Sayonara Wild Hearts

Sayonara Wild Hearts is a perfect experience. It may not last long, but it will certainly draw you in with its story, keep you there with its variety of gameplay, and then bring the entire experience together with its amazing visuals and music.

89%Game Brain Score

music, gameplay

grinding, monetization

96% User Score Based on 3,780 reviews

Critic Score 82%Based on 24 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $12.99

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Buy NowGet on PS Store$12.99

About

"Sayonara Wild Hearts" is a pop album video game where you play as a heart-broken pop star riding motorcycles, skateboarding, and dancing across a beautifully designed world. The game features fast-paced, rhythm-based gameplay and a vibrant soundtrack as you journey through a surreal universe to find the meaning of love and loss. With its unique blend of music and action, "Sayonara Wild Hearts" is a unique and exhilarating experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,804 reviews

music1.3k positive mentions

grinding12 negative mentions

Stunning visuals and an incredible soundtrack create a mesmerizing experience.
Gameplay is varied and engaging, with each level introducing new mechanics.
The game effectively conveys themes of heartbreak and self-discovery through its narrative and design.

The game is very short, typically completed in under two hours, which may disappoint some players.
Controls can feel imprecise and floaty, making it difficult to navigate certain sections.
The rapid changes in gameplay mechanics and camera angles can be disorienting for some players.

