encouraged with multiple paths and challenges.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 522 reviews
music192 positive mentions
grinding11 negative mentions
  • The game features stunning visuals and a beautiful soundtrack that immerses players in the Scottish Highlands.
  • Exploration is rewarding, with many secrets and paths to discover, encouraging multiple playthroughs.
  • The narrative is engaging, with charming characters and folklore that adds depth to the experience.
  • The gameplay can be frustrating due to unclear navigation and a confusing map system, leading to aimless wandering.
  • The time limit to reach the lighthouse can create unnecessary pressure, detracting from the exploration experience.
  • Some mechanics, like the climbing and rhythm sections, can feel finicky and may disrupt the flow of gameplay.
  • music359 mentions

    The music in "A Highland Song" has been widely praised for its beautiful and immersive quality, featuring a stunning soundtrack composed by Laurence Chapman alongside traditional Scottish folk music from artists like Talisk and Fourth Moon. Players appreciate how the music enhances the exploration experience, with rhythm-based segments that add a unique layer to gameplay, although some found these sections could be frustrating or too infrequent. Overall, the combination of enchanting melodies and atmospheric sound design contributes significantly to the game's charm and emotional depth.

    • “The music is phenomenal and the art style is beautiful.”
    • “And the music--this has got to be one of the best game soundtracks I've heard in years, with Lawrence Chapman composing a stunning score along with some really amazing Scottish folk artists.”
    • “The entire soundtrack consists of Scottish tunes that ooze the sensation of freedom and adventure with every note.”
    • “There is no enjoyment to be had in it, the music is, at best, mediocre, the narrative is uninteresting, and the voice actor's incessant groaning and panting, which she does while doing everything she does, is quite distracting.”
    • “My only complaints are that the musical sections feel punitive when you mess up because messing up one note means you receive no increased stamina.”
    • “The gimmick of the music-driven runs are few and often far between.”
  • story187 mentions

    The story of "A Highland Song" is praised for its beautiful presentation, engaging folklore, and dynamic storytelling that unfolds as players explore the Scottish highlands. While the narrative is captivating and enriched by stunning visuals and music, some players find it predictable and occasionally confusing, particularly regarding the map mechanics and replayability aspects. Overall, the game offers a charming journey filled with heart, though it may require patience to fully appreciate its depth.

    • “The hills are full of stories and magic, and when you recognize and interact with the narrative, you are rewarded not just with more story, but with useful items or features to help you on your way.”
    • “With heartfelt vocal performances and a beautiful story that pieces itself together over time, there is a lot to love in A Highland Song.”
    • “The story is just lovely to watch unfold.”
    • “The difficulties of trying to work with the map system, the frustration of when you're on the clock and you waste time, and the unsatisfying tension between trying to go off the path to find some bit of new story versus the clock overhead: it just wasn't particularly fun, and a disappointment as someone who has loved the replayability in their previous games.”
    • “This is a cool concept in theory, but the downside is that the ending feels underwhelming, if not outright confusing, the first time you see it because you're expected to play more than once to get the full context, and it's hard for a story's conclusion to make an impact when it isn't given the proper buildup first.”
    • “I was really taken out of the story, robbed of the pleasure of exploration as it is really difficult to understand the map logic, the location and mostly the goal.”
  • gameplay169 mentions

    The gameplay of "A Highland Song" is a mixed bag, with some players enjoying the exploration and platforming mechanics while others find them repetitive and frustrating due to bugs and confusing controls. The game features a blend of 2D platforming, rhythm sections, and light survival mechanics, which can be engaging but often lack depth and variety. Overall, while the atmosphere, visuals, and music are praised, many reviewers express disappointment with the gameplay's execution and complexity.

    • “The gameplay is incredibly fun, making this game a must-play for anyone seeking a relaxing yet engaging gaming experience.”
    • “The gameplay is nice, a mix of platforming and looking for collectibles.”
    • “The thrill of success violins as you climb peaks while taking Moira from her home to the lighthouse is just one of the many gameplay elements that tickle a puzzler's mind in just the right way.”
    • “The gameplay seemed rather empty, boring, and monotonous to me.”
    • “However, gameplay-wise, it is a bit clunky; the rhythm parts are repetitive and the exhaustion mechanic is annoying after playing for a while.”
    • “It's very atmospheric, but the gameplay is really a complete disaster.”
  • graphics94 mentions

    The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their stunning art style, beautiful locales, and immersive visuals that capture the essence of the Scottish highlands. Players appreciate the combination of gorgeous artwork, engaging music, and effective voice acting, which together create a charming and atmospheric experience. However, some minor graphical glitches and issues with HDR settings have been noted, but they do not significantly detract from the overall visual appeal.

    • “Gorgeous artwork, voice acting, and a banger soundtrack shroud the gameplay like a fluffy blanket I wanted to curl up in for hours.”
    • “Brimming with personality, and the gorgeous artwork and soundtrack capture the scale and beauty of the Scottish highlands like no other game I’ve ever played.”
    • “Absolutely beautiful visuals, lovely voice acting and writing, and a really creative kind of platforming that switches between climbing, rhythm game, and slow-paced exploration.”
    • “Some minor graphical glitches in the reflections spoil some of the visuals.”
    • “I found an issue between Windows HDR and the game that absolutely murdered my graphics.”
    • “While I've fixed most of my graphic issues, sometimes, during rain in particular, the low contrast can strain my eyes.”
  • replayability46 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability, with players able to explore new paths, uncover secrets, and achieve different objectives across multiple playthroughs. While some users noted frustrations with the map system and time constraints, many praised the immersive experience, beautiful music, and the balance between replayability and narrative content. Overall, the game is designed to reward exploration and choices, making each run feel unique and engaging.

