I decided to play Sayonara Wild Hearts randomly, while I myself was struggling with depression and anxiety. Needless to say, it came at the perfect time and this title truly uplifted me. The folks at Simogo did a fantastic job with this game. At first glance, Sayonara Wild Hearts is a rhythm game but it so much more than that. From start to finish, this game had me in tears but it was not because the game was sad. In fact, it was the opposite. Sayonara Wild Hearts tells the beautiful story of how a woman overcomes her broken heart. Through her story, you’ll help her overcome her fears, depression and anxiety as she goes toe to toe with four motorcycle gangs.
The Premise
Essentially, the story is about the universe becoming unbalanced due to the heartbreak of a woman. None other than Queen Latifah herself will tell you all about it as the narrator. During her adventure the woman will turn into an alternate version of herself called “The Fool” and travel through space and time correcting the wrongs that were done to her heart. She will overcome her anxiety and depression, all with the help of music.
Sayonara Wild Hearts is a game that slowly teaches you what to do, and builds upon that until the very end. During each track you’ll control The Fool and move from side to side collecting hearts, timing button presses and a collection of other creative things. By the end of the game you’ll use everything you learn to finally finish off the last of the motorcycle gangs and bring balance back to the universe.
Each track has three possible ranks you can achieve: bronze, silver, or gold. Naturally, I finished them all with the gold rank, but it was not an easy task, as a lot of these tracks can get pretty difficult. They are relatively easy to complete, but if you want gold, you will have to work for it. This was enough for me to be engaged, as the soundtrack by Daniel Olsén is flawless, but this game affected me on a much deeper level as well.
The Fight Against Anxiety
For me, Sayonara Wild Hearts is a roadmap to healing my heart and mind. Regardless of my mental state when I played it, this game still would have spoken to me this way. Anxiety and depression are constant struggles for me, but this game shows that things like that can be conquered. We watch as The Fool tackles each of her demons, comes out victorious and saves the world doing so.
Experiencing this game truly moved me to tears, to the point where finding words to even describe it is proving difficult. It captured my heart and sent me on an ever-changing discovery of my own fears. Not just those fears alone though, but the power to acknowledge them and take away their hold over me. Certain video games and other forms of media have done this to me in the past, but this game is extremely special to me.
It is a game that kept me engaged until the very end and although I beat it in one sitting, I still go back and play it from time to time. There is a certain level of magic in this title that just cannot die and I would not want it to. That magic is what drove me to playing the game and, of course, finishing it. I am truly touched by this video game and would recommend it to anyone.
A Work Of Art
Sayonara Wild Hearts is a wonderful example of video games becoming works of art. Not only is it a beautiful game, but every detail is extremely thought out. As you fight the gangs, or traverse the world around you, everything feels so complete and original. My favorite thing to watch in this game is how the characters move. They themselves are performing art in their movements, and it is gorgeous.
The Fool dodges attacks with absolute grace. She is ready to be free of her sorrow and live in happiness once more. Her movements are fluid and you’ll notice subtle things like how her hands move that just take your breath of away. The same can be said for each gang as well. Each character comes to life in their movements and effectively tells you a story without using any words. If that is not art, I do not know what is.
The game is colorful and thematic to match its killer pop/synth soundtrack. Everything flows together perfectly and I honestly had to redo a few tracks because I was taking it all in. It is one of the most beautiful games I have ever played.
Music Heals
Again, this is another point that hit home for me. I have always used music for many things, but primarily for healing purposes. Whenever I am sad or struggling with my anxiety, music can usually help me negate some of it. This game is absolutely no exception, which is why I continue to revisit it.
Pop music is a favorite genre of mine, and video games are a passion, so when this game blended the two together, I lost my mind. However, this game is also one of those rare gems where the soundtrack is telling the story. Even in the tracks without lyrics, you can hear how the game evolves as you progress through it. That evolution can also be seen within The Fool and everything she learns along the way. By the end of the game she truly heals both herself and the universe and overcomes so much to get there.
Each gang has its own theme and location that the music does a brilliant job of matching. Honestly though, I was sold just from the opening of the game. Each and every song in this game carries with it a sense of growth and accomplishment that matches how it feels to overcome a broken heart. It is empowering, uplifting and down right emotional. Even if you are the happiest person in the world, Sayonara Wild Hearts will change something in you and I suggest you let it.
