Heartbound
- December 23, 2018
- Pirate Software
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Heartbound" is a non-traditional RPG following a boy and his dog on adventures, with unique mini-game combat and story changes through exploration. The game also features cryptographic puzzles to be solved by the community, and varies in environments with unique pixel art and inspired soundtrack. It explores the emotional impact of doing something terrible to someone who loves you, with a mix of gags and humor.
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The environments and music are beautiful, creating an immersive experience.
- The game has a lot of potential with interesting characters and a compelling story.
- The unique combat system and engaging puzzles add depth to the gameplay.
- The game feels unfinished, with limited content and only a few hours of gameplay available.
- There is a lack of character development and emotional connection, making it hard to care about the story.
- The pacing can be slow, with tedious backtracking and a lack of clear direction.
- story799 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its emotional depth, engaging characters, and unique narrative style reminiscent of titles like *Undertale*. However, some critiques highlight issues with pacing, coherence, and the need for further development, as the game is still in early access. Overall, while the story shows promise and captivates many players, it also leaves room for improvement in clarity and structure.
“The rich story, interesting characters and quests, and overall attention to detail in all of the major and minor dialogue make this game worth every penny and minute.”
“Heartbound is a beautiful story-driven game that gives you many choices and routes.”
“The story is heartfelt and honestly pulled several twists and 'what?!' on me and what not, I can't wait to see what comes next.”
“You're thrown into this confusing story, and are doing tasks for what reason?”
“The story is just all over the place.”
“The pacing of the story doesn't feel right.”
- music337 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beauty, variety, and ability to enhance the overall experience. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, describing it as immersive, catchy, and perfectly fitting for different environments and emotional moments. Overall, the music is considered a significant strength of the game, contributing to its charm and depth.
“The music is fantastic, the art is a take on the newer styles that are seen in indie games, and the plot is something that keeps you interested.”
“The music, visuals, and story are all great.”
“The soundtrack is gorgeous, so is the scenery.”
“The quality of the art and music of the game is almost deceitful as it drives people to purchase a hollow shell of a product.”
“The soundtrack of the game, from what I experienced, is sort of middle of the road; it’s not stellar by any means, but it fits. There are a few areas where the soundtrack gets pretty good, which is why I’m giving it a more generous rating.”
“The game has proper use of music, but if you forget what you're supposed to do, then you get lost and get frustrated.”
- gameplay204 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a lack of substantial content and engaging mechanics. While some appreciate the unique combat and puzzle elements, others criticize the gameplay for being overly simplistic, repetitive, or lacking in depth, often feeling more like a walking simulator with minimal interaction. Overall, the game shows potential with its story and artistic elements, but many players feel it needs more robust gameplay to fully realize its promise.
“The gameplay is crisp and responsive; it is developed for compatibility with a wide range of hardware.”
“Heartbound provides a unique, out-of-the-box battle mechanics, especially in boss battles.”
“The gameplay and visuals have variety, so it doesn't get stale.”
“There's very little content and almost no gameplay.”
“The game itself leaves a lot to be desired; the majority of the gameplay is walking around (slowly) back and forth, interacting with an object/character for some story or one-liners.”
“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.”
- graphics167 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their charming and nostalgic pixel art style, reminiscent of classic 16-bit games while incorporating modern depth and detail. Many reviewers highlight the beautiful character designs, vibrant colors, and engaging animations that enhance the overall storytelling experience. Overall, the visuals are described as a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and emotional impact.
“The graphics are amazing and the story just sucks you in.”
“The artwork in Heartbound is without a doubt one of the prettiest I've seen in gaming.”
“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.”
“I cannot go much into the game as it has to be experienced to understand it, but it is a game made in Game Maker, having graphics similar to Stardew Valley and many of these RPG Maker look-alikes.”
“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.”
- humor138 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with many players highlighting its clever dialogue, puns, and quirky character interactions that balance lightheartedness with deeper themes. While some found the humor to be hit-or-miss, with certain jokes feeling repetitive or poorly executed, the overall consensus is that the game successfully incorporates a mix of funny and heartfelt moments, reminiscent of classics like *Earthbound* and *Undertale*. Players enjoy the humor's ability to provide relief amidst serious narratives, making it a standout feature of the game.
“Very funny game, with lots of puns everywhere.”
“The humor is also really well thought out, which isn't done that often in video games, but this one does it very well.”
“The game has a great sense of humor and has witty dialogue.”
“The jokes were so unfunny.”
“I love the 'lore,' ha ha ha (I'm not funny).”
- emotional119 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players noting its heartfelt story, charming characters, and the ability to evoke strong feelings, including tears. However, some reviewers express frustration over the pacing and emotional setup, feeling that moments meant to be impactful often lack the necessary buildup, leading to emotional whiplash. Overall, the game is described as an emotional rollercoaster that resonates deeply with players, reminiscent of classics like Undertale and Celeste.
“I cried over a video game opening because I felt things I hadn't felt since he died.”
“The game's narrative is an emotional rollercoaster, tugging at heartstrings and keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout the journey.”
“Heartbound is an incredibly touching game about a boy trying to save his dog, and the emotions I've experienced so far rival that of Undertale.”
- character development22 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted as a strong point, with many reviewers praising the unique and visually appealing character designs that enhance the storytelling. However, some critiques mention a lack of depth in certain characters, particularly antagonists, suggesting that more build-up and emotional context would improve the overall impact of character arcs. Overall, the combination of engaging character design, meaningful choices, and a vibrant world contributes to a rich narrative experience, despite some inconsistencies in character depth.
“The character design and story are well done, making me want to learn more about this world and what other characters are inhabiting it.”
“Every choice, every action, has a meaningful impact on the narrative and lore's character development.”
“They will then get 7 episodes worth of character development in the span of 1 minute.”
“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.”
“Heartbound is a game that ignores the random encounters many other RPGs have, replacing them with unique mini-game styled boss battles and character development and world building.”
- atmosphere19 mentions
- 68 % positive mentions
- 16 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its blend of friendliness and danger, creating an immersive experience that resonates with fans of titles like Undertale and Omori. Reviewers highlight the captivating music, quirky art style, and engaging characters, all of which contribute to a rich and addictive ambiance. While some note occasional repetitiveness in the soundtrack, the overall atmosphere is described as beautiful and well-crafted, enhancing the emotional depth of the story.
“I love the atmosphere, the music, the characters, the story, and the mystery behind it :) It's simply amazing that this game exists and I'm glad that it's still a work in progress after all these years.”
“The settings and music work perfectly together to create an immersive atmosphere, and the little easter eggs are fun to discover.”
“Even in the rather boring, foot-dragging atmosphere of Tower Corp.”
“The atmosphere of the game is quirky and weird like Earthbound and Undertale, but I feel like this game takes it a step further by having the main character (Lore) actually have his own personality.”
“The vibe of each setting is phenomenal, and I love the atmosphere they have created.”
- replayability15 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find it linear with limited value after the first playthrough, others praise the depth of character interactions and branching paths that enhance replay potential. Many reviews highlight the intricate coding of interactions and choices that lead to unique experiences, suggesting a strong replay value, especially as the game evolves. Overall, the consensus leans towards a promising replayability, particularly with the anticipation of more content in the 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.”
“It is completely linear, and once you have beaten it one time, there is likely to be no replay value.”
“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.”
- grinding14 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
Overall, players express mixed feelings about grinding in the game. While some appreciate the absence of traditional grinding mechanics, allowing for a focus on story and skill-based combat, others find certain aspects, like slow walking and tedious fetch quests, to be frustrating and detracting from the experience. The game is noted for its exploration and backtracking, but many feel that improvements, such as a run button, could enhance the overall enjoyment.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Probably my only gripe - and it's a tiny one - is that walking around can be a bit tedious and slow in sections where it doesn't need to be at all.”
“There is very little here except different choices, and far-too-tedious walk in darkness sections abound.”
“And these tedious dark mazes are straight-up both just boring and annoying.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that the game's optimization is solid, with no significant performance issues noted. Players appreciate the ongoing improvements and variations in gameplay, which enhance their experience and engagement with the game.
“From your performance in minigames, facing bosses, and the time you spend in an area, you are defining how he is—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.”
“I find myself launching it occasionally to see what has changed, finding an improvement here, optimization there, a story-line fleshed out more, or an alternate route added.”
“I'm already feeling the variation of alignments & performances in runs.”
“Optimization?”
- monetization5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn criticism for feeling overly reliant on advertisements, leading some players to perceive it as a cash grab despite enjoying the gameplay. Users express frustration over the lack of meaningful choices and character engagement, suggesting that the focus on monetization detracts from the overall experience.
“I do like the game, it is fun and cozy, but this is starting to feel like a cash grab for a limited amount of gameplay.”
“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.”
“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.”
- stability5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that the game's stability is commendable for an early access title, with only minor bugs and glitches noted. Regular updates and prompt fixes contribute to a positive experience, suggesting that the developers are attentive to player feedback and committed to improving the game. Many players express excitement for the game's future, indicating confidence in its stability as it continues to develop.
“Bit buggy here and there, tiny flaws but the game's full of twists and turns that makes it sure to blow up as soon as the full release is out.”
“Updates are coming regularly and glitches are fixed regularly and not more than the next patch away.”
“Early access does not mean that the game is buggy, it just means that it doesn't have all its content yet.”
