The Flame in the Flood Reviews
Fans of the survival genre will find something refreshing in The Flame in the Flood. And although it can be a little rough around the edges at times, the themes and design of the game make for an interesting and enveloping game.
I love difficult games, but The Flame in the Flood didn't test my resolve—it tested my patience. A stellar look and an awesome soundtrack made me want to love The Molasses Flood's first release, but with so many technical setbacks, I could hardly even stomach my time with it. I won't be returning to the flood.
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.
Lovely and challenging with enjoyable crafting and survival elements, but poor river controls make it harsher than it should be.
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.
The Flame in the Flood does not afford the player leisure time to stop and take in the sights. The survival system here, complete with all of the afflictions that are actively working against you, is the high point of the game, and is something that continually presents the player with a real challenge throughout their journey. It's a constant battle of intense survival where planning for the present and future is always a necessity. If we're really talking about the end of society, that's exactly how it should be.
Set in a rural post-societal America, The Flame in the Flood is one part Noah's Ark, one part Oregon Trail, and two parts grit and determination.
Where I'm at with the game now is that I do enjoy playing and it's because it offers a beautiful and non-overwhelming survival option. I also find that the repetition of crafting and of landscape and of encounters combined with changes in biome end up feeling like verses in a song – familiar but with some of the beats changed up. But I also find that I feel I'm spinning my wheels a lot, that the systems aren't creating interesting or varied stories.
The Flame in the Flood is certainly not without its flaws, but it hasn't deterred me from playing it on a daily basis.
