The gameplay can be best described as an autorunner, as your character naturally moves across a set path throughout the level, and it’s up to you to avoid obstacles and nab those sweet collectibles, occasionally pressing the A button to nail some quick time events. Honestly, I wouldn’t complain about a world like that. Either way, after being visited by a diamond butterfly, you tumble down the rabbit hole as it were, embarking on an ethereal journey to a variety of neon-soaked worlds where motorbike races and sword fights apparently go hand-in-hand. You control a young woman who has experienced the ultimate heartbreak, though it’s not really clear if it’s a broken relationship or some kind of personal loss.

Sayonara Wild Hearts is a much smaller experience than those titles, but it’s no less ambitious, and a completely worthy contender for the ultimate crown. It’s a bold claim, especially in a year that’s already thrown out such bangers as Devil May Cry 5, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Super Mario Maker 2, while games like DOOM: Eternal, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Death Stranding (starring Geoff Keighley) are in the pipeline. However, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it at The Game Awards 2019 as it might just be a GOTY contender. From a purely visual standpoint, it’s not hard to see why, as the beautiful and vibrant contrasting colours gave Wild Hearts some flair in amongst a presentation filled with realistic AAA experiences and Josef Fares not swearing at the camera.

I’ve had my eye on Sayonara Wild Hearts from Simogo ever since it was announced at Geoff Keighley’s Festival of Fun Times, or The Game Awards 2018 if you prefer.

Sayonara wild hearts begin again gold