The Wild at Heart is without a doubt the single biggest surprise of the year. It is honestly difficult to find the right words to describe it. It is in many ways a game that feels kind in everything it does. As an exploration of trauma, it does well to explore the reasons people lose themselves, hurt those they love, and even how they can be forgiven. It does all this with a real earnest heart and despite its somber moments is never afraid to embrace the whimsical nature of childhood. As magical as the woods of The Wild at Heart are, they feel like a recollection of our own explorations of the wilderness as youth--Spritelings and all. This is all supported by some stunning production values in the games art and music which are really incredible.

There are very few indie games from this year that felt as stunning to wander around than The Wild at Heart. The aesthetic just gets at that sense of magical realism that suits its narrative intent and creates the environment for a really good video game. Because it is a very good game as well. The puzzle design feels intuitive and created a nice balance between simple relaxing puzzles and ones that genuinely felt smart. The Spritelings bring a literal sense of life to the puzzles that help you feel part of a team when you solve a trickier problem. The design is purposeful and clear in its vision. There is no doubt when I say that The Wild at Heart is an unrelentingly charming title with a wonderful fusion of Pikmin-like puzzles and heartfelt storytelling. I highly recommend it. Rarely has a game been just so impressive at every level coming out of absolutely nowhere.