HEARTBEAT

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 406 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
HEARTBEAT Game Cover
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"Heartbeat" is a single-player Role Playing Game with an intriguing story and amazing gameplay, featuring compelling graphics and exceptional music. As a Conjurer, maintain peace between humans and Mogwai in a recovering world, dealing with both friends and foes in this emotional and sometimes humorous journey.

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Reviews

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 406 reviews
story81 positive mentions
grinding18 negative mentions
  • The game features top-notch 2D sprites and colorful graphics that evoke a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic RPGs.
  • The characters are well-written and have distinct personalities, making the story engaging and enjoyable.
  • The game offers a mix of strategy in combat and exploration, with a variety of side quests and post-game content to keep players invested.
  • The difficulty spikes in certain areas can be frustrating, especially for players who are not prepared for the challenges.
  • Some players have reported issues with balance, feeling that certain characters or abilities are underwhelming compared to others.
  • The game's narrative can feel slow at times, with some players wishing for a more streamlined experience.
  • story253 mentions

    The story of the game is often described as charming and heartwarming, featuring a vibrant cast of characters and a mix of lighthearted and deeper themes, such as friendship, purpose, and personal growth. While some players find the narrative engaging and well-written, others note that it can start slowly and may feel predictable at times. Overall, the game is praised for its character development, world-building, and the emotional resonance of its plot, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of story-driven RPGs.

    • “The world-building and character development is on point, and you get attached to them more and more as the story progresses.”
    • “The story is really well written with multiple possible endings, most of which you can get in just one playthrough.”
    • “The story is charming, and if that doesn't pique your interest, you can skip it very easily.”
    • “My interest in the story drained as it went on.”
    • “The plot itself wasn't all that engaging for me, and neither were the side stories.”
    • “I wanted to like this game but I tired of the story and characters early on.”
  • music136 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its catchy and diverse soundtrack, which complements the charming pixel art and engaging story. While some players noted a few repetitive tracks, the overall consensus is that the music enhances the gameplay experience, with many expressing a desire to listen to the soundtrack outside of the game. The inclusion of personalized themes for characters and the ability to unlock a music player further enrich the musical experience, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The soundtrack is so good, I legit just kept listening to it after I finished the main story.”
    • “The music of Heartbeat perfectly complements the art style and story.”
    • “The music is wonderful, the art is beautiful, all feeling new yet nostalgic.”
    • “The music gets repetitive after a while.”
    • “However, the only criticism I have of the soundtrack is that there are too many tracks that are a rehash of the main theme.”
    • “Though I personally did get tired of the general battle music after a bit.”
  • gameplay123 mentions

    The gameplay of the game features a mix of traditional turn-based RPG mechanics with unique twists, such as a shapeshifting mechanic and character partnerships reminiscent of Pokémon. While some players appreciate the charming art and engaging story, others find the gameplay repetitive and simplistic, with a desire for more depth and variety. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some praising the enjoyable mechanics and others criticizing the grindy nature and lack of RPG elements.

    • “The gameplay is really well thought out and enjoyable, both the battle and puzzle mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay reminds me of Pokémon Ranger, where you don't actually have a 'team' per se but you partner with different characters that have different skills to solve different obstacles, which I enjoy immensely.”
    • “The good: adorable/stylistic art direction, easy to get into, fun puzzles, solid RPG gameplay with its own unique twists, fun story and characters.”
    • “There is an abundance of cute art and effort put into the game, but the actual gameplay is too much of a slog.”
    • “Unfortunately, the gameplay is too simplistic and yet too grindy at the same time.”
    • “The combat that makes up most of the gameplay makes one long for an auto-battle or auto-complete function, as type effectiveness isn't something you can control like in Pokémon.”
  • graphics83 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming 2D pixel art style, which evokes nostalgia reminiscent of classic titles like Pokémon and Earthbound. Reviewers highlight the vibrant colors, attention to detail, and overall aesthetic appeal, noting that the visuals enhance the game's heartwarming story and engaging gameplay. Many consider the graphics to be a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and overall experience.

    • “Memorable characters, excellent music, and gorgeous artwork make this game an unforgettable experience.”
    • “The graphics are gorgeous and take you back to the times of Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire and such.”
    • “The artwork is extremely appealing to look at, the pixel art is wonderful and the soundtrack is relaxing.”
    • “But it also shows that in the end, graphics and presentation only do so much for you.”
    • “The resolution, like typical for RPG Maker, is relatively low; therefore, it's recommended to keep the game in windowed mode, especially since it has the typical GBA-type look and you don't want to stretch that over a 4K screen.”
    • “The only issue I've encountered is a graphical glitch when operating the item or alchemy menus.”
  • emotional23 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartwarming and wholesome narrative, which resonates deeply with players, often evoking tears and nostalgia. The charming visuals, engaging music, and relatable characters enhance the experience, making it suitable for both younger audiences and adults seeking a nostalgic journey. Overall, the game successfully balances lighthearted moments with poignant themes, creating a memorable emotional ride.

