Tin Hearts is the first game from Guildford-based studio Rogue Sun, a studio made up from ex members of the team that worked on the Fable series. This pedigree is certainly visible in the game’s sense of wonder and fairytale charm. However, Tin Hearts is a total shift in terms of gameplay from the fabled past works, a narrative-driven puzzle adventure at its core.
Tin Souls
You must guide a troop of mischievous tin soldiers through a world filled with dangers by shooting and gliding them to their end goal on each level. Of which there are over 50 levels to overcome, all while an interesting tale unfolds around you.
Set in Victorian times, Tin Hearts puts you in the reliable hands of genius toy maker/inventor Albert J. Butterworth. And although the main soul of this game is a puzzle adventure, the tale it tells is interwoven around it perfectly. Telling a great story that is full of heart, warmth and most importantly really it’s all well written.
Mechanical Toys
You move from room to room in what feels like the largest townhouse in the world. You discover memories from Albert’s past as well as that of his family (wife and daughter). Slowly these threads all come together in a truly touching way. Tin Hearts will melt and break your heart in equal measure.
Tin Hearts is a puzzler in the Lemmings games vein. That is, you endeavour to move troops from one side of a room to the exit using brainpower to work out the best way to do so.
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In Tin Hearts, you move objects like blocks and drums as well as using other abilities. Most of these abilities are learned later in the game.
Curve of War
Tin Hearts starts out nice and easy but you’ll meet your share of head-scratching moments along the way. Especially as the game ups the challenge and adds functionality to your tin cohort.
But, to its credit, Tin Hearts adds in new features and abilities at the right pace. The game gives you time to understand how and what they can be used for before incorporating them into grander puzzle sets.
Additonally, the game allows you to speed things up to see how your solutions will fare. And the game lets you rewind – something that purists may scoff at but is a huge convenience for players.
Christmas Card Aesthetic
Tin Hearts aesthetic is charming and full of whimsy. The game often looks like a Victorian Christmas card come to life. From your brigade of soldiers, to the rooms you find yourself in – it’s all treated with the same style.
Tin Hearts‘ audio is a very grand with an almost Disney-sounding score. The soundtrack is also highly emotional with composer Matthew Chastney not pulling punches when it came to tugging heartstrings.The voice actors also deliver an outstanding performance across the board. The vox and delivery does much to hammer home the themes and story.
Toy Box of Joy
The biggest issues with Tin Hearts are ones that VR titles often have when played on flatscreen platforms. The camera can be erratic and movement can feel clunky.
Tin Hearts is a magical toy-filled title laden with charm and quirkiness in equal measures. You can feel the developers’ childhood at points such is the care and love on show. If you’re looking for a retro-inspired puzzler, this is well worth your time.