Pyre

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 5,295 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Pyre Game Cover
The stars of deep tactical gameplay and memorable story choices align in Pyre.
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Pyre is a party-based RPG from the creators of Bastion and Transistor, where you lead a group of exiles through a mystical purgatory, competing in otherworldly battles to earn their freedom. The unique three-on-three real-time combat system demands strategic team-building and quick decision-making. With a branching story and no game overs, your choices determine who reunites with their homeland and who remains in exile.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • Linux
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,295 reviews
story1,709 positive mentions
grinding88 negative mentions
  • Incredible storytelling that evokes strong emotions and makes players care deeply about the characters.
  • Beautiful art style and stunning soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
  • Unique gameplay that combines visual novel elements with a fantasy sports game, providing a fresh and engaging experience.
  • Gameplay can feel repetitive and clunky, especially for players unfamiliar with sports mechanics.
  • The pacing can be slow due to lengthy dialogue and lore sections, which may deter some players.
  • Lack of full voice acting for all characters can make the extensive reading feel tedious at times.
  • story4,367 mentions

    The story of *Pyre* is widely praised for its depth, emotional resonance, and character development, with many reviewers highlighting the unique integration of gameplay and narrative. Players appreciate how choices made during the game, including the outcomes of the "rites," significantly impact the story, allowing for multiple endings and personalized experiences. While the game is heavily text-based and may require patience for those less inclined to reading, the rich lore and engaging storytelling make it a compelling experience for fans of narrative-driven games.

    • “I highly recommend this game for people who love reading, love a visual novel because even though it has gameplay moments full of action, the gameplay is only 20% of the game, the other 80% is reading an amazing story and great world building!”
    • “The story is original and the world is very much alive.”
    • “The story is engaging, the gameplay is intense and fun, Darren Korb knocks it out of the park with the soundtrack yet again, and I ended up blowing through the campaign in just a couple of days.”
    • “I couldn't really find myself caring about any of the characters or the story in general.”
    • “The worst part is that nothing you do really matters - the story continues, whether you win or lose.”
    • “The story kept me engaged for quite a while with the character dialogue, but the gameplay felt repetitive and uninteresting.”
  • gameplay3,486 mentions

    The gameplay in "Pyre" is a unique blend of visual novel storytelling and fast-paced, 3v3 sports mechanics, often likened to a fantasy version of basketball. While many players appreciate the innovative approach and character-driven narrative, some find the gameplay repetitive and less engaging compared to previous Supergiant titles like "Bastion" and "Transistor." Overall, the game is praised for its stunning art, music, and emotional depth, but opinions on the gameplay experience vary widely, with some players loving it and others feeling it detracts from the overall experience.

    • “The gameplay is fun and surprisingly stays fresh.”
    • “There's beauty to how the gameplay exists in strict service of its narrative impact, rather than being wholly separate; you truly care about winning because you're emotionally invested in the characters' stories.”
    • “The gameplay just isn't there.”
    • “The gameplay is unlike any I've ever seen, with a 3-vs-3 basketball-esque game being turned into a thrilling combat experience that often increased my heartbeat substantially, one that is also woven seamlessly into the game's world and doesn't stick out like a sore thumb.”
    • “The gameplay is very repetitive; it gets boring quickly.”
  • music2,617 mentions

    The music in "Pyre" has been widely praised for its exceptional quality, with many reviewers highlighting the dynamic and immersive soundtrack composed by Darren Korb. Players appreciate how the music adapts to the game's narrative and gameplay, enhancing emotional moments and character interactions. The art style and soundtrack are consistently described as stunning, contributing to the overall atmosphere and storytelling that Supergiant Games is known for.

    • “I've never seen a game where even the lyrics of their soundtrack change based on the choices you've made, that's insanely detailed, but if you already know Supergiant, it won't be a surprise to you.”
    • “The music, a staple of all Supergiant games, is as always marvelous with Darren Korb and Ashley Barrett taking us on a wonderful adventure through Downside's many perils.”
    • “The soundtrack is just astounding and will stay with you for a while.”
    • “The music is generic.”
    • “The soundtrack in particular feels drab and often times invisible in the world.”
    • “Even the music, which is normally a high point of supergiant games, is forgettable and bland.”
  • graphics1,076 mentions

    The graphics in "Pyre" are consistently praised for their stunning hand-drawn art style, vibrant colors, and intricate character designs, which are hallmarks of Supergiant Games. Reviewers highlight the beautiful visuals and immersive soundtrack as key elements that enhance the storytelling experience, although some note that the gameplay can feel secondary to the aesthetic presentation. Overall, the game's graphics are regarded as exceptional, contributing significantly to its emotional and atmospheric depth.

