Pyre

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 48 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 48
  3. Negative: 0 out of 48
  1. Gameblog.fr
    Aug 2, 2017
    70
    If you only consider its narrative, art direction, music and lore, Pyre is absolutely gorgeous. But its "combat" mechanic just doesn't succeed in being totally fun.
  2. Metro GameCentral
    Jul 25, 2017
    70
    The bizarre mix of influences and gameplay doesn’t always gel, but the visuals and writing help paper over the cracks in this admirably unique adventure.
  3. Twinfinite
    Jul 24, 2017
    70
    Pyre is a diamond in the rough. Its sense of adventure and novel Rites are ultimately held back from realizing their full potential by a campaign that feels drawn out, static teammates, and easy enemy AI. There’s plenty to love here, and Pyre will most definitely worm its way into the hearts of many, but it doesn’t quite top Bastion as Supergiants’ crowning achievement.
  5. USgamer
    Jul 24, 2017
    70
    Pyre's strengths lie in a lot of things: it's beautiful visuals, amazing score, multi-branching tale, gameplay that somehow marries the best of sports games and tactical RPGs. But it's wrapped in an expansive story that doesn't quite earn its keep over its many hours, and fails to flesh out the endearing characters you meet and spend time with all along the way. In the end though, Pyre's a quest worth taking if ou're up for the challenge and the inevitble dread you'll feel when you lose sometimes.
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  1. Ars Technica
    Jul 25, 2017
    Pyre is a brilliant reinvention of the term “fantasy sports,” with story, visuals, and gameplay to die for. Go buy it.
  2. Eurogamer
    Jul 24, 2017
    Dazzling and mysterious, this ambitious party-based RPG is a masterpiece. [Essential]
  3. The A.V. Club
    Jul 25, 2017
    In the end, it’s the story that serves as the biggest draw, spinning a legend about the redemptive and purifying power of sports and teamwork that somehow never gets cheesy. For a game about sacrifice to really work, you have to care about what you’re giving up. In Pyre, that usually ends up being your players—their talents on the field and their presence in the wagon—and it’s a testament to Kasavin and his crew that saying goodbye to even one of them is consistently the game’s most heartbreaking and defining choice.
  5. The Verge
    Jul 24, 2017
    Pyre is a mishmash of a game. Its world is culled from multiple influences, and the core of the experience feels like two very different titles stuck together. But, as with Supergiant’s past work, it all comes together in a very satisfying way. It’s an adventure where it only feels natural that you’d spend as much time poring over ancient books as you do throwing a magic orb around an arena, and I enjoyed chatting with swamp witches almost as much as I did turning them into powerful warriors.

Awards & Rankings

29
#29 Best PS4 Game of 2017
92
#92 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2017
50
#50 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2017

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 179 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 136 out of 179
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 179
  3. Negative: 22 out of 179
  1. Deemer
    Jul 26, 2017
    10
    First off, if you can't stomach visual novels you'll want to avoid this. During the first four hours, the gameplay has far more RPG-styleFirst off, if you can't stomach visual novels you'll want to avoid this. During the first four hours, the gameplay has far more RPG-style management and dialogue than gameplay. After that, it starts to even out.

    Speaking of gameplay, this game is a unique experience in that it's a high-fantasy tackle-basketball game with RPG elements and a graphic novel structure. I won't spoil the story twist - which is great - but there's also an element of campaign management (think Banner Saga) thrown in partway through. It's strange, but well done and engaging.

    While the gameplay is solid, this game focuses more heavily on presentation. There's a huge cast of fantastically designed and (mostly) interesting characters that bounce off of each other wonderfully, and the art and music are outstanding. If you're looking for a unique experience or enjoy either visual novels or sports management games, you should definitely give this a shot.

    PROS:
    -Excellent art and scoring
    -Great setting and characters
    -Unique and interesting gameplay once it gets going

    CONS:
    -Slow start    … Full Review »
  2. sickofthebs
    Jul 25, 2017
    10
    The negative reviews for this game on here read like a bad attempt at a comedy roast.... I only recently became aware of the title, and havingThe negative reviews for this game on here read like a bad attempt at a comedy roast.... I only recently became aware of the title, and having played and enjoyed both Bastion and Transistor I decided to give this one a go.

    I was really surprised by the fun aspect of the rituals, especially since I am not a big sports fan. And the story is great and kept me wanting more.

    Do not want to spoil things, but the choices and "visual novel" style of the game between the intense matches reminded me of the day to day activities from the Persona series where at certain times you are given a choice as to what to do and have to sacrifice doing the other option - making your choices actually matter. And the characters will respond to your every choice, including if you decide to leave them out of a ritual.

    Some have brought attention to the lack of online, but I think there are enough other games with this - not every game requires it, and it is much much more entertaining and satisfying playing this in local versus with an ACTUAL person (there is a bot option too, which is a godsend).

    Highly recommend this title as a spark of uniqueness in an industry that is seemingly becoming clustered with generic AAA squalor.    … Full Review »
  3. Frosthaven
    Jul 25, 2017
    4
    Pyre is a game that only succeeds on brand name recognition. SuperGiant has built quite the following (including myself) after their hitPyre is a game that only succeeds on brand name recognition. SuperGiant has built quite the following (including myself) after their hit releases of Bastion and Transistor, but misses the mark with Pyre.

    You are provided with an absolutely beautiful art style and amazing sound score as fans of the studio have come to love, but in the context of the actual game much feels lacking.

    In previous titles from SuperGiant, the gameplay and story elements intertwined like a fine tapestry that empowered the overall experience. This game is fantasy NBA Jam with some moba elements wrapped up in a visual novel shell.

    It's like having vanilla ice cream with a side of tomato sauce. Not bad on their own, but the strange combination leads to wanting more out of either.    … Full Review »
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