The Pathless

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 830 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • music
The Pathless Game Cover
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In "The Pathless," you play as the Hunter, a skilled archer on a mission to lift a curse from a mystical island. Solve puzzles, outrun beasts, and explore the open world to discover hidden secrets and unlock new abilities. With elegant motion-based controls and a breathtaking original soundtrack, this game offers a unique and immersive adventure.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 830 reviews
gameplay118 positive mentions
grinding27 negative mentions
  • Stunning visuals and art style that create a captivating atmosphere.
  • Fluid movement mechanics that make traversal enjoyable and engaging.
  • Great soundtrack composed by Austin Wintory that enhances the overall experience.
  • Repetitive gameplay loop with similar puzzles and boss fights that can feel tedious.
  • Lack of a map or clear guidance can lead to aimless wandering.
  • The story is simplistic and lacks depth, making it less impactful.
  • gameplay322 mentions

    The gameplay in "The Pathless" is characterized by its fun and fluid movement mechanics, primarily involving shooting talismans to gain speed and navigate the beautifully crafted open world. While the combat and puzzles are generally easy and can become repetitive, the overall experience is engaging and relaxing, making it suitable for players seeking a less challenging adventure. The game excels in its visual presentation and atmosphere, though some players may find the simplicity of its mechanics lacking in depth over extended play sessions.

    • “The Pathless is one of the great adventures that captivates with its breathtaking semi-open worlds and fun gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is crafted by carefully mixing the puzzle elements with action and platforming resulting in a unique experience.”
    • “The movement mechanics are tons of fun and don't get stale; you can get around large areas with sufficient effort that doesn't feel onerous.”
    • “The gameplay is very basic and repetitive.”
    • “The gameplay consists of nothing more than tedious token-finding and puzzle-solving.”
    • “The core gameplay loop is the same in each one: explore a vast open area in search of lightstones to restore power to three obelisks that will weaken the corrupted god in that area, giving you the opportunity to defeat them in combat and release them from their curse.”
  • story253 mentions

    The story in "The Pathless" is generally described as simple and straightforward, often following familiar tropes of good versus evil, but it is presented in a visually captivating and engaging manner. While some players appreciate the environmental storytelling and the emotional connection fostered through exploration, others find the narrative lacking depth and originality. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful aesthetics and atmospheric world, which enhance the experience of the relatively basic plot.

    • “For as you progress, you gain enhanced ways of traversing the lands, and the environmental storytelling is very interesting. I found myself deeply engaged with the unfolding story from start to finish.”
    • “The story is sweet, and the lore/backstory you can find around the world enhances it and makes the main villain feel less evil and more misguided.”
    • “With its stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and powerful storytelling, this title is a true masterpiece that is sure to stay with you long after the credits roll.”
    • “The story is mostly delivered through literal walls of text everywhere and ghosts, so it's definitely a 'tell, don't show' story.”
    • “The story is very simplistic as well.”
    • “There are no connections to be substantially made with any area or character in the game beyond looking pretty, and it's super disappointing considering how much potential the story has.”
  • music208 mentions

    The music in the game has been universally praised for its beauty and emotional depth, with many reviewers highlighting the exceptional work of composer Austin Wintory. The soundtrack is described as hauntingly beautiful, immersive, and perfectly complements the game's stunning visuals and storytelling, creating a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. While some players noted that certain tracks may not be memorable outside of gameplay, the majority agree that the music is a standout feature that elevates the game to a masterpiece level.

    • “Every element—from the enchanting story to the breathtaking graphics and mesmerizing soundtrack—feels like a true work of art.”
    • “The game's ethereal music and minimalist visuals weave together, creating an enchanting tapestry that lures you into a captivating embrace.”
    • “The music is absolutely beautiful and captivating the entire time, and the gameplay makes something as simple as walking through the map an exciting experience.”
    • “The music in 'The Pathless' just doesn't resonate with me.”
    • “The most baffling decision for me was the choice to stop playing the music in each plateau after you've cleansed them of the curse and beat the boss in each area.”
    • “With little reason to explore the world already, no music just made it even worse, and I fail to see any reason why it shouldn't continue to play the music given how good it is (unless my game was bugged somehow?)”
  • graphics186 mentions

    The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their stunning art style, vibrant colors, and immersive environments, often compared to the aesthetics of titles like *Journey* and *Abzu*. Many players appreciate the seamless integration of visuals with gameplay and music, creating a captivating experience, although some have noted minor issues with camera handling and control. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal.

