Honeypot Games has opened the doors to imagination — and danger. The studio has launched a public Steam playtest for Recital of the Heart, a top-down action-adventure metroidvania that sends players into a surreal mirror dimension where classic literature, history, and imagination collide.
This early public build gives PC players their first hands-on look at a world where fiction becomes reality — and every battle feels like it was written into destiny.
A Journey Through A Living Library of Dreams
Set partly in the real world and partly inside a shifting mirror dimension, Recital of the Heart follows Gregory as he hunts down mirror shards guarded by obsessive and tormented foes. His mission: return home, rewrite his fate, and reunite with his love, Eliza.
The environment is layered with references to iconic characters, historical figures, and the lingering spirits of their creators — turning each area into a living commentary on art, obsession, and memory.
According to cofounder Kiefer Nemeth, the concept has been maturing for decades:
“Recital of the Heart began as a literal childhood dream… this game has been waiting to be made for almost 20 years.”
That personal origin story gives the project an authentic emotional core — rare in modern action-adventure games.
Combat, Strategy, and Creativity Intertwine
Recital of the Heart blends traditional metroidvania exploration with bullet-hell intensity and methodical one-on-one encounters. Players constantly shift strategies depending on the threats ahead.
Build, adapt, and experiment
- Brushes – powerful close-range melee weapons
- Magical instruments – ranged attacks that control space
- Tempos – movement abilities that reshape combat flow
Swapping tools mid-fight becomes essential. A slow, shielded enemy may require a heavy Inkwell strike, followed by agile Quill attacks that chip away openings.
Players also unlock Flourishes, modifiers that transform abilities — adding effects like triple-shot attacks or reactive bullet deflection. Combined with evolving enemy patterns, every encounter becomes a creative puzzle as much as a battle.
Kand: Companion, Guide — and Projectile
Gregory isn’t alone. His companion Kand provides guidance, humor, and unexpected tactical support. Players can:
- Toss Kand at enemies
- Use Kand to block incoming bullets
- Experiment with risky strategies that may cause satisfying (and slightly guilt-inducing) slapstick moments
It’s equal parts touching, comedic, and surprisingly strategic.
A Playtest Built for Player Feedback
Honeypot Games consists of just two developers, making community participation critical. The Steam playtest invites players to explore early content, uncover systems, and help shape balance, pacing, and design before launch.
The studio openly encourages feedback — and hopes players will “venture beyond the veil” to experience the emotional, dreamlike world they’re building.
Why Recital of the Heart Deserves Attention
Recital of the Heart stands out because it merges literary storytelling, tight action combat, and experimental design — all wrapped in a surreal world that feels deeply personal.
For fans of metroidvania exploration, thoughtful combat, and narrative games that linger long after the credits roll, this Steam playtest is worth joining.
Honeypot Games is inviting players to help refine a dream nearly twenty years in the making — and dreams like this deserve to be seen.
