A Highland Song Review (tkoshark)
Inkle's got some of the smartest devs in all of gaming. This was just as clear to me from their tour-de-dorce, Heaven's Vault, as it was from humbler mobile titles like 80 Days. The quality of the ideas, the beauty of the writing, the cleverness of the design--all those signature things about their games are very much here, too. I'm not even particularly passionate about platforming, but this is a game that does it well, all in the dazzlingly beautiful backdrop of the Scottish highlands (very vaguely reminiscent of Ghibli coloring) rendered with some of Inkle's finest art to date. There's something very satisfying about climbing peaks as Moira, who is no(t exactly) superhuman but an average(ish) teenage girl clambering over rocks, potentially losing grip; it's nice being faced with these hills as someone other than Ezio Auditore. And the music--this has got to be one of the best game soundtracks I've heard in years, with Lawrence Chapman composing a stunning score along with some really amazing Scottish folk artists. Some games are like poetry and this is one of them.
My only regret is that I bought this for Steam rather than Switch. I feel like this experience would have been twice as satisfying with console controls. Didn't stop me from making it on Beltane on my first try, though! But in any event, thanks, Inkle, for producing yet another wonderful piece of art.