    • “A great mix between visual novel and a sports game with beautiful art style and animations.”
    • “The visuals, atmosphere, soundtrack, story, and dialogues are incredible.”
    • “Beautiful visuals and a very unique setting.”
    • “Was a bit unclear if it was intentional or graphical.”
    • “The only props I gave it is the art style; everything else is just mid.”
    • “I feel like Supergiant dropped the ball here by trying to cover up with an imaginative world and pretty visuals something that at the core is not that interesting.”
  • emotional369 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Pyre" is widely praised, with many players noting its profound impact through heartfelt storytelling, memorable characters, and difficult choices that evoke strong feelings. The game masterfully intertwines gameplay with narrative, making victories and losses feel significant, often leading to tears during pivotal moments, especially at the conclusion. Overall, players describe "Pyre" as a deeply moving experience that resonates long after the game ends, solidifying its place as one of the most emotionally engaging titles in gaming.

    • “There's beauty to how the gameplay exists in strict service of its narrative impact, rather than being wholly separate; you truly care about winning because you're emotionally invested in the characters' stories.”
    • “The story is emotionally compelling and delivered in the style of an interactive visual novel.”
    • “Pyre is a powerful, touching, and beautiful experience that I will never forget.”
    • “Holy crap, what an emotional rollercoaster.”
    • “Holy crap, this is by far the most emotional game I have ever played.”
  • replayability185 mentions

    The game is praised for its high replayability, largely due to the significant impact of player choices on the narrative and character outcomes, encouraging multiple playthroughs to explore different endings. While some players note that the replay value may not be as strong as in previous titles from the developer, the inclusion of various difficulty modes and a versus mode adds to its longevity. Overall, many reviewers find the game engaging enough to warrant revisiting, especially for those invested in the story and characters.

    • “Even has the option to just conduct rites and battle without any heavy burden of a story, so you can actually continue to play the game after completing the campaign, aka replayability, which is rare with story games.”
    • “Your choices matter very much, and the story changes based on them, giving replay value to see different outcomes.”
    • “The varying outcomes give the game a lot of replayability.”
    • “Replayability is lacking.”
    • “The campaign is a decent length and a great experience but maybe not much replayability.”
    • “While many choices are minor, some are not - and this does give the game an imminent level of replay value, even in the single player campaign.”
  • atmosphere154 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is universally praised, characterized by stunning hand-painted visuals, an evocative soundtrack by Darren Korb, and a deeply immersive narrative that draws players into its world. Reviewers highlight the emotional weight of the characters and the rich lore, creating a unique blend of beauty and mystique that enhances the overall experience. Supergiant Games continues to excel in crafting atmospheric environments that resonate with players, making it a standout feature of their titles.

    • “Gorgeous hand-painted landscapes accompanied by another lovely score from Darren Korb show once again that Supergiant is in a league of its own when it comes to atmosphere, while vivid, distinctive characters add surprisingly emotional weight to player choice, elevating Pyre into a true work of art.”
    • “Pyre boasts what we have all come to expect from Supergiant Games: strikingly beautiful visuals, an immersive atmosphere, gorgeous hand-drawn artwork and animations, an engaging ambience, and a strongly intertwined narrative.”
    • “The atmosphere, characters, and world created by Supergiant Games are all beautiful as always.”
    • “Dark clouds can be seen in the distance, further emphasizing the dark atmosphere slowly creeping in on the island and your group.”
    • “If you don't like the atmosphere or visuals in the trailers for some reason - the rest won't redeem it - give it a pass.”
    • “While the game does have a 'light' nature (in that the skill trees, stats and events are simple), it pulls through extraordinarily through the synergy it makes with atmosphere, gameplay and story.”
  • character development131 mentions

    Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and engagement, with players noting that each character is well-written and uniquely designed, contributing to a rich narrative experience. The interplay between character choices and story progression is highlighted, making decisions feel impactful and meaningful. Overall, the combination of stunning visuals, compelling storytelling, and intricate character arcs creates a memorable and immersive experience that resonates with players.