music
2,434 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
47%
1%
The music in "Sayonara Wild Hearts" is widely praised for its vibrant, catchy pop soundtrack that enhances the game's immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the seamless integration of music with gameplay, creating a unique audiovisual journey that feels like an interactive music video. While some players note that the gameplay can be simplistic, the stunning visuals and emotional depth of the soundtrack make it a memorable experience, appealing to both music lovers and gamers alike.
- “An energetic rhythmic arcade-style game with an all-time great soundtrack and stunning visuals and animations.”
- “A wonderful synthesis of music and style.”
- “The experience, music, and gameplay are executed so flawlessly that I’m still in awe that this masterpiece exists.”
- “The music is too loud and distracting.”
- “The music, while not my style, had some moments I liked.”
- “The soundtrack is decent but rather generic, and the visuals can be quite harsh at times.”
gameplay
960 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
63%
3%
The gameplay of "Sayonara Wild Hearts" is characterized by its simplicity and variety, featuring a blend of mechanics that shift frequently across levels, keeping the experience fresh and engaging. While some players appreciate the seamless integration of gameplay with the vibrant visuals and catchy soundtrack, others find the mechanics too shallow or repetitive, leading to mixed feelings about its depth and challenge. Overall, the game is seen as more of an artistic experience than a traditional game, appealing to those who value aesthetics and music over complex gameplay.
- “The art style, the music, the gameplay, they all fit together as one to make you feel the love and energy the devs wanted us to feel.”
- “Each level introduces new mechanics while also referencing old ones, but it's never overwhelming you with insanely hard things.”
- “The gameplay is simple yet extremely varied through each level, combined with the astounding visuals and fantastic soundtrack.”
- “Unfortunately, while I am 'okay' with the music (again, not my style, but I can appreciate what it's doing), the gameplay has deep design flaws that resulted in a frustrating experience.”
- “The gameplay itself is extremely boring and easy, the kind you could play with your eyes closed.”
- “The gameplay is deceptively simple, and I know I will have to grind for a while if I want to unlock all of this game's achievements.”
graphics
872 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
39%
The graphics of "Sayonara Wild Hearts" are widely praised for their stunning, vibrant, and psychedelic aesthetic, which seamlessly integrates with the game's energetic soundtrack. Players describe the visuals as a captivating blend of neon colors and unique art styles that enhance the overall experience, creating a synesthetic journey that is both beautiful and immersive. However, some users note that the intense visuals can be overwhelming at times, potentially causing discomfort for sensitive players.
- “The visuals are stunning, the music is phenomenal, the mechanics are intuitive enough that a lack of a tutorial doesn't hurt the experience, and I enjoyed the story the game told me.”
- “Sayonara Wild Hearts is a synthwave wonder and a visual and auditory experience that sets itself apart from its contenders with pure polish and aesthetic wonder.”
- “The synergy between the visuals, gameplay, and music raises the bar for the genre.”
- “The graphics are too flashy, with a billion colors on screen; it’s a miracle I haven’t seized up and died yet.”
- “Warning that some levels can strain the eyes, and visuals can potentially cause a headache if you are sensitive to it.”
- “The visuals are pretty, but detract from the gameplay a lot.”
story
545 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
66%
2%
The story of "Sayonara Wild Hearts" is often described as abstract and open to interpretation, focusing on themes of heartbreak, self-discovery, and personal growth, conveyed through vibrant visuals and a captivating soundtrack. While some players find the narrative minimal and lacking depth, many appreciate its emotional resonance and the way it intertwines with the gameplay, creating a unique experience that feels both personal and relatable. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a blend of artistic expression and emotional journey, making it a memorable part of the game despite its brevity.
- “I have never in my life played a game that left my mouth hanging wide open like a fool almost every single level, but the level of novelty and inventiveness here is truly unbelievable, and it tops itself each and every step of the way, with a subtly told and beautifully simple story to boot.”
- “The story is beautiful and heart touching.”
- “It's a love letter to classic arcade games, draped in dazzling visuals, always moving to the beat of a wonderful soundtrack, while telling a very relatable and human story.”
- “I say overrated because there isn't much of a story here and the gameplay is pretty basic.”
- “The story makes absolutely no sense.”
- “The actual gameplay seriously lacks substance... there's not much of a story to speak of.”
emotional
207 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Sayonara Wild Hearts" is widely praised for its ability to evoke deep feelings through a combination of stunning visuals, a captivating soundtrack, and a heartfelt narrative. Many players report experiencing intense emotional reactions, including tears, as they connect with the game's themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, despite its abstract storytelling. Overall, it is described as a unique and immersive emotional journey that resonates profoundly with players, making it a memorable experience.
- “The last level made me genuinely emotional.”
- “It's a wonder how they made a game with no dialogue be so moving and emotional.”
- “Sayonara Wild Hearts is more than just a game; it's an emotional experience that resonates deeply.”
replayability
172 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
58%
3%
Sayonara Wild Hearts is praised for its high replayability, despite its short playtime of around 1 to 1.5 hours. Players are encouraged to return to the game to achieve higher scores, unlock collectibles, and complete various challenges, including zodiac riddles and rank systems. The engaging gameplay, stunning visuals, and excellent soundtrack further enhance the desire to replay, making it a worthwhile experience for both casual players and completionists.
- “The desire to achieve higher scores and unlock all the secrets adds to the game's replay value, making it a joy to come back to.”
- “Sayonara Wild Hearts is a short game packed with tons of replayability.”
- “The main campaign can be completed in about an hour to an hour and a half, encouraging replayability.”
- “Even though the main game is fairly short (1.5 hours-ish), there's quite a bit of replay value between collectibles, ranks, and riddle-based achievements.”
- “The only downside I can think of is that it can be beaten in an hour, but there is a lot of replay value and hidden achievements to find.”
