Heartbound

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Heartbound is a single-player Role Playing game with a stunning story and fantastic mechanics, offering a wholesome tale of a boy and his dog. The game features masterful atmosphere, hilarious gags, and unique combat mini-games. With excellent visuals, inspired music, and optional cryptographic puzzles, Heartbound is a memorable experience with varying environments and an engaging narrative.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,082 reviews

story240 positive mentions

grinding7 negative mentions

The game features a compelling story that keeps players engaged and invested in the characters.
The unique mechanics for progressing through the story and the innovative combat system provide a refreshing experience.
The art style, music, and writing are beautifully crafted, creating an immersive atmosphere.

The game is still in early access, with limited content available, leading to a feeling of incompleteness.
Some players find the pacing slow, with excessive backtracking and fetch quests that can become tedious.
The character development and emotional connections may feel rushed or underdeveloped, leaving players wanting more depth.

story
510 mentions
47 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The game's story is a central focus, featuring a unique narrative that blends humor and emotional depth, drawing comparisons to titles like *Undertale* while maintaining its originality. Players appreciate the engaging characters and the impact of choices on the storyline, although some critiques highlight a lack of emotional setup for certain plot points. Overall, the story is described as compelling and rich, with many eager to see how it unfolds in future updates.
- “The storyline is really profound and all throughout the journey, little secrets and interactions are there to make the playthrough just a little bit better.”
- “The story is intense and engaging.”
- “Heartbound is a story-based RPG, which is my favorite type of game.”
- “Unfortunately, every story beat lacks the necessary 'set-up' required for the emotional payoffs they're going for.”
- “People that do like story, characters, dialogue-driven games have some other games to compare to this, and that's where this game fails dramatically, because it has such a weak engagement to the story.”
- “The story is just all over the place.”
music
210 mentions
61 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy melodies, emotional depth, and seamless integration with the gameplay and narrative. The soundtrack features over 100 original tracks that evoke nostalgia and enhance the overall experience, making it a standout aspect of the game. Players often express a desire to purchase the soundtrack separately, highlighting its quality and memorability.
- “The music conveys the intended emotions, and in a style that makes me nostalgic for 90s era SNES RPGs.”
- “The soundtrack is gorgeous, so is the scenery.”
- “The music is incredible.”
- “The soundtrack is atmospheric and fitting with a handful of absolute bangers, though the score can be derivative and painfully samey at times (looking at you, space lasers), although never so much as to actually detract from the experience.”
- “The game has proper use of music, but if you forget what you're supposed to do then you get lost and get frustrated.”
- “The music fits really well with the change of scenes as well.”
gameplay
126 mentions
35 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by its unique mechanics and a blend of engaging combat, puzzles, and dialogue, reminiscent of titles like Undertale. While many players appreciate the innovative approach and the emotional depth it brings, some criticize the limited combat encounters and reliance on fetch quests, leading to a perception of the gameplay as lacking depth. Overall, the game shows promise with its creative mechanics and storytelling, but it may benefit from more consistent gameplay elements to enhance player engagement.
- “The gameplay consists of great dialogue, amazing fights, and great puzzles.”
- “What truly sets Heartbound apart is its innovative gameplay mechanics and unexpected twists.”
- “The gameplay is extremely engaging and fun; the characters are so charming and not a single one I hate; the dialogue of interacting with items and the amount of puns had me sighing and laughing the entire time.”
- “There is no emotional attachment or grounding to any characters and the software--I really can't call it a game at this point in development--so all of the heavy-handed emotional support/tearing down and tedious fetch quest gameplay feels oddly amateur.”
- “As a result of the lack of enemies to fight or things to do, the gameplay mostly turns into a bunch of boring fetch quests, which become even more annoying due to the player’s slow walk speed, a few okay minigames, and puzzles that are often too simple and not novel enough to be interesting.”
- “However, in its current early-access state, there exist maybe 30 minutes of exciting, driven gameplay; and nearly an hour of slow walks through annoying-yet-good-looking mazes padded by repetitive and useless dialogue boxes.”
graphics
107 mentions