    • “Every element—from the enchanting story to the breathtaking graphics and mesmerizing soundtrack—feels like a true work of art.”
    • “The game's art style is simply gorgeous, with a vibrant color palette and beautifully detailed environments that truly transport you to another world.”
    • “The visuals are absolutely the game's most striking and defining feature and I applaud the style and scale.”
    • “Only 5 minutes in and I was already sure this game is not for me; control, camera handling, graphics, storytelling all feel like this is just an alpha build.”
    • “The visuals, movement, and music are absolutely enjoyable, but that's really all the meat there is to it - and really rather lean at that.”
    • “The game's presentation, while crisp and pretty, doesn't quite reach the ethereal beauty of Abzû, so think of it as a mild rebalancing between aesthetics and gameplay.”
  • atmosphere42 mentions

    The atmosphere of "The Pathless" is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and serene yet dynamic environments that enhance the gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a mythical and fluid atmosphere, complemented by a beautiful soundtrack that elevates exploration and boss encounters. Overall, the game's art direction and world-building contribute to a captivating and atmospheric journey that resonates deeply with players.

    • “The Pathless envelops you in a mythical atmosphere, where every step flows like a dance, effortlessly guiding you through a world of boundless wonder.”
    • “The atmosphere, the ambiance, the sound design, and the art style, it's all wonderfully made.”
    • “A beautiful and atmospheric exploration-puzzle game which plays like a love child of Shadow of the Colossus and the puzzle sections of Breath of the Wild.”
    • “The only thing I can really nitpick is the collisions of objects in boss fights and cutscenes: again, I understand that this is an indie game, but when in a pre-rendered cutscene up-close you see how the character’s bandana is fluttering through the bow, it kind of breaks the atmosphere and perception of the world.”
    • “The lack of any failure state undermines the stakes and atmosphere the game painstakingly establishes.”
    • “Now, the atmosphere in The Pathless is not always as calming as in Abzû.”
  • grinding31 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience, with many describing it as tedious and repetitive, particularly in terms of collectibles and puzzles. While some enjoy the movement mechanics and the ability to explore at their own pace, others feel that the lack of meaningful rewards and the necessity to engage in repetitive tasks detracts from the overall enjoyment. The game is seen as fun initially, but the grind can become frustrating and drawn out, leading to a less satisfying experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “The problem is that within each major area of the world, there's no reason to go for any completion of extra content unless you complete 100% of it, which is a major issue because it creates a high incentive to commit to the least fun part of the game (grinding puzzle completion for extra powers).”
    • “If it were a 2-hour game, it might offer a better experience, but the developers decided to add unnecessary hours to the game by forcing the player to engage in tedious walks and fights, stretching the gameplay to 6 hours.”
    • “The gameplay consists of nothing more than tedious token-finding and puzzle-solving.”
  • emotional16 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to forge deep connections between players and characters, particularly through the touching relationship with the eagle companion. Many players report experiencing significant emotional responses, including tears and heartwarming moments, while the narrative is praised for its depth and relatability. Overall, the game successfully evokes a range of emotions, reminiscent of classics like "Journey" and "Gris," despite some mixed opinions on its storytelling.

