Gylt
- July 6, 2023
- Parallel Circles
- 8h median play time
Get on Steam"Gylt is a single-player Horror Role Playing game with an intriguing story and great mechanics. As Sally, a little girl searching for her missing cousin in a creepy, surreal world, players can choose to confront or avoid twisted creatures based on Sally's fears. With wonderful graphics, good music, and a perfect atmosphere, Gylt is a highly emotional, narrative-driven adventure game with puzzles, stealth, and action."
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- The game features a captivating story that explores themes of bullying and emotional struggles, resonating with players on a personal level.
- The art style and graphics are beautifully designed, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
- Gameplay mechanics are engaging, allowing for a mix of stealth, puzzle-solving, and combat that keeps players entertained throughout the game.
- The game can feel overly simplistic and easy, with many players finding the puzzles and combat lacking in challenge.
- Some players expressed frustration with the requirement to collect all items for the best ending, which can lead to tedious backtracking.
- The AI of enemies is often criticized for being predictable and not providing a significant challenge, reducing the tension in gameplay.
- story193 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of *Gylt* is a poignant exploration of themes such as bullying, loneliness, and courage, often conveyed through collectibles that enhance the narrative experience. While some players appreciate its emotional depth and relatable characters, others criticize it for being straightforward and reliant on clichés. Overall, the game is noted for its engaging atmosphere and strong visual design, making it a compelling choice for those who enjoy story-driven horror adventures.
“The storyline tackles the issues within a grade school setting, combined with gameplay where you're alone, cornered, scared, and trying to navigate a bleak world while avoiding enemies trying to hurt you. It essentially gives the same feels of getting bullied.”
“Alight the likes, the story is absolutely fantastic. It's beautifully written as it delves into its themes of bullying, depression, isolation, and peer pressure. It feels beautiful and heartfelt and almost made me cry.”
“The search for Sally's missing cousin, Emily, drives the story forward, and the game successfully explores themes of guilt, fear, and friendship.”
“The story is bland and the characters, of which there are only three, are boring and uninteresting.”
“This game is what happens when you take an interesting topic of bullying, streamline the story to be as simple and safe as possible, and put it on gameplay rails that are both easy and flawed.”
“The story unfortunately is quite basic and things happen because the game needs them to happen.”
- gameplay120 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Gylt" is characterized by a blend of basic stealth mechanics and puzzle-solving elements, often compared to titles like "Alan Wake" and "Little Nightmares." While the combat allows players to confront enemies using a flashlight, many reviewers noted that the gameplay can feel simplistic and linear, lacking depth and innovation. Overall, the game is praised for its polished execution and engaging atmosphere, though some players found it repetitive and too easy, particularly for seasoned gamers.
“The gameplay is really good; it takes some inspiration from Alan Wake.”
“The game seamlessly blends puzzle-solving with stealth mechanics, keeping you engaged at every turn.”
“I give the game a positive review as the gameplay mechanics were enjoyable, especially after being given tools to fight back, and the enemies were pretty unique from one another.”
“Gylt is a very safe product that lacks depth in any department, be it gameplay, story, or else.”
“Sneaking is ruined by rudimentary gameplay, mundane locations, and aggressive UI that constantly shows AI awareness, rendering any sense of suspense obsolete.”
“The gameplay loop of Gylt involves exploring various parts of the school campus, dealing with monsters via stealth or using the game's combat system of using your flashlight to evaporate enemies. There are occasional puzzles, most of which feel a little confusing and out of place compared to the core gameplay; these are the weakest aspect of the game.”
- graphics84 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful, cartoonish art style reminiscent of Tim Burton's works, creating an immersive and atmospheric experience. Players appreciate the attention to detail, smooth animations, and vibrant color palettes, which enhance the overall aesthetic and emotional impact of the game. While some critiques mention a simplistic or childlike quality to the visuals, the consensus is that the graphics are polished and contribute significantly to the game's appeal.
“The graphics are great, especially the shadow effects.”
“Gylt showcases beautiful graphics with meticulous attention to detail in the art style that enhances the game's immersive nature and captivates players from start to finish.”
“The visuals are cartoon styled, but really good and create a very atmospheric and moody environment.”
“This game is what happens when you take an interesting topic of bullying, streamline the story to be as simple and safe as possible, and put it on gameplay rails that are both easy and flawed. While the graphics and high detail may attract a few players to try it, I cannot see this game being a topic of discussion, fading away into obscurity not as some hidden gem, but as a very mediocre product.”
“Gylt is a nice little game that tries very hard to be like Little Nightmares, but falls flat due to the very childish and Disney-like art style, as well as a lack of any real feeling of danger when dealing with the monsters.”
“Too kiddie-like, everything from the monster designs to the graphics makes the game feel like a kids' movie, and not a good one.”
- atmosphere40 mentions
- 78 % positive mentions
- 15 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its charming art style, immersive sound design, and effective use of eerie elements that create a captivating experience. Reviewers highlight the balance between cute visuals and spooky undertones, with many noting the strong voice acting and engaging narrative that enhance the overall mood. While some mention a drop in tension during gameplay, the atmospheric design remains a standout feature, drawing comparisons to beloved titles like "Little Nightmares" and "Coraline."
“The visuals are neat, the atmosphere & music are nice and the superb voice acting brought so much life to the characters!”
“Really liked the game, its eerie atmosphere and the short yet memorable story are beautifully crafted.”
“Incredible atmosphere, good story and well-acted protagonist more than make up for this game's simplistic stealth gameplay.”
“It is simplistic to the point where it gets the atmosphere and tension where it needs to but no further.”
“The spooky atmosphere is passable and the environments are varied.”
“An eerie puzzle-adventure with a horror-lite atmosphere similar to the likes of Voodoo Vince.”