59 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and charming art style, which blends nostalgic pixel art with modern aesthetics, reminiscent of classic titles like Earthbound and Undertale. Reviewers highlight the detailed animations, vibrant colors, and expressive character designs, noting that the visuals significantly enhance the storytelling and overall experience. Many express a deep appreciation for the effort put into the artwork, describing it as beautiful, engaging, and a key draw of the game.
- “The colors and the art style are above and beyond what I was initially expecting.”
- “This game is absolutely beautiful, with amazing sprite art blending Nintendo's Earthbound art style with anime art style, the story is amazing.”
- “The art style is charming and is able to be adorable yet intense at the same time, the story is well written and impacted in a way that no other game has, and the music is beautiful, each song fits into every situation perfectly.”
- “Quite frankly, I'd prefer if they just made the game from beginning to end even if they had to use placeholder graphics so at least the story and basic mechanics would be complete if they never finished it.”
- “The graphics are amazing and are reminiscent of 2D games of the past with new and refreshing out-of-the-box approaches to old concepts; the way the graphics are used to convey narrative is very well done and is a clear indicator that both creator and artist are very well versed in their craft.”
- “Some may be tired of the pixel art aesthetic, but this style goes above and beyond that and feels like hand-crafted pieces of art that just so happen to be made of pixels.”
humor
90 mentions
99 % positive mentions
-2 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with many players praising its witty dialogue, clever puns, and charming character interactions that evoke laughter and emotional connection. While some found the humor to be hit-or-miss or overly reliant on surface-level gags, the overall consensus highlights a delightful blend of lightheartedness and deeper themes, reminiscent of classics like *Earthbound* and *Undertale*. The game's ability to balance humor with serious moments adds to its appeal, making it a recommended experience for fans of story-driven RPGs.
- “The characters are also fun and the puns are actually funny, which is extraordinarily rare.”
- “The dialogue is hilarious, obviously written by an older nerd.”
- “The humor in Heartbound is strong, and is best experienced when one interacts with most of the objects and characters.”
- “The humor in this game falls flat; it tries too hard to be funny but ends up being cringeworthy.”
- “I expected some clever jokes, but most of the humor feels forced and unoriginal.”
- “The comedic elements are hit or miss, and unfortunately, they mostly miss the mark.”
emotional
67 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartfelt narrative, engaging characters, and ability to evoke strong feelings, often leading players to tears. While many appreciate the uplifting dialogue and charming art, some critiques highlight a lack of character development and emotional grounding, which can detract from the intended impact. Overall, the game is seen as a touching experience that resonates deeply with players, particularly those who enjoy stories of friendship and healing.
- “This simple little game on the outside hides an emotional roller coaster you didn't know you needed to experience.”
- “The game's narrative is an emotional rollercoaster, tugging at heartstrings and keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout the journey.”
- “The story itself is very touching, dealing with the idea of losing your friend and doing anything to get them back, as well as some other themes that are touched on, but I'm sure will be more fleshed out as soon as more content is released.”
character development
17 mentions
59 % positive mentions
24 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its engaging design and storytelling, which effectively draws players into the world and its inhabitants. While many appreciate the unique and visually appealing character designs, some critiques highlight a need for deeper backstory and emotional connections, particularly for antagonists and main characters, to enhance the overall narrative impact. Overall, the combination of stunning visuals and meaningful choices contributes to a rich character development experience, though some players desire more depth in certain relationships.
- “The character design and story are well done, making me want to learn more about this world and what other characters are inhabiting it.”
- “Wonderful experience, wonderful character development and art style, and limitless possibilities story-wise!”
- “The book is not at all as interesting as say Flowey is, and antagonists like your mom needed a lot more build-up, reasons to dislike her, and reasons to sympathize with her, along with character development for the main character and his father, to make the moment you forgive her and your father comes to stand up for you meaningful and interesting.”
- “Every choice, every action, has a meaningful impact on the narrative and lore's character development.”
- “However, what did catch my attention the most was the character design; the fact that the devs made the characters look unique and intriguing (from Joe to Lore's mom to even the little mushroom boy or the animals) astonishes me.”
atmosphere
12 mentions
