Sayonara Wild Hearts

About Sayonara Wild Hearts

Sayonara Wild Hearts dropped on September 19, 2019, from Simogo and Annapurna Interactive. You can play this single player adventure arcade game on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, iOS, and the new Switch 2. The story follows a woman whose broken heart launches her into a surreal universe where she transforms into a masked biker named The Fool. This diamond butterfly guide leads her through sky highways and neon landscapes to find cosmic harmony. It is a visual feast that treats movement as music, turning every action into a rhythm game moment while you chase down various allies across electric deserts and dark forests.

Gameplay

You control The Fool through a series of vibrant level chapters where the input scheme shifts constantly. One moment you are steering a motorcycle on a neon highway to match a beat, then you are skateboarding through a forest while dodging obstacles. Later, you might engage in dance battles or shoot lasers with a sword in your hand. Every action feels tied directly to the soundtrack, which drives the pacing of the entire experience. There is no traditional health bar; instead, you must maintain momentum and rhythm to survive encounters with bosses like the Dancing Devils. The controls react instantly to your movements, making the transition between riding, running, and fighting feel seamless yet demanding precise timing for high scores.

What Players Think

The PlayPile data shows an IGDB score of 79.2 out of 100 based on 114 ratings. Critics and players agree that the art style is a major strength, though some find the gameplay repetitive after a few hours. Average playtime sits around 3 to 4 hours for a standard run, with completion rates suggesting many users rush through to see all endings. Community moods lean heavily toward "nostalgic" and "energetic," with users frequently praising the soundtrack in review snippets. Some reviewers note that while the visuals are stunning, the lack of replayability after the first few days keeps the average playtime low compared to other indie titles. The consensus is that it is a short but memorable ride for those who value style over substance.

PlayPile's Take

This title costs as little as $10.39 on Green Man Gaming, making it an easy buy if you want something brief and visually striking. It suits players who prefer atmospheric experiences over complex mechanics or long play sessions. You will unlock a small set of achievements for completing chapters and finding hidden collectibles. Do not expect deep replay value or challenging boss fights that test your skill indefinitely. The game is worth the price tag only if you can appreciate its specific aesthetic and musical integration without needing hundreds of hours of content. Grab it if you want a short trip through a neon dream world rather than a long-term commitment.

Storyline

As the heart of a young woman breaks, the balance of the universe is disturbed. A diamond butterfly appears in her dreams and leads her through a highway in the sky, where she finds her other self: the masked biker called The Fool. Travelling through futuristic cities, dark forests, and electric deserts, The Fool sets out to find the harmony of the universe, hidden away in the hearts of Little Death and her star crossed allies; Dancing Devils, Howling Moons, Stereo Lovers and Hermit 64.