    • “This virtually guarantees the game is replayable, just to accomplish more of the objectives.”
    • “Exploring the Scottish Highlands feels satisfying thanks to gorgeous music and scenery and the sheer quantity of secrets to be found, and it's designed with replayability in mind so that every playthrough feels unique.”
    • “The most interesting I found, however, was how the game managed to strike a delicate balance between replayability and the amount of content within each playthrough, which is not an easy thing for a narrative-focused game.”
    • “Exploring the Scottish Highlands feels satisfying thanks to gorgeous music and scenery, and the sheer quantity of secrets to be found. It's designed with replayability in mind so that every playthrough feels unique.”
    • “The most interesting aspect I found, however, was how the game managed to strike a delicate balance between replayability and the amount of content within each playthrough, which is not an easy thing for a narrative-focused game.”
    • “Between the vast number of ways to reach the aforementioned point B, the large number of completionist goals, and the revelation that the story changes based on how (and how quickly) you reach your destination, there is a fair amount of replayability in this game for people who want to know every aspect of Moira's world as well as Moira herself.”
  • atmosphere45 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its beauty, immersion, and ability to evoke a cozy, serene experience, particularly through its stunning visuals and evocative sound design. Many reviewers highlight the effective blend of storytelling, folklore, and exploration that enhances the overall ambiance, making it a perfect choice for players seeking a low-key, atmospheric adventure. However, some note that while the atmosphere is captivating, the gameplay may not meet the same standards.

    • “Still, I think this game is way more positive than negative, and if you're looking for a cozy, vacation atmosphere, this is a perfect fit.”
    • “Every moment is very atmospheric, and the mix of the story of the game, the folklore interwoven with it and just running and climbing through the hills is working really, really well.”
    • “The atmosphere created is the crucial element of the experience, and sound and music play a vital role.”
    • “Charming atmosphere, I'd recommend it for people who want a very low-key ambient chill out experience.”
    • “The art style is not only gorgeous, but it also perfectly complements the serene and calming atmosphere.”
  • emotional17 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartwarming tale of self-discovery set in the Scottish Highlands, which resonates deeply with players, often evoking tears. Despite some frustrations with gameplay mechanics, the heartfelt vocal performances and beautifully crafted story create a wholesome experience that encourages exploration and connection with the characters and their histories. Overall, it is celebrated as an underrated gem that combines emotional depth with engaging gameplay.

    • “A beautiful game about getting lost in the Scottish Highlands, a clear homage to both the place and culture, accompanied by a heartwarming tale of self-discovery. Some sections are hard, but you mustn't take your wonder through the game in any stressful manner. Ignore the timer; it's fine, you can leave that for the next Beltane. The controls for some things could be sharper, but I never felt like it took away from the experience. I would recommend a controller; this is an underrated gem of a game.”
    • “With heartfelt vocal performances and a beautiful story that pieces itself together over time, there is a lot to love in 'A Highland Song.'”
    • “This game offers the joy of puzzling out a way through wild paths and peaks, and grounds the experience with beautifully understated characters, hidden histories, and the heartfelt drama of a girl who needs to chart her own path to the sea before she runs out of time.”
  • grinding13 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while the game avoids excessive tedium during replays and features relatively short playthroughs, navigating with hand-drawn maps and certain mechanics, like climbing, can feel frustratingly slow and tedious. This design choice may encourage players to appreciate the scenery, but it often leads to annoyance and a sense of being stuck, particularly during musical sections.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Finding paths to progress using in-game, hand-drawn maps is tedious and unfun.”
    • “So tedious and annoying.”
    • “And because the controls, particularly the climbing, feel just a little off and slow, it becomes tedious and annoying.”
  • stability8 mentions

    The game exhibits notable stability issues, particularly with buggy climbing mechanics and confusing platforming due to its 2.5D art style. Additionally, minor graphical glitches, especially in reflections, detract from the overall visual experience. While the gameplay remains engaging, these bugs can lead to frustrating moments and dead ends.

    • “Some of the climbing mechanics are buggy, and the 2.5D art also makes platforming confusing at some places.”
    • “Some minor graphical glitches in the reflections spoil some of the visuals.”
    • “Some of this is the gameplay which is generally charming and fascinating but can lead to some apparent dead ends and annoying cases of going around in circles, and part of that is the mechanics of the game because, boy, this game is buggy.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The game offers two distinct modes: an open exploration mode where time is not a constraint, and a speed run mode focused on optimization. This dual approach allows players to enjoy the narrative at their own pace or challenge themselves to complete the game more efficiently. Overall, the optimization aspect is well-integrated, catering to different playstyles.

    • “After my first playthrough, I understood there were contrasting twinned modes: open exploring where (very mild spoiler) [spoiler] time doesn't really matter [/spoiler] and a speed run/optimization goal.”
    • “After my first playthrough, I understood there were contrasting modes: open exploring where (very mild spoiler) [spoiler] time doesn't really matter [/spoiler] and a speed run/optimization goal.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is perceived as a form of unofficial advertising for VisitScotland, suggesting that it prioritizes promotional content over traditional gameplay elements.

  • humor2 mentions

    Players find the humor in the game particularly enjoyable, with moments like flying with an eagle being highlighted as both surprising and amusing. This element of unexpected humor contributes positively to the overall gaming experience.

    • “My favorite experience in this game so far was flying with the eagle, because it was a nice and funny surprise.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

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Play time

4hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
2-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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