There are plenty of excellent rhythm games on offer at great prices right now as part of Steam Rhythm Fest. In fact, we’ve already picked out seven titles that you should definitely pick up while the event runs until August 26th. Here. But there is one game that is not in the summary that is worth highlighting: rhythm adventure game A Highland song.
The 2023 title from developer inkle, the studio behind the indie favorites Vault of Heaven, 80 daysAnd Overboard!transports players to the picturesque landscapes of the Scottish Highlands. Although there is a rhythm element, as you would expect given the involvement in the Steam Rhythm Fest sale, the majority of A Highland songis a loose narrative adventure with rich traversal mechanics that is a love letter to the Highlands themselves.
I can tell you from personal experience that the Highlands are very special. I have just returned from a trip to Scotland where I spent a lot of time wandering through the game’s real-life inspirations. The rolling hills, rushing rivers and huge mountains are so steeped in history and folklore that it feels as if the land is not only constantly drenched in rain, but has also absorbed a living cultural memory. That is the feeling that A Highland song he wants to evoke, and he succeeds in doing so in an excellent way.
The game sends players on a long, multi-day trek from protagonist Moira McKinnon’s house (which she runs away from) to her uncle’s lighthouse. Between points A and B lie the beautiful but dangerous vistas that the Highlands are known for. Between the unpredictable weather that brings heavy rain or snow, steep cliffs and deep caves that constantly get in your way, it quickly becomes clear that the journey will not be an easy one. A Highland song makes all of these obstacles significant challenges, as Moira is fragile and must rest each night to maintain her warmth and health. If you sleep without shelter or stay out in the rain for too long, you’ll freeze to death. If you slip and fall while climbing after running out of stamina, your health bar will suddenly be half gone. To keep Moira alive and complete this journey, you’ll need to take it slow.
This methodical approach encourages you to explore the game’s environments. Thanks to this more exploratory approach, you’ll eventually begin to uncover the stories hidden within. Every hill and valley you cross has a story to tell – you might find remnants of a battlefield from the Jacobite Revolution, or even come across potentially mystical creatures from Scottish folklore. Each of these encounters offers a lesson about the land and its people. Highland SongThe rhythm aspects of come into play in moments of traversal, when you’re chasing a deer and must hit timed inputs that are timed to the game’s soundtrack. While it’s not an exciting rhythm game due to its simplicity, chasing the deer often takes you far from where you started and way off the beaten track, providing ample opportunities for exploration for those interested in learning more about this surreal space.
None of these discoveries are forced on the player by tedious quests or overly signposted events, but rather by a natural sense of adventure. During the game, you can go wherever your heart takes you and you will find something interesting. As cliché as it may sound, A Highland song is a game about the journey, not the destination – and it’s an excellent journey, thanks not only to the fantastical world inspired by the very real beauty and history of the Highlands, but also to the wonderfully challenging travel mechanics that make every bit of progress feel truly worthwhile.
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