    • “Beautiful, extremely fluid, and made me cry at least five times.”
    • “These games redefine narratives and continue to create truly emotional stories that everyone can relate to.”
    • “The game's narrative is both emotional and compelling, and the relationship between the player and their animal companion is truly touching.”
    • “The story felt generic and boring, lacking any emotional depth.”
    • “I found the emotional moments to be predictable and uninspired.”
    • “The characters didn't evoke any real feelings; their struggles felt hollow.”
  • optimization14 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization varies significantly across different platforms and hardware configurations. While it runs smoothly at 60 fps on PS5 and performs well on higher-end PCs, users with mid-range setups, like the 5700 XT, report frequent stuttering and performance issues, particularly with high visual settings. Additionally, performance on the Steam Deck is notably poor, indicating that the game may not be well-optimized for all systems.

    • “On PS5, the game ran adequately well with a 60 fps locked performance mode, and a 30 fps native 4K mode which looked gorgeous.”
    • “Overall, the game seems to be optimized really well, and that's with the highest visual settings on.”
    • “Current settings yield 80 to 100 fps without any significant or noticeable performance drops.”
    • “My experience with the game was marred by frequent stuttering, even on a system with a 5700 XT + 3700X setup.”
    • “It appears that the game might not be well-optimized for my GPU.”
    • “The game is not optimized very well, so expect to use high TDP to hit consistent FPS.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its lighthearted approach, featuring a forgiving gameplay style and amusing moments, such as a bird repeatedly landing on quirky talismans. The use of well-known voice actors like Laura Bailey and Troy Baker adds a layer of irony to its unique identity. Overall, while the game has its funny moments, some players feel it lacks depth in humor over extended play.

    • “The game is incredibly forgiving, with no death states and a hilariously easy-to-use aim system.”
    • “The only two voice actors in the game are Laura Bailey and Troy Baker, which I think is funny because despite this game's unique identity, it still hired the most prolific and AAA voice actors ever.”
    • “Landing shot after shot on talismans (the funny glowing squares with eyes on them) and practically (or literally sometimes) flying across the landscape.”
  • stability7 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players experienced minor bugs and glitches, particularly at launch, others reported a smooth experience with no significant issues. Most problems seem to be easily resolved with adjustments, and many users recommend the game despite the occasional hiccup.

    • “No bugs, no glitches, no complaints from me.”
    • “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or interruptions.”
    • “I've experienced consistent performance throughout my playtime.”
    • “A bit buggy, but other than that, highly recommend.”
    • “It's a bit short and I did encounter some glitches, but the gameplay is pretty fun.”
    • “Overall, the issues really depend more on the person playing it than the game, as I haven't seen any major glitches or bugs since I started (besides crashing in Nimue's fight, I think I saw somebody else get that too).”
  • character development5 mentions

    Character development in the game is marked by visually appealing designs and a well-crafted background lore, though some reviewers note that the character arcs and plot can feel simplistic, often relying on clear-cut good versus evil motifs. Overall, the artistic elements, including character and enemy designs, are praised for their creativity and professionalism, contributing to an engaging experience.

    • “Besides the gameplay loop, the character designs and background lore are enticing enough.”
    • “Every individual element, from the music to the art, the animations to the character design, the sound effects to the level design, feels masterfully done by veteran professionals who love what they do.”
    • “Some things that really stood out to me about this game were just how visually beautiful and compelling the environment and character designs were.”
    • “The plot and character designs are simplistic (red and black evil, blue and white good).”
  • replayability4 mentions

    Overall, the game exhibits mixed opinions on replayability; while some players find it lacking in value after the initial playthrough, others appreciate the fun puzzles and hidden details that encourage multiple runs. The potential for speedrunning and exploring different puzzle approaches may enhance replayability for certain players.

    • “Sometimes the puzzles took away from the fast, flowy movement portion, but I kind of assume you're supposed to do the bare minimum number of puzzles to speedrun, and the rest are for replayability.”
    • “It has high replayability, especially with how fun the puzzles are and how many small details there are to find.”
    • “There's pretty much no replay value, but the time I did spend with it, I enjoyed.”
    • “Sometimes the puzzles took away from the fast, flowy movement portion, but I kind of assume you're supposed to do the bare minimum number of puzzles to speed run, and the rest are for replayability.”
    • “- Not much replay value.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

15hMedian play time
31hAverage play time
10-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 12 analyzed playthroughs

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