A Highland Song

I discovered Highland Song through Inkle publisher steam page after playing 80 Days, which I really enjoyed. The rhythm elements made me think this would be something similar to Wandersong. I expected a relaxing game with music, rhythm and exploration. Sadly, that is not really what I hoped for. The climbing is fun, but I find the map very confusing. There is no actual map, so you mostly have to remember places by how they look. I often don't know which way I should go or if I'm missing something by choosing one path over another. I also don't know if I can go back to places I didn't explore before. Because of that, I get frustrated more often than I feel relaxed. I really like the atmosphere and the music, but the exploration just isn't working for me. Maybe I simply had the wrong expectations, but I was hoping for a much more relaxing experience. It's not a bad game, but it's definitely not the game I thought it would be.

Meh, the songs were good but that was about it. I can understand if you enjoy this game but it wasnt for me.

This was a beautiful unique little game! I greatly enjoyed exploring all the peaks, valleys and secrets this game had to offer bolstered by the wonderfully atmospheric soundtrack! It really paints a very effective picture of hiking up in the Scottish Highlands My one piece of advice is to TAKE YOUR TIME! It's best taken at a slower pace (you'll stress yourself out trying to force the main goal in your first run and also miss out on where its true value lies). It functions more like a very chill roguelite, with new routes and breadcrumbs of the story being opened up on successive playthroughs. The map gameplay was very engaging (and a little addictive) to work out as was learning more about each peak and from that deducing what item would 'bless' each one. There is a small level of polish that could be added; the rhythm action elements were fun if a little clunky at time and the layers of the levels were very ocassionally hard to navigate but generally it was very fun to ascend a peak and plan my route forwards, a nice facsimile of irl orienteering :) Moira was an endearing protagonist and her back and forth letters with Hamish revealing legends and clues upon sleeping added …

SSR - Pull Bit Pricey for a game that short but other than that a hiddem Gem.

such a darling game with incredible music and wonderful, environmental storytelling. it's a more challenging platform than what i expected, which was a welcome surprise. i didn't make it to the lighthouse in time for beltane, which means i'll just have to keep trying <3

Mòran Dùthchas <3