    • “Good conversations and character development; the world is shaped by your decisions and the characters interact depending on who you have granted their freedom.”
    • “Character development shines through every match you play and every conversation you have with them, even regarding your adversaries.”
    • “The character development of all characters was very smooth; the scenes and choices I made were all according to them too.”
    • “However, this game is basically a 3 vs. 3 colorful basketball game, with a graphic adventure (dialog, but no puzzles really) in between, then supposed choices and character development that don't seem to change anything much.”
    • “Character development is also a pain to sit through as none of it is voice acted.”
    • “Keep the overly shallow 'trinket' system and very limited choices in character development.”
  • grinding92 mentions

    The reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game can be quite tedious, with many players expressing frustration over repetitive gameplay and lengthy dialogue sections that disrupt the pacing. While some appreciate the story and character development, the overall experience is marred by the need to repeatedly engage in similar matches and read extensive lore, leading to a sense of monotony and disengagement as the game progresses. Players suggest that those who enjoy the core gameplay may still find it tiresome, especially in the later stages.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The gameplay loop can feel a little tedious in the beginning and you will have tough decisions later.”
    • “I was really intrigued and enjoyed it at first, but the game really overstayed its welcome and I found it feeling more tedious as it progressed and stopped feeling invested in the story or outcome.”
    • “The biggest downside I see is that much of the time in the game is spent reading and clicking through dialogue, which, given the game's affinity for verbose storytelling and lack of voice acting, can get quite tedious.”
  • optimization43 mentions

    The game's optimization is generally well-received, with most players reporting smooth performance and minimal stutters, allowing it to run effectively even on lower-end systems. However, some users have noted occasional performance issues and CPU usage concerns, suggesting that while the game is largely optimized, there are still areas for improvement. Overall, the combination of engaging gameplay, impactful decision-making, and strong voice performances contributes to a cohesive and immersive experience.

    • “Yet it is incredibly well optimized, and I think you should be able to run it on a notebook.”
    • “The attention to detail shown by the developers is incredible and rarely met elsewhere - for example, have you ever heard the song of the final credits tied exactly to the player's performance and choices?”
    • “Some people complained about performance issues.”
    • “The performance of the computer-controlled enemies is a bit all over the place - sometimes mercilessly exploiting your weaknesses, sometimes just staring puzzled at what you are doing.”
    • “Your choices and gameplay performance are also deeply impactful to the story as a whole, and the possibilities in terms of character endings are astounding.”
  • humor35 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and charm, with players enjoying a mix of laugh-out-loud moments and poignant storytelling. Characters are well-developed and bring a range of personalities that contribute to both comedic and heartfelt interactions, making the narrative engaging and memorable. While some players noted that the dialogue can feel tedious at times, the overall experience is enriched by the humor woven throughout the gameplay and character dynamics.

    • “This game is for you if you like a good story, fleshed out party members, and a game with color and humor.”
    • “The dialogue, vocabulary, relationships, character development, and especially the humor, are absolutely phenomenal.”
    • “It's clever, funny, and poignant.”
  • stability16 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many users reporting frequent bugs, crashes, and glitches that disrupt gameplay, such as disappearing menu options and random freezes. While it runs well on platforms like Steam Deck and Linux, the overall experience is marred by technical issues that detract from enjoyment, especially given the game's age. Some players, however, have noted minimal bugs, suggesting that experiences may vary.

    • “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “Runs great on Linux.”
    • “Truly unique combination of sport and strategy/RPG, with an entertaining narrator and bug-free mechanics.”
    • “It's still pretty buggy; I had to revert to a checkpoint multiple times because the 'exit out of menu' button randomly disappears, so you can't leave the vendor.”
    • “The game freezes randomly every so often, and of course, your progress gets wiped since the last checkpoint.”
    • “Crashes and screen freezes (I can still hear the game going, but the screen is frozen) all the time.”
  • monetization7 mentions

    Supergiant Games is praised for its commitment to a fair monetization model, with no microtransactions or additional payments for DLC, setting it apart from many AAA developers. Players appreciate the absence of monetization pressures, allowing for a more immersive gaming experience without the distraction of in-game purchases.

    • “Supergiant Games are really an indie game studio with AAA production values (minus microtransactions :)).”
    • “Pyre can be a bit addicting at times, particularly if you find yourself concerned with 100% completing the game, but there are no issues of microtransactions or additional payments of any kind.”
    • “The company that makes real games and doesn't charge for DLC and microtransactions.”
    • “Unlike many AAA game developers, Supergiant is not constantly trying to shove DLC or microtransactions down your throat, or trying to make their games with always-online DRM restrictions.”
    • “And no microtransactions.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

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Play time

9hMedian play time
9hAverage play time
11hMain story
21hCompletionist
6-15hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 24 analyzed playthroughs

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