75 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and quirky qualities, reminiscent of titles like Undertale and Earthbound. Players appreciate the combination of engaging music, beautiful art, and interesting characters that create a cohesive and addictive experience. While some note that certain musical elements can feel repetitive, the overall ambiance enhances the enjoyment and emotional connection to the game.
- “I love everything about this game from its cheesy dialogue to its wonderful atmosphere.”
- “The settings and music work perfectly together to create an immersive atmosphere, and the little easter eggs are fun to discover.”
- “I love the atmosphere, the music, and the art... it all just flows together really well and it's amazing!”
- “Even in the rather boring, foot-dragging atmosphere of Tower Corp.”
replayability
12 mentions
42 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability due to its intricate character interactions and branching paths, although some paths may not drastically alter the story. Players appreciate the reactive world and the multitude of choices available, which contribute to a sense of value and encourage exploration of different outcomes. While currently short, the potential for expanded content and decision-making is expected to enhance replay value further upon full release.
- “The replayability and detail in character interactions are some of the best in this genre.”
- “The world and characters are very reactive to how you move and act, so there's massive replay value.”
- “I continue to be impressed at the amount of content and replayability aspects of this game.”
- “Sometimes you can go down a different branching path which adds some replayability, but these branching paths aren’t that different and don’t seem to affect the story.”
- “Although short at the moment, it provides choices and differing results that allow for replayability, which is only expected to improve once the full product is released and decisions come full circle.”
- “You could miss small things that change the path the player takes, giving it more replay value.”
grinding
8 mentions
0 % positive mentions
13 % neutral mentions
88 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is largely viewed as tedious and lacking emotional engagement, with players expressing a desire for more content to alleviate the monotony. While some appreciate the exploration and backtracking elements, they note that the absence of a run feature exacerbates the grind, making tasks feel laborious. Overall, the game is criticized for its reliance on repetitive tasks, contrasting with more engaging titles that minimize grinding.
- “There is no emotional attachment or grounding to any characters and the software--I really can't call it a game at this point in development--so all of the heavy-handed emotional support/tearing down and tedious fetch quest gameplay feels oddly amateur.”
- “There is very little here except different choices, and far-too-tedious walk in darkness sections abound.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
optimization
3 mentions
33 % positive mentions
-33 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players note that optimization in the game is reflected in various aspects, such as performance in minigames and boss encounters, which influence the character's traits. Many users appreciate the ongoing improvements and updates, highlighting enhancements in gameplay mechanics, storyline depth, and additional routes. Overall, the game shows a commitment to refining the player experience through consistent optimization efforts.
- “From your performance in minigames, facing bosses, and the time you spend in an area, you are defining how your character is—fast or slow, sneaky.”
- “From your performance in minigames, facing bosses, and the time you spend in an area, you are defining how the game feels—fast or slow, sneaky.”
- “I find myself launching it occasionally to see what has changed, finding an improvement here, optimization there, a storyline fleshed out more, or an alternate route added.”
- “Optimization?”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as feeling like a cash grab, with players expressing a lack of engagement and emotional investment in the characters and choices, despite ongoing development efforts. This has led to skepticism about the game's value and purpose beyond profit.
- “I would've called it a cash grab off of another game's popularity if it was any other game, but the development has been so active for such a long time that I genuinely don't understand why they decided to do this.”
- “Since nothing interesting ever happened and I didn't care about any character, I didn't feel like my choices mattered; I only know they did because I was told so by the game's advertising.”
stability
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with regular updates addressing glitches and bugs promptly. While some minor issues persist, they do not significantly detract from the experience, suggesting that the game is on track for a successful full release.
- “Updates are coming regularly, and glitches are fixed consistently, usually within the next patch.”
- “It's a bit buggy here and there, with tiny flaws, but the game's full of twists and turns that could lead to a major breakthrough once the full release is out.”