Pine Hearts is a story journey recreation developed by Hyper Luminal Video games and revealed by Little Nook. You play as Tyke on an journey to hike a mountain whereas piecing collectively his motives for this climb. Carry the tissues for this one!
I sometimes start a overview by explaining the story. Nonetheless, provided that Pine Hearts is narrative-based, most of what I may say could be spoilers. As the sport description says, “It tells a narrative of the lack of a member of the family with tenderness and care.” It takes you on an emotional experience with quirky characters and comfortable aesthetics. The primary purpose is to rise up the mountain, however the park ranger received’t allow you to via till you’re properly ready. Thus, your journey begins.
As you play via Pine Hearts, you’ll piece the story collectively your self by rediscovering recollections. Tyke has been right here earlier than, he simply wants some assist reminiscing. To unlock these recollections, you’ll discover tear drops throughout the open world map. You’ll want a complete of 1,300 drops to unlock all 5 recollections. For sure, it’s a brief journey. I received via the sport inside a handful of hours, but it surely was value each second.
However how do you get the tear drops? That’s the place the gameplay is available in. First, tear drops are scattered about generously. All it is advisable to do is discover the world and also you’ll discover them ready for you. You’ll additionally earn drops by finishing quests for NPCs. A few of these quests will get you exploring the world and easily offer you 50-100 tears. Different quests will mean you can additional discover the world by getting the instruments you want.
For instance, you’ll want a hammer and a shovel, simply to call a pair. You’ll discover the shovel as a part of a quest and get to maintain it, which can assist you with different quests down the street. Regardless of its cozy vibes, Pine Hearts will maintain the quests coming, so there’s by no means a boring second. Typically, you’ll have a number of quests directly, particularly when you speak to everybody you go.
The world is open with a handful of main areas to discover, every with subareas. You’ll discover a few caves, seashores, and even a fort. There aren’t any ranges, recreation modes, timers, or the like; you’ll be able to undergo the sport at your personal tempo. Some quests will contain a mini-game (reminiscent of garden mowing) or a puzzle (reminiscent of connecting gears collectively to set off a gate mechanism), however none of it’s too troublesome or head-scratching.
The controls are easy, too. To interrupt a rock or leap over a cliff, you merely press A. Typically, you’ll want to maneuver the L-stick in a sure course. The default choice is to make use of timed button presses, however I turned that off. It was advantageous and labored properly, however I most popular to play via the sport as merely as potential.
After you have sufficient tears, you’ll unlock a reminiscence and get to observe it. You’ll have some management over Tyke throughout these quick sequences, however there’s minimal gameplay. Once more, I received’t go into element due to spoilers. Nonetheless, unlocking these recollections may even remind Tyke of a talent he used to have, reminiscent of leaping over chasms or creating bridges by pushing a tree over. These abilities will enable entry to different components of the map and create shortcuts.
By the point I had unlocked the ultimate talent, I nonetheless wanted about 75 extra tears to get the ultimate reminiscence, thus having access to the mountain. I used to be capable of backtrack via the map and undergo the areas once more with out the strain of quests. I may take within the surroundings whereas retaining an eye fixed out for locations I missed or couldn’t entry earlier than.
When the ultimate reminiscence was unlocked, I had entry to go up the mountain. I cried. Rather a lot. I feel Tyke saved it collectively higher than I did. I received’t say a lot else; you’ll must expertise this recreation for your self.
The one draw back to Pine Hearts was that there have been just a few glitches. At one level, Tyke received caught strolling in place, and the one method for me to repair it was to exit to the Swap homepage. Additionally (and that is extra of a private desire), I’d have favored to avoid wasting the sport every time I needed. It autosaved typically sufficient, however I’d have favored extra management over when and the place it saved, particularly for the reason that recreation would freeze or lag at every autosave. In any other case, my whole expertise was clean and stress-free, with lullaby-like music enjoying within the background.
Total, Pine Hearts is a brief and (bitter)candy title. For those who’re on the lookout for a brand new cozy journey that tells a tremendous story in a delicate method, then definitely give this one a go. You received’t be upset. (And sure, you’ll be able to pet the canine!)
