A Highland Song, the latest game by developers Inkle, is a narrative adventure game where you traverse the hills of Scotland on a journey to the sea. The folklore-inspired game with rhythm game and platformer mechanics caught my eye and I wanted to share my first impressions with you.
A copy of this game was provided for the purposes of this review.
In A Highland Song, you play as Moira McKinnon, a teen runaway, who has decided to trek through the Scottish Highlands and make her way towards the sea and the lighthouse her Uncle resides in. The trek is not easy, but her determination and curiosity compel her to continue journeying through the hills and valleys that carry stories and songs among the trees and trails.
A few different mechanics are utilized in the gameplay, thus keeping it interesting. Open platforming is the most prominent as you must run, jump, and climb the terrain. You will even have sections that are synced with music, and you must jump in time with the song. But you have to be careful as you do have a health bar that can tragically decrease if you’re too reckless. There is also weather that can harm your health, like incessant downpours that soak you to the bone and cause a permanent decrease in possible health. I personally experienced the significant impact of decreased health in my first run, and it can really hinder your ability to progress.
There is also some light puzzle solving where you can find interesting spots along your way that may require certain items found down the trail. You will also have maps that you must decipher to figure out where to go. Some maps are easier to figure out than others, and you will even have a couple of maps to choose from for your next steps.
A Highland Song is undeniably beautiful, with stunning scenery as the backdrop of the entire game. The watercolor scenes are so gorgeous and it makes you want to go explore the Scottish Highlands yourself. The music, which is a significant part of the game, is also quite lovely.
When it comes to the story, I only scratched the surface with what I have played thus far. We learn the secrets and myths of the hills and valleys through Moira’s memories and letters her uncle sent. Each peak has a moment of thought, be it pondering the origins of the mountaintop’s name or recalling past events in Moira’s childhood.
Overall, A Highland Song is a compelling game that I would highly recommend. It is stunningly beautiful with diverse gameplay and an interesting slow-build narrative. I have played many of Inkle’s games, and A Highland Song is one of my favorites.
A Highland Song is available on PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch.
This definitely looks interesting!!