Sayonara Wild Hearts: The self-love game I didn't know I needed

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Sayonara Wild Hearts is a mesmerizing, intoxicating “endless” runner game with an emotionally electrifying soundtrack and emotionally charged narrative. As epic tale of loss and self-love unfolds before you, Sayonara Wild Hearts is a game that one experiences and does not forget. This game reminded me for the first time in years what a video game was truly capable of being, an experience that folds back into itself and becomes something new at every turn, and yet it is intuitive, easy to learn, easy to play, all while being extremely challenging to master.

Heartbreak & self-love

Sayonara Wildhearts took my breath away not because of its beautifully stunning art but because of the ways in which the story developed throughout the game. I found myself between waves of tears and excitement, completely overcome with the emotions it struck within me, reminding me to not only love myself, but also to forgive myself.

As a person who has previously been fearful of being emotionally vulnerable in front of others, Sayonara Wildhearts helped me express my emotions and better understand the importance of vulnerability and how it empowers one to resolve conflicts. Vulnerability is not a weakness, but strength and transparency can only improve your relationships with others as it aids them in better understanding who you are as a person.

Visually captivating with audio to match.

Everything about Sayonara Wild Hearts feels intentional as it plunges you into a surreal world of vibrant colors and kaleidoscopic imagry. The art style feels simple but the color palettes are breathtaking and perfectly coordinated. Every second of this game felt like a time warp taking back to my early teen years, discovering electronic music that spoke to my soul for the first time. The art direction is a masterpiece, with every level offering a new and breathtaking visual treat. The game effortlessly switches between different art styles, from stylish cel-shaded animations to mind-bending geometric landscapes. Each stage is a visual feast, leaving you in awe of the sheer creativity and attention to detail.

What really took me by surprise was the dramatic shifts in perspective and visuals all the while keeping me in control of the character I was playing. Where I would typically expect a cut scene, instead I was given control and more so, told to quickly shift lanes in order to score maximum points keeping me challenged and even causing me to, at times, strategically run my character into something to go back to the most recent quicksave point which doesn’t ever seem to be longer than 15-20 seconds apart. This mechanic helped me better understand that failure doesn’t have to be something that bogs you down. Sometimes, failure can be an opportunity to do a better job the second time around.

The heart and soul of Sayonara Wild Hearts lies in its music. The soundtrack, composed by Daniel Olsen with vocals by artist Linnea Olsson, is a genre-blending masterpiece. The songs seamlessly blend pop, synthwave, and electronic beats, perfectly syncing with the gameplay to create a rhythm-based experience like no other. The music propels you forward, making every level feel like an epic music video that you are actively participating in. It's impossible not to be captivated by the infectious beats and hauntingly beautiful lyrics.

Gotta Go Fast: The Sound Track.

In addition to the music being a masterpiece, I also found myself not terribly concerned about the lyrics in my first play-through because I was so mesmerized by the gameplay. With that said, I loved the game so much that I insisted on listening to the game in the car, and even then I was vibing so much with the beat of the songs that I barely comprehend the haunting yet beautiful lyrics.

Bitter-Sweet Intimacy

The whole game has a bitter-sweet taste to it and while you can relate to the emotional pain that the main character is feeling, you can also feel them grow throughout the progression of the game. Feeling their emotional growth and perseverance through the beat of the music was an unexpected delight. The sweet and charming intimacy between the characters tells a story in every aspect from the rhythm of the songs to the body language of the characters. So much is said without saying anything.

Quick resets

Growing up, I hated losing at video games. I grew up in the 90’s and as a result of that, I so VIVIDLY recall losing over and over and over again in Arkanoid and Donkey Kong Country and being absolutely enraged. Granted, I was 4-6 years old but emotions are big when you’re small.

Sayonara takes a feeling that’s supposed to be inherently negative and transforms it into a lesson about failure and how to bounce back even when you don’t think you can make it. When you “lose”, it simply resets a few seconds back, and the game aligns the cuts of the music PERFECTLY. It was a surreal feeling to feel a game more than I played it but that’s precisely how I would describe this. You can be absolutely terrible at video games and still have a delightful experience in Sayonara Wildhearts.

Sayonara Wild Hearts is not a lengthy game, but it's one you'll want to revisit again and again. The desire to improve your score, find hidden secrets, and experience the breathtaking visuals and music again is irresistible. Additionally, the game's bite-sized levels make it perfect for short play sessions or as a captivating escape from reality when you really just need to get away.

In conclusion, Sayonara Wild Hearts is a true gem in the world of gaming. It's a testament to the medium's ability to blend art, music, and gameplay into a cohesive and unforgettable package. With its mesmerizing visuals, enchanting soundtrack, and engaging gameplay, Sayonara Wild Hearts is a journey that transcends the boundaries of traditional gaming and deserves a place in the heart of anyone who values unique and emotionally resonant experiences. This is a game that will leave you breathless, and its memory will linger long after you've put down the controller. Sayonara Wild Hearts is nothing short of a masterpiece.

If you’re considering buying this game because of me you can do so by using my Amazon Associate link here: https://amzn.to/32GXbbw