After being housed in Google Stadia exclusivity, Gylt is the latest entry from RiME developer Tequila Works. While Zelda influences its predecessor, Gylt is much scarier.
Inspiring from Silent Hill, Gylt is a solid title that doesn’t seem willing to stray from its influences. Your cousin Emily has disappeared, and you must find her before it’s too late. As you flee from bullies, you find yourself in an alternate version of your hometown. Now you must find Emily in these awesome environments. However, depending on your ending, the game has sweet, emotionally resonant conclusions.
To accomplish this, the game tasks you with solving puzzles, most of which involve using a flashlight, until later when you’re given a fire extinguisher to freeze things. Although the puzzles are satisfying, they don’t feel new.
The idea is pretty standard, like closing the circuit, balancing pressure in pipes to get past some steam. The flashlight, your primary item, even feels like it mimics Alan Wake mechanically. It’s not that other titles don’t draw inspiration from their peers, but they usually have something distinctive to offer. With one exception, Gylt is a collection of ideas from other titles.
Gylt’s combat is weak. Fortunately, a stealth system makes it easy to avoid fighting. And it’s worth it because combat is tiresome. In order to kill enemies, you must shine your flashlight on their weak spots, but between the aim assist and the fact that baddies don’t often reveal their weak spots well, it’s best to skip combat. While you won’t run out of resources if you destroy every enemy you encounter, your time will be better spent hunting for engaging collectibles that greatly expand the game.
There have certainly been better times at Tequila Works, but Gylt still holds up.
Pros:
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The surreal stuff is great.
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System for stealth.
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Engaging puzzles.
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Collectibles are worth it.
Cons:
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Combat is dull.
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It doesn’t feel fresh or new.
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It’s a little narrative, but it’s good.
Over a 10 I’d give it a 6.
