Mr Viral
Particle Hearts Review
Some games walk a fine line between art and entertainment. Whether through narrative, artistic direction, or mechanics, these titles often attract a cult following from players seeking something truly different. Inspired by greats like Ico and Journey, Particle Hearts aims to capture the magic that made those games iconic, but will it also carve its own identity and avoid being defined by comparison?
Ambiguity enshrouds your adventure with snippets of context emanating from collectable wind chimes scattered throughout the environment. These memories build to give insight into your character and purpose in your quest. As there’s no requirement to collect story segments to piece together the tale, at times the narrative feels underdeveloped. However, the concept builds and completing your objective leads to a satisfying conclusion.
Each area is open with towering white structures that you must locate. With the ability to venture in any direction, there’s a lovely level of freedom within each tightly designed area. Strange symbols dotted throughout allow you to morph into a beam of light and speed across the terrain. This is a welcome addition, since movement can feel somewhat stiff and with no option to run, this makes traversing the map easier.
Hauntingly Beautiful
An alluring atmosphere permeates the world, drawing you deeper into its mysteries. Isolated and bleak, the darkness is perfectly captured, giving the game a distinct and memorable mood. Striking visuals reinforce this tone, with drifting particles giving each environment a dreamlike quality. As impressive as the art direction is, the music elevates it further. Michael Ellery’s subtle yet emotional compositions amplify the game’s themes with precision. Each touching theme is poignant and memorable. At times, I would just look at the vivid surroundings and soak in the timeless music. Together, the sight and sound combine to create a presentation that feels truly special.
Structures scattered across the world transport you to self-contained areas, reminiscent of shrines in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Inside, puzzles and platforming challenges are thoughtfully designed, steadily guiding you toward your destination. While the jumping can feel slightly floaty, a landing shadow ensures that even moving platforms remain approachable and satisfying. At times, the camera shifts to a fixed perspective, framing the stunning scenery as you leap across elegant architecture. Missing a jump sends you plummeting to the ground and respawns you at the start, which can feel frustrating as you retrace your steps. Combined with puzzles that require just enough thought to stay engaging without stalling progress, these segments create consistently memorable moments that balance variety with fun.
Harnessing the Power
Throughout the adventure, you’ll unlock new abilities that become essential for solving puzzles. You can explode into particles and reform after a short delay, allowing you to pass through gated areas and avoid the gaze of enemies or harness the elements to interact with your surroundings. Later, you’ll be able to also attack enemies to ensure your safety on your journey. These flourishes expand the gameplay, introducing fresh mechanics that keep challenges engaging and progression rewarding. More importantly, they tie seamlessly into the world’s dreamlike atmosphere, making each new discovery feel natural and meaningful.
Considering the game was developed by such a small team, the level of polish is impressive. Environments look incredible and there was little to no pop-ims. Occasionally, I ran into camera issues, mainly when transitioning from fixed angles to free control. At this point, you had to wrestle slightly for control as the camera would pull in too close to your character. However, this small, irregular issue is very easy to overlook. My main concern is the slow movement speed of the protagonist, which makes traversing the world feel sluggish. The constant need to press dash becomes irritating, and a simple increase in base movement speed would have easily resolved this issue. As it is, you meander around the world rather than sprint.
Finding Closure
Particle Hearts has a clear vision, and it’s executed with confidence. The stunning visuals and remarkable soundtrack work in harmony to deliver a presentation that feels truly memorable. Each puzzle is distinct and thoughtfully designed, ensuring that every encounter remains engaging. While the protagonist’s movement lacks some of the fluidity and pace expected from the genre, the atmosphere the game evokes is wholly unique. For those looking for an experience that sidesteps common trends, this is absolutely worth your time.
***A PS5 code was provided by the publisher***
The Good
Beautiful Art Direction
Incredible Score
Clever Puzzles
75
The Bad
Plodding Movement Speed
Floaty Jumps
Some Awkward Moments with Camera Control
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings