Skip to main content

Pyre

The stars of deep tactical gameplay and memorable story choices align in Pyre.
87%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, stability
90% User Score Based on 5,914 reviews
Critic Score 83%Based on 34 reviews

Platforms

PCPlaystation 5Playstation 4WindowsPlayStationPlayStationLinuxCloudMac OSPhoneTabletNVIDIA GeForce NOW

About

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.

Pyre screenshot
Pyre screenshot
Pyre screenshot
Pyre screenshot
Pyre screenshot
Pyre screenshot
Pyre screenshot
Pyre screenshot
Pyre screenshot
Pyre screenshot
Pyre screenshot
+3

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,914 reviews
story1.9k positive mentions
grinding96 negative mentions

  • Beautiful art style and music that enhances the emotional experience.
  • Engaging story with well-developed characters that evoke strong feelings.
  • Unique gameplay that combines visual novel elements with a sports mechanic, offering a fresh experience.
  • Gameplay can feel repetitive and clunky, especially during the 'rites' matches.
  • Heavy reliance on text and dialogue may deter players who prefer more action-oriented gameplay.
  • Difficulty spikes can be frustrating, making it hard to maintain engagement throughout the game.
  • story
    4,849 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of *Pyre* is widely praised for its depth, emotional resonance, and character development, with many players noting how it intertwines with gameplay mechanics. The narrative explores themes of redemption and freedom, allowing players to make impactful choices that shape the story's outcome, even if they lose matches. While the game features a significant amount of text and dialogue, which some may find tedious, the rich lore and engaging character arcs keep players invested in the journey through the beautifully crafted world. Overall, *Pyre* is celebrated as a unique blend of visual novel and sports game, with a compelling story that resonates with many players.

    • “The other thing that really drew me into the game is its complex story mode, especially the ways in which it made me care about each exile's reasons for escaping their banishment (protagonist and antagonist alike), which made the stakes of the actual matches feel that much higher.”
    • “The rich fantasy world is so well developed without being presented as overwhelming, and it's a true delight to slowly come to understand the world of the Commonwealth and the downside as the story goes on, both through the interactive tooltips and the different exiles' stories.”
    • “Not only that, the story's themes of corrupt governments, revolution, and criminal justice reform are ever-pertinent, and the narrative tackles these themes with a wonderful amount of hope tempered with realism.”
    • “The story is filled with a bunch of boring NPCs yapping about who knows what, sandwiched between a stupid sports ball mini-game.”
    • “The gameplay is simple but refined, with RPG elements circled around a story I have just started.”
    • “The story is presented very plainly, via dialogue alone, but by the end, the game won me over with its characters, art, story, and emotion.”
  • gameplay
    3,821 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in "Pyre" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its unique blend of visual novel elements and sports mechanics, specifically the 3v3 "rites" that resemble a fantasy basketball game. While some find the gameplay engaging and fun, especially as it evolves with character abilities and strategic depth, others criticize it for being repetitive and disconnected from the narrative, with a significant amount of time spent on dialogue rather than action. Overall, the game is praised for its stunning art, music, and storytelling, but the gameplay may not appeal to everyone, particularly those seeking a more traditional gaming experience.

    • “The gameplay is engaging and easy to pick up, and the story, oh lord, the story is incredible!”
    • “The gameplay mixes 3v3 basketball with a compelling mix of RPG elements that will keep you on your toes trying to come up with strategies throughout your whole playthrough.”
    • “The gameplay is fast, fun, and exciting, and the choose-your-own-adventure elements add a sense of agency to the narrative.”
    • “Be warned that this is 90% reading and 10% gameplay, and the gameplay is tedious at best.”
    • “The gameplay is often adrenaline-inducing and, thus, hard to put down.”
    • “The gameplay is very repetitive; it gets boring quickly.”
  • music
    2,895 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in *Pyre* has been widely praised for its exceptional quality, with many reviewers highlighting the emotional depth and variety of the soundtrack composed by Darren Korb. The integration of music with gameplay and narrative is noted as a standout feature, with songs that adapt based on player choices and character themes, enhancing the overall experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the game's strongest aspects, contributing significantly to its immersive atmosphere and storytelling.

    • “Darren Korb has outdone himself with the OST, and listening to it weeks after finishing the game still brings up memories and images of places, characters, and events from the game.”
    • “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 the Downside's many perils.”
    • “The soundtrack is simply amazing and beautiful! Each song is unique and perfectly suited to its area, character, or event.”
    • “The music in this game impressed me throughout my entire playthrough.”
    • “The soundtrack is definitely one of the game's strongest points.”
    • “The music, which is normally a high point of supergiant games, is forgettable and bland.”
  • graphics
    1,187 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in "Pyre" are consistently praised for their stunning, hand-drawn art style, vibrant colors, and intricate character designs, which create an immersive and visually captivating experience. Players appreciate the seamless integration of the visuals with the game's narrative and soundtrack, enhancing the overall emotional impact. While the aesthetics are widely celebrated, some critiques mention that the gameplay can feel secondary to the visual and narrative elements, leading to a mixed reception regarding the game's overall engagement.