atmosphere
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
27%
14%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently described as dreamy and vibrant, enhanced by a stunning neon aesthetic and an exceptional soundtrack that captivates players. While many reviewers appreciate how the music and visuals create an immersive experience, some note that the focus on gameplay can occasionally detract from fully enjoying the atmosphere. Overall, the game's combination of art style, sound, and emotional depth contributes to a unique and engaging environment.
- “The atmosphere is dreamy; it's effective at distracting me from the gameplay.”
- “Sayonara Wild Hearts is a rhythm game that hooks you in with its neon aesthetic and wonderful soundtrack, keeping you interested with varied settings and set pieces that accentuate its unique atmosphere.”
- “The soundtrack is gorgeous, and I was sometimes simply soaking in the atmosphere, listening to the vibe while watching the beautiful art.”
- “This totally ruins the game's flow and atmosphere.”
- “It's been a while since a game with almost no dialogues gave such strong emotions or atmosphere.”
- “Jonathan Eng and Daniel Olsén absolutely killed the atmosphere, and Linnea Olsén does an immaculate job on the game's vocals.”
optimization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance, achieving locked 60fps even at 4K resolution, and providing a battery-efficient experience on devices. Players appreciate the design that encourages score optimization and revisiting levels, although some report performance issues on specific levels and a lack of optimization for keyboard and mouse controls. Despite these minor setbacks, the game is generally free of bugs and offers a responsive experience for players.
- “You don't worry about score, dying, etc.; by a 'challenge game', I mean one where you're trying to optimize the score, or at least going for 'gold rank' in each level, actively engaged in your performance.”
- “+ Well optimized - 6 to 8 hours of battery on my LCD deck and still runs at locked 60fps if you push the resolution to 4k!”
- “Each level has hidden collectibles and challenges that encourage players to revisit and perfect their performance.”
- “I also experienced quite a few performance issues on the final level, and I'm using a fairly new PC.”
- “I would say the largest issue with the game is that while you're part of the performance, the game expects you to know all the choreography from the start.”
- “- not optimized for kbm”
grinding
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
92%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, especially when aiming for gold ranks, which often requires multiple attempts and a significant investment of time. While some enjoy the challenge and the pursuit of 100% completion, others feel that the repetitive nature of grinding detracts from the overall experience, particularly given the game's short length. Overall, the grinding can be rewarding for dedicated players but may frustrate those who prefer a more casual approach.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Unfortunately, I hate rhythm games and grinding for gold ranks, so since the game is only 1 hour long... I'm refunding it.”
- “My time so far has been spent tediously restarting levels, insisting on getting gold rank before moving on because the game simply will not shut up about what rank you got, and the levels are nearly impossible to gold rank on the first try thanks to surprise twists.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
92%
25%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding it both hilarious and original, often laughing at its quirky animations and mechanics. While some describe the humor as a bit "girly," it adds to the game's charm, making it a lighthearted experience that contrasts with more serious titles. Overall, the game's comedic elements, including its unique design choices, contribute to its fun and engaging gameplay.
- “Very funny game.”
- “Hilarious and original.”
- “Short and funny, this game is perfect.”
- “The humor in this game falls flat, relying on tired clichés that just aren't funny.”
- “I found the jokes to be forced and unoriginal, making it hard to enjoy the comedic moments.”
- “The attempts at humor often miss the mark, leaving me more confused than amused.”
character development
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
9%
27%
The character development in the game is highlighted by its striking design and animation, which draw inspiration from various artistic influences, including synth-pop and retro aesthetics. Players appreciate the depth and heart infused into the characters, complemented by a narrative that explores themes of heartbreak and self-reconciliation. While the visuals and choreography are praised for their creativity and fluidity, some users noted minor issues with model polish, but overall, the character design significantly enhances the game's immersive experience.
- “There's so much heart put into every single second of this game; the visuals vividly pop out of the screen with all these insane cinematic shots and breathtaking character designs/animations, the gameplay takes a simplistic control scheme and pushes it to its limit, seemingly introducing a new game mechanic with every single stage, the soundtrack absolutely slaps, and it's all tied together by a narrative about heartbreak and self-reconciliation that's hard to not feel something from.”
- “Strong background story and character development - check.”
- “The art style is gorgeous indie retro without being obnoxiously 80s, the music is fantastic synth-pop and they are blended perfectly.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters on a personal level.”
- “While the visuals are stunning, the character arcs are predictable and fail to evolve throughout the game.”
- “I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful choices in character development, which made the experience feel linear and unengaging.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The monetization in these games is often criticized as predatory and exploitative, focusing on cash grabs that prey on player addiction. In contrast, some players appreciate titles like "Lara Croft: Relic Run" for their lack of microtransactions, highlighting a preference for games that prioritize quality and player experience over aggressive monetization strategies.
- “I really missed playing 'Lara Croft: Relic Run', and this is very similar in a lot of ways, but with more gorgeous graphics, great music, and no microtransactions!”
- “Even though these games are predatory low-effort cash grabs that feed off of your addiction, people will still only hear and talk about them.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users generally report that the game is stable and bug-free, indicating a smooth gameplay experience without significant technical issues.

82%Critics’ scoreBased on 24 critic reviews

Buy Sayonara Wild Hearts

3h Median play time

4h Average play time

1h Main story

10h Completionist

2-7h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 21 analyzed playthroughs

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