The Flame in the Flood

It may take you a few attempts to get a handle on the game’s ecosystem and pace, to unlearn what you have learnt from the countless other survival games out there. But once you have, you will find a game that opens up the survival genre for those looking for a more short paced fix.

The Flame in the Flood is a grim game that challenges players not only with gameplay, but also with subtle ideas about life and humankind. Yet, despite how literary the game can be, it's a deeply enjoyable experience that scratches the primal itch of surviving in the wild.

There are times that The Flame in the Flood feels like the world is against you. And it is. But that’s the mechanic you are dealing with here. You will die, a lot. If that runs counter to what you find fun, this game might not be for you. But if you’d like to try something entirely unique, look no further.

Thrilling survival game that uses great atmosphere and smart ideas for a well done twist in the rogue-like genre.

The Flame in the Flood is a rogue-like survival game with great attention for exploration and inventory management.

The Flame in the Flood is a challenging game, but the kind that will likely have you trying again, rather than throwing things across the room.

The Flame in the Flood is a challenging survival game, full of risks and choices accompanied by an excellent soundtrack and beautiful artwork.

As well rounded as unforgiving and visually engaging. The Flame in the Flood almost becomes an outstanding game, but some minor flaws prevent that.

There is a bit too much repetition in the experience. It's a good game, but lacks staying power.

The Flame in the Flood offers up a sometimes overly-difficult survival adventure, but the fantastic visuals and tense gameplay provide plenty of reasons to keep going.

It's beautiful to explore, its mechanics are easy to grasp, and before long, you'll find yourself pushing harder to make it just one more camp, just one more night and just one more week. Provided you can stave off the wolves.

The Flame in the Flood will impress players during the first few hours with its style and the way its survival mechanics interact with one another, but the game will likely only keep fans of the rogue genre engaged in the long term.

Still, The Flame in the Flood offers a genuinely new variation on the survival game theme, tuned, focused and confident in its execution.

The Flame in the Flood encourages you to put long-term goals aside and live in the moment, to make choices and overcome short-term problems with risky but satisfying spontaneity. Despite the awkward menu system, it’s an absorbing game that lets you experience a journey in the present, and fully appreciate the sights, sounds, and joys of floating down the river in its alluring world.

The Flame in the Flood is an aesthetically stunning piece of survival Americana with strong art direction, held back only by its clunky game mechanics. [Apr 2016]

On the surface, it appears to be a charming, survival title. That’s merely a ruse, as The Flame in the Flood is ruthless in difficulty, at least for the first few hours. Overall, it’s a great, enjoyable game, though the experience can wear a little thin after a while.

An impressive shake-up of survival tropes - but dedicated fans of the genre may be left wanting. [Apr 2016, p.74]

In The Flame in the Flood you have to deal with a long, tempestuous river. Whenever possible, you check out islands for food or drinks. As survival game The Flame in the Flood is very impressive, but after six hours you will probably have experienced all there is to this game.

The Flame in the Flood is a challenging survival game with a marvelous river as main actor into the shadows.