Pine Hearts Review

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Fast Facts

Explore and Rediscover

In Pine Hearts you play as Tyke, who returns to Pine Hearts Caravan Park to reconnect with memories from his past. Armed with a hillwalking journal, you meet characters who share their own stories. As you progress, you unlock tools and abilities that aid in your journey. You collect handy items that help with exploration, making the adventure both engaging and rewarding.

Rediscovering Tyke’s childhood memories is key to the game, providing a deeper narrative connection. Along the way, you can pet cute dogs, adding charm and warmth to the experience. Every corner of the park holds surprises, inviting you to explore its serene and beautiful environment.

A Touching Tale

Pine Hearts transcends mere adventure; it embodies a heartwarming tale of love, life, and family. Moreover, the game delicately addresses the theme of loss, delivering a narrative that deeply resonates with players. Throughout Tyke’s journey, which gradually unfolds through various upgrades, he acquires new skills such as climbing, hopping, moving stones, and cutting logs. These enhancements not only enrich the gameplay but also deepen the emotional layers of the story.

The relationship between Tyke and his father is central to the narrative. This simple yet profound story unwinds through flashback cinematics, revealing their bond as you enter a dreamlike, imaginative land. These flashbacks add layers to the experience, making Pine Hearts a touching and memorable journey.

Wholesome Classics

Pine Hearts combines RPG progression with level design reminiscent of Dark Souls games. However, instead of combat, the game focuses on puzzles and exploration. The visuals are imaginative and childlike, creating a whimsical and inviting atmosphere. As Tyke, you help villagers with various side quests, adding depth and variety to the gameplay.

Early in the game, you embark on various quests. In one quest, you collect hamburger pieces for a camper to bait a mysterious beast. Then, another task awaits as you search for pieces of a pirate ship scattered along the shore. Additionally, there’s an opportunity to reunite a band and conduct a song for them. These quests showcase the game’s charm and creativity, adding depth to the overall experience. You will quickly see that each townsperson is full of quirky humour and charm through their spoken dialogue.

Accessibility for Everyone

The developers made Pine Hearts accessible for all players. The game features simplified controls for easy play. There is a colour-blocking mode for visual clarity. A black-and-white mode offers an alternative visual style. There is a high contrast mode for better visibility. Visual FX toggles let you customise effects. Font scaling adjusts text size for better readability. Full controller remapping lets you set controls to your liking.

Final Thoughts

Pine Hearts is a charming and heartfelt game for the Nintendo Switch. Its peaceful setting and touching story make it truly special. Moreover, the game’s accessibility features ensure it is enjoyable for everyone. Whether you delight in solving puzzles, embarking on the journey, or petting dogs, Pine Hearts has something for you. So, dive into Pine Hearts Caravan Park and discover its cherished memories.

4 out of 5

4

You can purchase Pine Hearts from the Nintendo eShop.