Navigating through these environments is intuitive-if rather shallow-as you weave between varied gameplay styles on the fly. The electronic-pop soundtrack excellently complements the frenetic, neon visuals. It rather iterates on that template in inventive ways. Speaking of Rez, its inspirations from that game are clear, but Sayonara does anything but rest on its laurels and deliver a game that is simply Rez-like. Each coming with a unique twist on the mechanics. While you’re essentially always hurtling forward and collecting hearts to increase your score and earn a bronze, silver, or gold rank, you might be riding a motorcycle and having a sword battle, drifting down the highway in a muscle car, or flying and painting targets Rez-style. Through Sayonara’s 23 levels you’ll be tasked with an ever changing suite of gameplay styles, and it never pauses to introduce the action on screen. On its face, though, the game is a fast paced musical experience that asks you to play through feel as much as through precise, measured actions. At its heart, Sayonara is a game about coming to grips with yourself as you attempt to reforge your broken heart.

You’re thrust into the driver’s seat flying down a synesthetic highway picking up the pieces figuratively and narratively. From the moment you press play, the game is charging ahead at full speed and it expects you to keep up. Sayonara Wild Hearts has no interest in taking it slow.

Sayonara wild hearts switch music