The majority of Pyre's story is told through visual novel slides. You get static character animations that pop in and out with text. I don't normally seek out that kind of game but it pairs well with the animation and the overall story. But between the Rites and the cutscenes with characters travelling venue to venue, it never stops being daring visually and it has style to burn. The setting across the Downside varies wildly across each area but there's always something striking in the background animation or character design even when the game is focused elsewhere. It made me think about how the design team didn't have to put this much effort into it but they went the extra mile anyway. Gorgeous is the appropriate word for the colourful style this game has.
Its not just the animation that sweeps you away, the story goes miles beyond most sports focused titles. There's so much world building going on here, they put the time in so you understand not only why these tournaments are going on but why they're so significant and meaningful to your companions. You're not battling to win a trophy, you're fighting to free yourselves from a bondage/prison state where you've been exiled to die. But as much as that's a relatable motivation for both your character and your team, there's a larger game afoot that plays out at the same time. This game questions the true nature of freedom, friendship and duty. Talk about expecting one thing and getting another. I can't remember the last time a game made me ponder about existential questions let alone while I was trying to do the equivalent of dunking on my opponent.
Going past the plot, the characters are memorable too. Your team is such an eclectic and endearing bunch I can't imagine anyone not forming any kind of attachment to them. I had my favourites but you do learn more about each of their stories as you progress and when tough decisions have to be made, it makes you hesitate and think if one of them truly deserves it more than the other. You can also move on from any member of your team (you get to pick) and the game keeps on trucking. The writing is phenomenal in its own way, Madden has a story mode and people go nuts for it when it can't even hold a candle to Pyre's journey.
I would describe playing Pyre's Rites as a mix between basketball and hockey with some fantasy RPG elements thrown in. The matches are chaotic but not without nuance or strategy. If you're more of a strategy casual, they aren't unbearable or hard to grasp and they can be picked up easily once you understand the rules. Which of your band of characters you use and your playing style go a long way to determining your team makeup and your chances of prevailing. Like any good sports game, the matches are tense and they amp up the pressure to perform as the story mandates you to. But another nice feature of Pyre is that victory isn't mandatory. The game can continue on and split into a different path which is a credit to the writing team. A co-op mode would be wonderful but it didn't rob me of any enjoyment playing through the single player campaign.
My only regret about playing Pyre is that I didn't pick it up sooner. Its truly unlike anything else on the market. I've seen sports games with fantasy elements (Blood Bowl) but not with this kind of involving storytelling and fantastic animation. I haven't played anything else by Supergiant but I'm shocked this game didn't get more attention. I can't say its a perfect combination but it isn't far off. My closest comparison (in its uniqueness more than its actual gameplay) is Catherine, another game with a bizarre mix of genres that somehow worked splendidly. I'm a little late at this point but if you have even a passing interest in this game's core premise or any history with other Super Giant titles, this is a must buy,
