When you are looking to convey an emotional tale of love, darkness and compromise, then the one man to call just might be legendary British actor, comic and writer Stephen Fry. That’s just what Rogue Sun and Wired Productions, the teams behind Tin Hearts, have done, with a gripping animated short narrated by Mr Fry being released alongside the launch of the game.
Following a recent exclusive release on Nintendo Switch, Tin Hearts is today launching on Xbox, PlayStation and PC platforms. Tin Hearts is a narrative puzzle game that will be sure to tug on your heartstrings. Throughout the 50+ levels of puzzling action, you will be guided through the tale of Victorian inventor Albert J. Butterworth – now that’s a Victorian name, if I’ve ever heard one!
Each level will have you guiding a set of tin soldiers through a tabletop path, asking you to clear the way of toys acting as obstacles, such that they can reach the exit. You’ll be making use of trampolines, balloon-blowing devices and much more in order to transport the soldiers across the larger-than-life levels. Keep an eye out across each beautifully-crafted level for clues regarding the wider story at play, as you are filled with nostalgia of your own childhood.
For some these environments may remind you of arcade racer Mad Tracks (or something similar, like 2022’s Mini Madness), what with all the children’s toys looming over your soldiers. It’s certainly incredibly charming.
The key features list as…
- EMBARK ON A TRAIL OF PUZZLES: Control toy cannons to clear the way ahead, bounce to new heights using trampoline drums and manipulate balloon inflating machines to help the soldiers reach their destination!
- UNRAVEL THE STORY: Discover a deeply emotional story spanning generations and dimensions, masterfully woven into the fabric of this puzzle-filled world. Clues are everywhere, seek them out and you will be rewarded with a heartfelt tale, beautifully voiced and animated over three acts.
- EXPLORE A MAGICAL WORLD: Feel like a child in a toy store as you immerse yourself in a magical, alternate-timeline Victorian universe full of nostalgic warmth and charm.
- USE YOUR IMAGINATION: Unlock powers to control objects in the world, from wooden blocks to drums to toy trains. Link objects in interesting ways as you build paths to the exit for your fearless tin soldiers to follow, and slowly reveal the secrets of their past.
- MANIPULATE TIME: Pause, fast-forward and rewind time to change the outcome of your actions and complete increasingly intricate puzzles.
- ENJOY THE MEMORABLE SOUNDTRACK: Take your time working through the relaxing puzzles and enjoy the poignant soundtrack, from award-winning composer Matthew Chastney, whose credits include trailers for ‘JOKER’, ‘Chernobyl’, and ‘Bridgerton’.
- FROM THE DEVELOPERS OF FABLE: Tin Hearts is brought to life by former members of the exceptionally talented Lionhead Studios development team, responsible for the critically acclaimed Fable series.
Leo Zullo, Managing Director of Wired Productions said, “Toy Soldiers by Martika is such an iconic song, but if you actually listen to the lyrics, it perfectly reflects the story of Tin Hearts. It was an instant decision to get Black Razor Records to create a new version that matches the emotion of the game perfectly, sung beautifully by the amazing Aisha.”
Kostas Zarifis, Managing Director of Rogue Sun and Tin Hearts’ Creative Director, said “It’s an emotional time for us! Our baby gets to spread its wings on all platforms! We’ve released some awesome trailers leading up to this point, but we always knew we wanted to do something truly special for this one. During development we’d often semi-jokingly play “Toy Soldiers” on different occasions; it’s been our sort of team anthem, for obvious reasons. When Wired came to us with the idea of using it on the launch trailer we were ecstatic! Our creative juices started flowing and we immediately got to work! Today we’re super proud to share with you not just the final game, but this launch trailer, which we feel perfectly captures the emotional journey Tin Hearts will take you on”
Tin Hearts is now available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, Switch and PC. Before heading over to the Xbox Store to pick up a copy for £24.99, we implore you to check out the animated short for the game, narrated by Stephen Fry – it’s a real beauty – as well as the official launch trailer. We’ve linked them below for your viewing pleasure!
You’d do well to check out our full review of Tin Hearts on Xbox Series X|S too.
Game Description:
Behind every brilliant invention, hides an incredible story. From members of the team that brought you Fable, comes Tin Hearts – an immersive puzzle adventure game wrapped in a powerful tale of love and compromise. Guide a troop of mischievous tin soldiers through a magical toy-filled world using a variety of whimsical and inventive contraptions to bounce, shoot and glide them to their goal. March through 50+ levels of time-bending, soldier-routing riddles, forge new paths for your toys to follow, and solve increasingly elaborate puzzles to unravel the emotional, thought-provoking story, of Albert J. Butterworth, a genius inventor of Victorian times.
