The Beginning of Something Special

When I opened the email containing my review key for Mythwrecked, it felt like the start of something special—a chance to dig deep into indie games, celebrating the hard work that often goes overlooked. Life, however, had other plans. Between the chaos of the holiday season and looming deadlines, I realized I might have waited too long to comfortably play through the game and write this review. So, I did what anyone in my position would do: booted up the game and jumped in, faster than normal, ready to tackle whatever lay ahead.

At first glance, Mythwrecked felt like a mix of familiar elements: a little fetch-questing here, a little exploration there. As Alex, the protagonist, I found myself helping Hermes, Hera, Zeus, and Ares piece together their memories on the mysterious island of Ambrosia. But as the game’s themes began to unfold, so did my approach. It wasn’t just about checking off tasks—it became a process of remembering why I was there in the first place.

Ambrosia is a living, breathing island with lush details and tranquil soundscapes. The bushes sway as you walk by, the animation seamlessly shifts between a jog and sprint with a charming little hop, and the characters bring the island to life.

Initially, I ignored cozy details like the boombox-laden pillows scattered across the map. But as I settled into the rhythm of the game, I found myself using them, savoring the serene soundtrack and slowing my pace. This also kept me searching for new cassettes throughout my playthrough so my little moments of relaxation could feature new songs as they were discovered.

Finding Sanctuary

The lighthouse Alex calls home became a personal sanctuary, gradually filling with furnishings as I progressed. The game simplifies the process of decorating your quarters by automatically placing newly discovered items for you when you return to your room. While I usually enjoy customizing my space in games, this hands-off approach was a welcome relief as the game progressed, allowing me to focus on the journey without added decision fatigue. Each night’s rest brought a refreshing sense of renewal, complete with fresh ambrosia fruit to harvest the next morning. Feeding the birds alongside Hermes—even apologizing to them when food supplies ran out—was another simple, heartwarming activity that grounded the experience.

Mythwrecked excels at encouraging you to savor these moments. The map isn’t sprawling, and you’ll retrace your steps often, but the game’s pacing feels deliberate. It turns repetition into ritual, helping you notice and appreciate the finer details of the world. Think Metroidvania meets cozy exploration—“Metroidcozyia”...”Cozyvania”? We’ll workshop the term later.

What truly shines is the journey of rediscovery. As Alex, you uncover relics, connect them to their divine owners, and help these gods piece together their identities. Watching Alex evolve from a wary outsider to a trusted friend adds emotional depth to the narrative.

The gods’ personal quests to rekindle relationships and rediscover themselves mirror the player’s own gradual immersion into the game’s world. There are many more faces to meet and dive into, but I'll leave those introductions for you to discover. You will also have to balance time of day for the early interactions with said gods, only being able to meet up with them during a specific block of time throughout each day. This is of course until you build up a strong enough friendship for them to allow Alex into each of their homes.

A Much-Needed Change of Pace

Indie games often charm us with their sincerity, and Mythwrecked is no exception. But beyond its indie appeal, this is a thoughtful, engaging adventure—a much-needed change of pace at the end of a hectic year. It reminded me to slow down and enjoy the journey, not just the destination, much like its main character.

Final Thoughts

RECOMMENDED

If you’re looking for a game that balances nostalgia, charm, and introspection, Mythwrecked is an absolute must-play. It’s a heartfelt experience that I can wholeheartedly recommend, and I hope it helps you savor life’s small moments as much as it did for me.