- music33 mentions
- 73 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its haunting and atmospheric quality, effectively enhancing the overall experience and immersing players in the narrative. While some reviewers noted that the music could have been utilized more frequently, the soundtrack is described as beautiful and fitting, contributing to the game's eerie ambiance. Overall, the combination of music, voice acting, and visuals creates a memorable and engaging atmosphere that resonates with players.
“The striking visual design coupled with a haunting soundtrack creates an ambiance that lingers, immersing you deeper into the narrative.”
“The music was good with plenty of great haunting soundtracks that just takes you back to movies like Coraline.”
“Amazing game with a cute little horror vibe, lovely music and good graphics with simple puzzles.”
“7.215/10 — wondering why nobody bought the soundtrack and considering a purchase myself, I had to calculate the sound quality, which is (full stereo) 320 kb/s ...”
“4/10 music”
“Music is decent, could be better”
- emotional23 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Gylt" is highlighted by its heartfelt storytelling and exploration of heavy themes such as bullying, depression, and isolation, resonating deeply with players. The game is praised for its beautiful art style and character relationships, though some critiques mention that the emotional impact can be undermined by the presentation of certain scenes. Overall, it is regarded as a unique and poignant experience that effectively addresses sensitive topics while maintaining a sense of adventure.
“Gylt offers an emotional insight into the impact bullying can have on a child using thought-provoking art to convey concepts of loneliness, anger, and paranoia.”
“Alright the likes, the story is absolutely fantastic; it's beautifully written as it delves into its themes of bullying, depression, isolation, and peer pressure. It feels like if Silent Hill was written by Ray Bradbury or Katy Towell; it just feels beautiful and heartfelt and almost made me cry.”
“The beautiful relationship between Sally and Emily is a significant aspect of Gylt, adding depth and emotional resonance to the game's narrative.”
- stability9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with most players reporting a smooth and bug-free experience. While one user encountered a specific buggy section, the majority noted solid performance, good optimization, and no significant glitches or crashes. The game is described as polished, providing a reliable gameplay experience across various systems.
“Runs great on my PC, which is about 4 years old now.”
“From a technical point of view, I have zero complaints. The game is virtually bug-free, the graphics are nice, and the optimization is good.”
“It's worth mentioning that Gylt is remarkably polished, with no glitches or bugs, providing a smooth gameplay experience.”
“That section felt really buggy; I wasn't even in the spotlight and it would just snap to me.”
“That was fortunately the only spot that felt rather buggy for me.”
“It's worth mentioning that Gylt is remarkably polished, no glitches or bugs, providing a smooth gameplay experience.”
- optimization8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with many players reporting smooth performance on high settings and no significant bugs or crashes. While some users noted minor optimization issues, the majority experienced excellent performance, including stable frame rates and well-functioning controls throughout their playthroughs.
“The game is quite optimized, and I didn't experience a single bug, glitch, or frame drop during my entire playthrough.”
“From a technical point of view, I have zero complaints; the game is virtually bug-free, graphics are nice, and optimization is good.”
“The performance is excellent.”
“Optimization seems to be a bit lacking.”
“The overall performance of the game leaves much to be desired.”
“I encountered several bugs and frame drops that hindered my experience.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is generally considered low, with most players noting that it primarily revolves around collectibles and multiple endings. While there are some unique achievements that may encourage additional playthroughs, such as completing the game without taking damage or defeating enemies, these options appeal mainly to dedicated players. Overall, the game's length is seen as justifying its price, but it lacks substantial replay value beyond a few challenges.
“Gives great replayability :)”
“There are also apparently different achievements for beating bosses with no hits (I managed to get one on my first blind playthrough) and beating the game without killing any enemies, so the replayability is there for anyone who feels like doing that.”
“Replayability and length: the game's length justified its price.”
“There is no replay value apart from collectibles and endings.”
“Replayability is low; however, apart from a few collectibles and different endings, there's not much to the game.”
“There are also apparently different achievements for beating bosses without taking damage and completing the game without killing any enemies, but the replayability is only there for those who feel like pursuing those challenges.”
- character development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the game's character development for its stunning graphics and unique art style, drawing comparisons to films like Coraline and ParaNorman. The character designs are highlighted as a standout feature, contributing to the game's overall aesthetic and immersive world, while maintaining originality and depth.
“I was drawn to the game by the character design and Little Nightmares vibes, but this was no copy or knockoff; this was a game true to itself.”
“The graphics art style is really good and beautiful; it has this stop-motion feel to it, like Coraline and ParaNorman, especially when it comes to its character designs.”
“It also has incredible uses of color, scenery, and character designs, along with the overall design of the graphics.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
“I expected more growth and complexity from the characters, but they remained one-dimensional throughout the game.”
“The lack of meaningful choices in character development left me feeling disconnected from the story.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some enjoy the variety of puzzles and the overall fun, others feel that prolonged stealth sequences can become tedious and repetitive. Despite this, many appreciate that the game maintains engagement without becoming overly monotonous.
“While I had a lot of fun with it, at some points I felt the game was relying too much on grinding, making it slightly boring in some areas where you find yourself spending 30 minutes on continuous and tedious tasks.”
“(I 100% completed the game in my playtime. Not achievements though. Screw that tedious nonsense.)”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its amusing approach to healing, with an abundance of items scattered throughout the map that often feels excessive yet entertaining. Players find the generous item distribution both comical and practical, as it alleviates potential frustration from running out of resources.
“The funny way of handling healing adds a unique twist to the gameplay.”
“They were very generous with items (healing and battery); it got outright humorous just how many extra things were laying around on the map that I didn't need. It was a good call, because on the off chance that you managed to run out of items, you might be screwed, depending on where you were! LMAO.”
