A Highland Song

A Highland Song

game

2023, Music, Platform

WISE
94%

WISE Score

81%

IGDB

A poetic, musical trek through the Scottish Highlands that's more about the journey (and the rain) than the destination.

Where to Play

Screenwise Verdict

A Highland Song is a 'playable poem.' If your kid likes the climbing in Zelda but wishes it had more bagpipes and a better script, this is the one. It’s safe, smart, and genuinely beautiful.

It’s rare to find a game that respects a player's intelligence this much while remaining accessible. It doesn't hold your hand with glowing quest markers; it gives you a map and tells you to listen to the wind. For a kid who loves stories and doesn't mind a bit of rain, it’s a masterpiece.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10 and up. While it's visually safe for anyone, the map-reading, survival management, and heavy reading requirements make it a better fit for older kids who have the patience for a mountain trek.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
92

It is a gentle, emotionally resonant journey focused on nature, family, and perseverance. The tone is poetic and grounded in folk tradition without being saccharine.

Imaginative
95

The way it weaves music into mountain traversal is brilliant. The hand-drawn art and branching narrative invite genuine curiosity and repeat exploration.

Safe
98

Single-player indie experience with zero social risks, no microtransactions, and no graphic violence. The primary 'danger' is getting tired or caught in the rain.

Enriching
90

Deeply researched Scottish folklore and geography. It encourages spatial reasoning, map-reading, and an appreciation for slow-paced storytelling.

Parent Info

Why It Might Be Great

  • Branching paths that actually matter; your kid won't see the same mountain twice on different playthroughs.
  • Folk music rhythm sections turn simple traversal into a dance, keeping the movement from feeling like a chore.
  • Stunning hand-drawn art makes the Scottish wilderness look better than it feels in real life.
  • Rich storytelling from Inkle, the studio that basically perfected the modern narrative adventure.

What to Watch For

  • The survival mechanics (fatigue, shelter, weather) can be punishing; Moira needs to rest or she’ll collapse, which might frustrate kids used to invincible protagonists.
  • It is a slow burn. If your kid is looking for high-octane combat or Fortnite-style pacing, they will be bored in ten minutes.

Conversation Starters

  • "Why do you think Moira is so determined to reach the sea by Beltane?"
  • "Which peak was the hardest to climb, and how did you find your way down when the fog rolled in?"
  • "What did you learn about the history of the Highlands from the items you found in the caves?"

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