Sayonara Wild Hearts is a premium rhythm game from developer Simogo, published by Annapurna Interactive. This arcade video game features a custom-written pop soundtrack paired with reflex-based gameplay and low-poly, vibrant visuals that create a dreamy atmosphere. At first glance, the art style looks similar to another rhythm game, Just Dance.

In Sayonara Wild Hearts, players take the role of The Fool, the alter ego of a young lady whose heart was broken into pieces. Players will travel through a dream world and battle against Little Death and her allies: Dancing Devils, Howling Moons, Stereo Lovers, and Hermit 64.

Gorgeous sounds and visuals

Sayonara Wild Hearts is a rhythm game that features plenty of arcade elements. Players will be riding motorcycles, skateboarding, shooting lasers, and wielding swords in a dreamscape filled with vibrance. However, the game’s rhythm mechanics can feel shallow, especially to veterans of the genre. Set pieces and sequences can be truly exciting to play through, but there is little emphasis on precise timing and more on hitting quick-time events.

While it falls short in terms of gameplay, the game shines in terms of sounds and visuals. Its custom-written pop soundtrack, coupled with its superb sound effects creates a mesmerizing audio experience. Its dream-like world is filled with bright colors and flashy effects that border between kaleidoscopic and seizure-inducing. In a nutshell, the game bombards the player's senses with excellent music and visuals.

Players interested in this unique rhythm game should consider it a bite-sized experience. It only offers around an hour of playtime, which may turn off many people, but it makes sense considering its price tag. What it really provides those who give it a try is a fleeting yet memorable experience that will leave many players yearning for its spectacle.

Is it worth playing?

It’s hard to find any reason why anyone who treats video games as a hobby shouldn’t give Sayonara Wild Hearts a try. What this game offers is a one-of-a-kind audiovisual experience that features rhythm game mechanics even casual gamers can find enjoyable. The game is far from the best rhythm game out there, but it’s definitely not a bad game either.