The Flame in the Flood

 Switch
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  1. The Games Machine
    Oct 24, 2017
    73
    The Flame in the Flood is a strange survival rogue-lite. Despite an interesting setting and a charming OST, the game lacks in offering a balanced gameplay, mostly because of the high incidence of random events.
  2. Switch Player
    Oct 26, 2017
    70
    The Flame in the Flood comes to fill the survival genre gap on Switch. With a unique and enjoyable art style and soundtrack, it is a very brutal experience, that may not hit the target due to a cluttered inventory and crafting systems, but still delivers a poignant adventure.
  3. Pocket Gamer UK
    Oct 20, 2017
    70
    The Flame in the Flood is an absorbing survival game with bags of heart and some genuinely interesting ideas. Its constituent parts can grow wearisome, but there's always a majestic river nearby to sweep you onto the next challenge.
  5. Nintendo Life
    Oct 16, 2017
    70
    The Flame in the Flood is a gorgeous title that tries to find a good balance between realism and difficulty. The ideas and concepts are smart and make sense, but don’t expect them to delve too much deeper that what is presented at the start. A few nitpicks with the menu system and cumbersome inventory management take a bit away from the experience, but the core mechanics work well. The Flame in the Flood is a good addition to the survival genre, and another satisfying inclusion to the ever growing eShop library.
  6. Metro GameCentral
    Oct 16, 2017
    70
    Not the deepest wilderness survival game in terms of gameplay, but certainly one of the most atmospheric and thought-provoking.
  7. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Jan 7, 2018
    60
    A fascinating but flawed journey down a roaring river. [Issue #31 – January/February 2018, p. 23M]
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  8. FNintendo
    Nov 3, 2017
    60
    The Flame in the Flood's survival mechanics are worthy of praise. The game has a very well-made background world and an interesting crafting system that puts the players in the middle of the game's concept. However not all of the game's elements are as outstanding and it often feels that it doesn't fully live up to its potential. Nevertheless, dedicated players will be closely around The Flame in the Flood for a long time.
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  1. Tired Old Hack
    Oct 26, 2017
    Given that I don’t usually like roguelike survival games, the fact I thoroughly enjoyed this one due to its unique atmosphere and beautiful soundtrack means fans of the genre will doubtless adore it.

Awards & Rankings

85
#85 Best Switch Game of 2017
69
#69 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2017
81
#81 Most Shared Switch Game of 2017

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 49 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 49
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 49
  3. Negative: 7 out of 49
  1. Voodooseeker
    Dec 25, 2017
    8
    This game got so much atmosphere - I really love the sound/music + how the day changes inkl. weather. I don't think it's an easy game -This game got so much atmosphere - I really love the sound/music + how the day changes inkl. weather. I don't think it's an easy game - actually I find it pretty challening - but you'll learn in time. If you like survial games where you need to do everything all over again because your fails mean a sudden death - this is for you. Perfect for the sweet Nintendo Switch!… Full Review »
  2. busternuck
    Oct 22, 2017
    8
    Challenging. After the first few early deaths, you will learn quickly and prioritise your inventory building - including getting round theChallenging. After the first few early deaths, you will learn quickly and prioritise your inventory building - including getting round the unwieldy crafting system : do most of your crafting at the dock when you have yours, Aesop's and the rafts inventory at your disposal. There's always an element of luck (or rather bad luck) that will result in quick deaths - but that is what survival is all about - you have to roll with the punches and make do on the fly. it's telling that the programmers didn't want a formulaic game where a player can linearly fashion his inventories to see the game out to the ending. You won't find that here. If you can respawn at your last checkpoint before death with inventories intact - then the challenge of the game is lost. Incredible value for USD15.00.… Full Review »
  3. Poincare
    Oct 14, 2017
    3
    I thought I'd roll the dice and try out The Flame in the Flood since it just arrived on the Nintendo Switch. The game is priced reasonably andI thought I'd roll the dice and try out The Flame in the Flood since it just arrived on the Nintendo Switch. The game is priced reasonably and this review accounts for 12 hours of gameplay on the traveler setting with Aesop and the dog.

    The blunt: I'm disappointed with this purchase and overall gameplay. Your character dies way too much and forces you to restart at UNSTRATEGIC checkpoints or the very beginning of the game. Supplies are nowhere. Really, even when the dock you've landed on seems to give a hint of perhaps some supplies. Nope. It's nothing useful or practical. That means, when your hunger or thirst level is at 20%, prepare to die 50 times until you can locate some consumables to give you just +5 nutrition. Really! Repeat this process across 10+ hours of gameplay and it is not enjoyable and extremely limits the value and playability of this title. Also, forget about upgrading your raft to something useful that doesn't cause you to drown another 60 times while trying to find supplies. Since upgrade supplies are either largely missing and non-existent, your overall excitement and engagement with the title dwindles quickly. Additionally, the menu system is overly cumbersome and a real pain in the butt to navigate around.

    The good: Music is unique and sets the context for this title. Art direction is clean but extremely limiting when the game experiences night time. Controls are best engaged with the Nintendo Switch's Pro Controller.

    Final thoughts: Skip it and spend on another title.    … Full Review »
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