    • “It was an emotional ride and I even cried at certain points for some of the characters.”
    • “This game is wholesome and heartwarming beyond words, with charming visuals, great music, and a likable cast of characters, while still providing a fun challenge at times.”
    • “You're eventually going to fall for at least one of them, becoming so emotionally attached that you'll feel what they feel, and may even be brought to tears when they experience hardships or worse.”
  • humor22 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as quirky and charming, featuring a mix of silly puns, funny dialogue, and eccentric characters that contribute to its overall appeal. However, some players feel that the humor can become repetitive and stale over time, detracting from character development. Overall, while many appreciate the light-hearted and whimsical elements, there are mixed opinions on how effectively the humor integrates with the game's deeper themes.

    • “I personally enjoyed exploring the pixely top-down 2D adventure complete with puzzles, quirky humor (an illegal fish shaped like male genitals, dramatic and diminutive (yet deceptively strong) 'tiny oni's who're prone to eating dog mogs), collection achievements, strategic turn-based battles, hidden areas, and multiple endings.”
    • “It's one of the top RPGs I've played this year and between the humor, the characters, the retro graphics, and the banging music, this game is a masterpiece in my eyes.”
    • “The story is chock-full of fun, lovable characters, and a quirky but self-aware sense of humor that I love because it doesn't feel too heavy-handed.”
    • “This game drips with really unfunny mental illness masquerading as light-hearted adventure.”
    • “There are characters who I think are supposed to be funny, but they're too old for the jokes to land, and it just makes me sad instead.”
  • grinding20 mentions

    Overall, reviews indicate that the game's grinding aspect varies significantly; while some players appreciate the minimal grinding required for achievements and main story progression, others find certain side quests and challenges tedious and grind-heavy. Many agree that the game strikes a balance, offering a mix of enjoyable gameplay with occasional grinding, particularly for completionists or specific challenges. However, the general consensus leans towards it being less grindy than typical RPGs, with a focus on faster-paced combat and quicker level progression.

    • “The design isn't grindy, and combat is much more entertaining than in the average RPG owing to a faster pace, with levels coming quickly, granting full heals, and foes being felled very quickly - they even make an effort to flee in the overworld when you're over-leveled.”
    • “This means no grinding, which is one of my favorite things in an RPG.”
    • “Unfortunately, the gameplay is too simplistic and yet too grindy at the same time.”
    • “Granted, these side-quests are extremely tedious and sometimes too cryptic; it doesn't help that there are no guides made—as far as I know—so when I needed help in finding or doing something, I had to search for the correct keywords within the Steam discussion boards.”
    • “It has a fun post-game, with my favorite part thus far being Peppy Jack (absolutely destroyed him after grinding for Mog Essence for like 3 hours).”
  • character development16 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the charming character designs and engaging writing that fosters attachment as the story unfolds. While some reviewers noted that the characters themselves may not stand out as much, the overall presentation, including dialogue and world-building, contributes to a positive experience. However, there are mixed feelings regarding the depth of character personalities, with some suggesting that the focus on design may overshadow character individuality.

    • “The world-building and character development is on point and you get attached to them more and more as the story progresses.”
    • “This game is a great time with a solid story theme and amazing characters easily helped with the stellar character design and dialogue.”
    • “Solid writing, charming character designs and overall engaging gameplay from start to finish.”
    • “I think unless you really like the character designs and you don't mind supporting hateful people, you'd be better served playing one of the many other good RPGs out there instead.”
    • “When it comes to the character designs, I couldn't tell who was a boy or a girl half the time, although eventually I learned that almost the whole cast is female.”
    • “I'm not even going to talk about character design, because you wouldn't be able to get me to stop gushing about it!”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by its vibrant and colorful art style, charming music, and a fun storyline, reminiscent of classic Pokémon games. Players appreciate the overall cute aesthetic and engaging environment, making it a delightful experience worth exploring.

    • “It has the atmosphere of a Pokémon game; the music is nice, the art is very cute and colorful, and the story is fun.”
    • “The atmosphere of this game is cool; I also think Eve is a cute character as well.”
    • “Nevertheless, it is worth a try with that colorful atmosphere.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Users report significant stability issues, noting that the game frequently freezes, which disrupts gameplay and overall experience.

    • “Too bad there are bugs where my game suddenly freezes.”
    • “Sometimes the game just freezes.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game has limited replayability compared to its Pokémon counterpart, as it features only a few playable characters. However, the strong character development and engaging writing contribute to a memorable experience, even if it doesn't encourage multiple playthroughs.

    • “Though only a few are playable, they all get their little development, and the good writing makes them all very likable.”
    • “Unlike its Pokémon equivalent, this game does not have much replay value.”
    • “Though only a few are playable, they all get their little development and the good writing makes them all very likeable.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally stable, with occasional stuttering and a rare visual bug, but no significant crashes reported.

    • “There are moments of stuttering that disrupt the gameplay experience, although I haven't encountered any crashes. I did notice a visual bug that appeared a couple of times.”
    • “The optimization is lacking, leading to inconsistent frame rates and occasional lag during intense scenes.”
    • “Despite the game's potential, the poor optimization results in frequent performance issues that detract from the overall enjoyment.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

4hMedian play time
15hAverage play time
1-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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