Pyre

If youre a fan of SuperGiant games (bastion, transistor, hades 1/2) do yourself a favor and dont skip Pyre,
i did and i wish i played it sooner, it truly is a unique gem, though that uniquess was a double edged sword, the unique mix of VN and gameplay put off a ton of people, because be warned, youll be reading ALOT, think of this as the Ace attorney or Zero Escape series which have their gameplay sections but with a ton of reading, but thats also its greatest strenght, the characters are delightful and interesting, youll be playing more just to find out more about the characters and the story

Another warning though the gameplay its also quite unique, its like a weird version of basketball and Football, i didnt understand it at first and thats why i dropped it the first time

Besides that it has the usual supergiant quality seal of great artstyle, well polished gameplay and of course the music, with some amazing vocals that i liked so much i even added them for listening on my spotify playlist


TLDR: like previous supergiant games more than a game think of it as a " unique experience" , but be warned that its basically a VN with some segments in between of a made-up sport which its unlike anything youve ever played, still with the usual supergiant seal of quality

Pyre is a very unique game.
As someone who's obsessed with both of the Hades games, I recently decided to finally play the Supergiant games that came before them. I've heard several times that Pyre is the odd one out in Supergiant's catalogue because of how different it is from their other titles, which proved to be correct.
The gameplay is nothing like Hades and nothing like Bastion or Transistor either (from what I've seen and heard). Pyre combines a very dialogue-heavy and reading-heavy story with sports-like gameplay, which starts out as being weirdly compelling to end up being incredibly fitting for the story the game tells. And I mean it when I say "sports-like." You play in teams, you juggle a ball, there's a commentator and everything. The game obviously puts its own spin on it and it's awesome. Apart from just being unique, the gameplay is also super fun! And if you really like the gameplay, there's even a Versus mode outside of the story with lots of customization available, if you just wanna enjoy the gameplay with no story strings attached. The unique nature of the gameplay is only furthered by Pyre not having a "game over" state at all, the story keeps going no matter what. I really liked how the game handled that aspect, especially when it came to defining what "victory" and "failure" even mean for you in this game.
The story and world-building of this game are great. There is so much lore packed within this game that I'm excited to piece together better on a subsequent playthrough, but the image it painted for me on my first run was enough to fully draw me in. The lore backdrop also serves to emphasize the characters in the game, which are all super cool, both when it comes to your companions and when it comes to your adversaries. The game takes its time with characterizing everyone you meet, especially those who oppose you. It shows there is much more to them than what appears at first glance, and I became increasingly curious in how their stories would end as much as I did with my own companions.
This should go without saying, as it is a Supergiant game, but the presentation of this game is perfect. The art is incredible and so is the music. They both serve to elevate the atmosphere of this game's world and story to great lengths. The music sometimes even dynamically changes depending on the circumstance, in minor or major ways depending on the situation. And pretty much every location and character in the game have their own distinct theme song. It's just super cool, Darren Korb and Ashley Barrett show off time and time again, and it's always amazing to witness.
Part of me wishes this game was longer, but the way it tells such a rich and dense story in a short amount of time is great. Also, there's a lot that can play out differently or things that you might miss out on depending on how your playthrough goes, so I'm excited to play it again for that reason as well.
All in all, Pyre is a special experience. I don't really have anything negative to say about it. It's very different from anything I've ever played and I love it.
And as is the norm for Supergiant, the end credits are peak.

Having played this after Hades it feels very cozy, with the type of endearing characters and fantastic soundtrack that later games would make me expect. I love how Darren Korb's urge to play duets with Ashley Barret and then intertwine them in videogame narratives is a constant through the years. Voice acting is phenomenal, and I loved some of the ideas for making the world of The Downside stand out more.

Most of the time I didn't have issues with the sports game they introduce (in fact game feel is excellent) but, for a gameplay device that, as I understand, is meant to add spice to what is otherwise a visual novel, it feels very strange to have to deal with the typical "+5% jump distance" elements, which I often frown upon in other games. Just like in those, eventually they add very little to the mix. Did Pyre really need merchants, gathering plants, etc.?

In the end what I enjoyed the most was the story, the unusual way to deal with consequences and the perhaps almost tragic nature of what you are led to decide for the characters that you grow to love.

Pyre is one of those rare games that feels unlike anything else on Steam. It blends a visual-novel-style journey with a fantasy sport that plays like a tactical, real-time battle. You lead a group of outcasts through a strange purgatory, and every step of the story makes you feel like you’re traveling with a real team rather than moving pieces on a board.
The strongest part is the writing and worldbuilding. The game introduces its characters slowly, giving them space to breathe, argue, bond, and reveal who they are. Conversations are sharp, often funny, and sometimes surprisingly emotional, and the choices you make feel meaningful because they affect relationships and the path your group takes.
Gameplay revolves around the “Rites,” where you compete in magical contests that are part sport, part duel. It’s easy to understand—score by getting the orb into the enemy pyre—but the matches have a lot of strategy in positioning, timing, and team composition. Each character has a unique role, and learning how their abilities fit together is where the game becomes addictive.
What makes Pyre special is how it connects the matches to the story. Winning isn’t always the only thing that matters, because success can lead to decisions that cost you a teammate or change your future options. The game is willing to let you sit with consequences, and that creates tension you don’t usually get in games where the “correct” outcome is simply to win every time.
The art and presentation are top-tier. The visual style is bold and painterly, character designs are memorable, and the interface is clean without feeling sterile. It’s also one of those games where every screen looks intentional, like it belongs in the same universe and supports the mood.
Music is a standout, even by Supergiant’s already high standards. The soundtrack carries both the quiet travel moments and the intensity of the Rites, and it helps the game land its emotional beats without forcing them. The voice work is used sparingly, but when it appears it adds personality and weight.
Overall, Pyre is an easy recommendation if you enjoy story-driven games and you’re open to something experimental. It won’t click for everyone—especially if you want traditional combat or pure sports simulation—but if you give it time, it rewards you with a memorable cast, meaningful choices, and a gameplay loop that supports the narrative instead of distracting from it.

Listen to me: Pyre will become one of te most unique gaming experiences of your entire life. The way this game mutates over your playthrough, the systems it put into place, and the adaptative narrative where no matter what happens, the story goes on is something to be missed in today's titles (even indies).
Play this once on your life. You'll then see this medium radically differently. This games grows on you.

Way fun. Definitely play with a controller. It's a Supergiant hidden gem with all their hallmarks.

Polished experience with simple but great depth in its gameplay.
Pyre is another amazing release from the already established Supergiant Games that never disappoints. They managed to create another incredible world and story that is incredibly engaging with characters with interesting backstories that are fun to dive into. Your choices lead to different paths, and you're the one to make the decisions.
I really enjoyed the gameplay. Combat seems simple at first, but the more you experience it and get familiar with it, the more interesting it gets with all kinds of different plays. The learning curve is rewarding and enjoyable. There's also a strategic side to it by allowing the player to select their team in favor of the arena and adversary to try to gain an advantage. It allows for plenty of different approaches, and adding in the factor that your team can be limited in certain battles leads to difficult decisions. Characters can equip talismans that give specific buffs or abilities and unlock limited masteries for the player to change that greatly change their role in combat. The transition from a single adventure to repetitive progress was done seamlessly, as was the application of new concepts and plot points in the gameplay.
The map, its presentation, and the navigation are extremely cool, especially by the end. The soundtrack is also great.
It's simply another gem with tons of unique personality put out by this studio.