    • “It's not just about the indomitably colorful and wildly creative art style, but also the character art and animations during the gameplay, that are a pleasure to watch.”
    • “The visuals, atmosphere, soundtrack, story, and dialogues are incredible.”
    • “The graphics are imaginative, artsy, and colorful, and make you stop to enjoy the moment of visual bliss.”
    • “The visuals are not clear enough, so I got stuck several times trying to dribble around, and because the court is very small, the slightest error is unforgiving.”
    • “The only real downside to the visuals is that some of the animations for conversations use the same character portrait, making it feel like the developers ran out of time to incorporate additional rest-poses for the cast.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional
    404 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of "Pyre" is widely praised for its profound storytelling and character development, which evoke strong feelings of attachment and heartbreak. Players report experiencing a range of emotions, from joy to sorrow, particularly during pivotal moments where they must make difficult choices that impact their companions' fates. The game's unique blend of visual novel elements and gameplay mechanics enhances the emotional weight of each decision, making it a memorable and deeply moving experience.

    • “The game is designed to progress regardless of whether you win or lose, so victory will be that much sweeter and defeat that much more heartbreaking, no matter which way things shake out.”
    • “You have to level up characters and then let them go - it's tough, both mechanically and emotionally in a way that weaves them together amazingly.”
    • “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.”
    • “Holy crap, what an emotional rollercoaster.”
    • “Holy crap, this is by far the most emotional game I have ever played.”
    • “At first, I thought it was going to be one of those boring story-driven games, but it turns out I was wrong, and I am glad I was.”
  • replayability
    197 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers high replayability due to its branching narrative and the significant impact of player choices on character outcomes and story endings. Many players appreciate the ability to explore different paths and endings, as well as the inclusion of a versus mode for additional gameplay variety. However, some reviews note that while the replay value is substantial, it may not appeal to everyone, particularly those who prefer a more linear experience.

    • “This is a superb fantasy sports game with enough depth and replayability to keep you wanting more once it's done.”
    • “The decisions you make determine what story elements you experience, making this game very replayable.”
    • “With multiple different endings and outcomes, the game has tremendous replayability value.”
    • “Replayability is lacking.”
    • “The campaign is a decent length and a great experience but maybe not much replayability.”
    • “Despite claims of replayability and higher difficulties, I cannot find myself replaying this game without some new features.”
  • atmosphere
    169 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "Pyre" is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive soundtracks, and rich storytelling, which together create a captivating and emotional experience. Players appreciate the game's ability to draw them into its beautifully crafted world, enhanced by unique character designs and a compelling narrative. Supergiant Games continues to excel in delivering an atmospheric experience that resonates deeply with fans of story-driven gameplay.

    • “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.”
    • “Supergiant's ability to suck you into their outstanding world-immersion and atmospheric gameplay is no small feat, something they achieve time and time again.”
    • “The atmosphere created by this music is so heavy at times, it feels like how you play will greatly affect the rest of your game.”
    • “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.”
  • character development
    141 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and engagement, with many reviewers highlighting the strong writing and unique character designs that enhance the storytelling experience. Players appreciate the meaningful choices that affect character interactions and development, creating a sense of investment in the diverse cast. While some noted a desire for more lore and a few inconsistencies, the overall consensus is that the character development is a standout feature, making it a compelling aspect of the gameplay.

    • “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 steady blend of character development, lore unveiling, and combat encounters kept my interest up until the end, no part ever outstaying its welcome.”
    • “There is a little to be desired in the way of story as I craved more lore and character development, and some characters are only present for a small portion of the game, which was unfortunate as well.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding
    100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players feeling that the balance between reading extensive lore and engaging in gameplay is skewed heavily towards the former. While some appreciate the depth of the story and character development, the frequent interruptions for dialogue and the repetitive nature of the gameplay lead to a sense of frustration and disengagement, particularly in the later stages of the game. Overall, players warn that those who dislike grinding or lengthy reading sessions may find the experience overwhelmingly tedious.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Be warned that this is 90% reading and 10% gameplay, and the gameplay is tedious at best.”
    • “The gameplay gets a bit repetitive, the dialogue and story drags, and the lore is extremely tedious.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization
    48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is generally praised, with many players reporting smooth performance even on older hardware, though some have noted occasional stuttering and performance issues. The integration of player choices and performance significantly impacts the narrative, enhancing the overall experience, while the voice acting and music contribute to a well-crafted atmosphere. Despite minor complaints, the game is considered well-optimized and engaging, making it accessible to a wide range of systems.

    • “Yet it is incredibly well optimized, and I think you should be able to run it on a notebook.”
    • “All of this centers around a core game that is mechanically unique and impeccably optimized while crafting a narrative that keeps you emotionally invested in a world shaped in meaningful ways by your 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.”
  • humor
    38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as clever, poignant, and often bittersweet, seamlessly woven into a narrative filled with memorable characters and heartfelt moments. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and the engaging interactions that balance humor with emotional depth, making for a unique and immersive experience. While some find the dialogue breaks occasionally tedious, the overall comedic elements contribute significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.

    • “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.”
  • stability
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 have noted minor glitches that are manageable, but the prevalence of significant stability problems remains a concern.

    • “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.”
  • monetization
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers praise Supergiant Games for their commitment to a fair monetization model, highlighting the absence of microtransactions and additional payments such as DLC. Players appreciate that the studio focuses on delivering a complete gaming experience without the pressure of in-game purchases, setting them apart from many AAA developers.

    • “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.”

Buy Pyre

10h Median play time
11h Average play time
11h Main story
21h Completionist
6-15h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 28 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Games Like Pyre

Transistor Image
The Banner Saga Image
Bastion Image
Masquerada: Songs and Shadows Image
Sea of Stars Image