Supergiant Games delivers an outstanding game yet again. Loved every bit of it--the art and music, the story, the gameplay, and most importantly the colourful cast of characters! If you enjoyed Bastion or Transistor you should try Pyre, although the team-based gameplay can take some getting used to.

I have to admit, I had some reservations at first because I'm not used to sports games, but now there's a difficulty setting available right from the start if you need it, and the game itself isn't too hard to beat on standard difficulty. Whether you want to enjoy the game for its challenges or its narrative--the choice is up to you.

Update:

It's been six years, and having played a lot of Hades, I still think Pyre is my favourite of the bunch. I'm actually a bit sad that it's not as popular as the studio's other work, because IMO this is Supergiant at its most creative, arguably its magnum opus. It might not have Hades' blood-pumping, infinitely enjoyable gameplay, but Pyre has such a unique world and premise that I still remember fondly. Where else do you get people wearing robes with ridiculous masks as they duke it out in magic basketball? And yet it works.

As you become immersed in the narrative and grow to appreciate the stakes, everything comes together in that beautiful fervour shared by religious zealots and passionate sports fans alike. You befriend a bunch of ragtags that become a found family as you journey through vistas so jaw-dropping that your mind struggles to wrap itself around them. Plus, in an era where AAA studios (derogatory) are obsessed with ray tracing and needing a high-end system to have a passable experience, I've come to appreciate games that look incredible even on a potato.

Do take this review with a grain of salt, and I don't think Pyre is perfect. I wish the OST had more songs (Never to Return 🔥🔥🔥). It doesn't have as much character or story content as an actual visual novel, but then again, I was fine with Hades' story not having much depth.

Supergiant Games delivers an outstanding game yet again. Loved every bit of it--the art and music, the story, the gameplay, and most importantly the colourful cast of characters! If you enjoyed Bastion or Transistor you should try Pyre, although the team-based gameplay can take some getting used to. I have to admit, I had some reservations at first because I'm not used to sports games, but now there's a difficulty setting available right from the start if you need it, and the game itself isn't too hard to beat on standard difficulty. Whether you want to enjoy the game for its challenges or its narrative--the choice is up to you. Update: It's been six years, and having played a lot of Hades, I still think Pyre is my favourite of the bunch. I'm actually a bit sad that it's not as popular as the studio's other work, because IMO this is Supergiant at its most creative, arguably its magnum opus. It might not have Hades' blood-pumping, infinitely enjoyable gameplay, but Pyre has such a unique world and premise that I still remember fondly. Where else do you get people wearing robes with ridiculous masks as they duke it out in magic basketball? And yet it works. As you become immersed in the narrative and grow to appreciate the stakes, everything comes together in that beautiful fervour shared by religious zealots and passionate sports fans alike. You befriend a bunch of ragtags that become a found family as you journey through vistas so jaw-dropping that your mind struggles to wrap itself around them. Plus, in an era where AAA studios (derogatory) are obsessed with ray tracing and needing a high-end system to have a passable experience, I've come to appreciate games that look incredible even on a potato. Do take this review with a grain of salt, and I don't think Pyre is perfect. I wish the OST had more songs (Never to Return 🔥🔥🔥). It doesn't have as much character or story content as an actual visual novel, but then again, I was fine with Hades' story not having much depth.