Game Rant gives an exclusive early look into Particle Hearts, the adventure video game seeking to lure players into its surreal world and one-of-a-kind puzzles. Developed by Underwater Fire in Los Angeles and put out by First Break Labs, it is ready to be launched on August 25 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
Particle Hearts gravitates heavily toward the exploration aspect in its world of visible particles. These very particles, we hear, are also tied up in the gameplay; it is not just an aesthetic choice. Players gain powers to interact with the particles surrounding them; even the basic line of tackling challenges in the game is built on twisting and turning these particles in one way or the other.
A recent video overview by Game Rant went on to reveal the gist of the game. Narrated by Jess Feidt, an Underwater Fire founder and one who has had her fair share of exposure in Call of Duty, the featurette takes a closer look at the mechanics of the game. The showcase instigates with an early scene in which a bull-horned protagonist earns his first ability: Burst. Through it, the protagonist turns into particles, the effect allowing him to go past specific barriers. Feidt demonstrated this on a thorny wall leading up to a Figment Gate—mysterious glowing portals transporting players to different worlds filled with many of the game’s complex puzzles. The gates seem to work similarly to Shrines in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
Burst is not only aimed at overcoming obstacles but will be vital for the platforming sections, enabling players to dash through the air when jumping. The gameplay of one of the Figment Gate worlds conveyed this, where the level design encourages players to make strategic use of their Burst ability in crossing platforms of different types, moving among them. Furthermore, the preview demonstrated how Burst could also come in handy for moving upwards by allowing players to drop through specific material flooring, such as a huge grate.
Particle Hearts seeks to explore the myriad combinations of Burst and other unexplained abilities as its gameplay unfolds, thus ensuring a range of puzzle-and-platforming challenges. A demo of the game previously featured in the Steam Next Fest is still available to download from Valve’s digital store, allowing potential players to check out some of its unique mechanics before the long-awaited launch.
