Fire Tonight, by developer Reptoid Games and publisher Way Down Deep, offers a unique blend of puzzle-solving, roleplay, and exploration. The jumps between character flashbacks and mystery landscapes are refreshing and engaging, keeping you absorbed in the story that unweaves before them. This is a game that is artistically crafted for the player who likes to take their time to fully explore and understand the world around them.
Fire Tonight was initially released by Reptoid Games and Way Down Deep in late 2020, and will officially be coming to Nintendo Switch, Mac, and Windows PC in August, 2021. The game delivers a unique blend of puzzle-solving and mystery, combined with heartwarming romance and self reflection. The majority of the game consists of figuring out how to carve out a path through the numerous hurdles the landscapes have to offer, and it pushes the players to think, be creative, and not give up when they hit a dead end.
The game starts with a young couple, Maya and Devin. Maya, our protagonist, has found love in a new city, but is worried about whether she has taken the right steps in life. As the young lovers reflect on their relationship and memories together over the phone, Maya ponders her own actions and finds herself wondering if the choices she has made actually matter. However, these thoughts are abruptly interrupted as the call between them drops dead.
Sudden fires have erupted all over the city, rendering Maya’s cell useless and payphones busted. Both individuals are on their own, and have to decide what to do next. Maya realizes that, at this moment in time, her choices matter more than ever. Every step she takes will either bring her closer to Devin, or deeper lost into the city that’s been set ablaze.
We follow Maya’s journey through winding streets and alleyways, dodging flames and obstacles that pop up around every corner. Each new part of the city is a maze, containing its own game of lost and found, with gates and paths that can only be unlocked by attaining small, glowing keys that are scattered throughout each location.
In between unlocking city puzzles with Maya, the players also get to see how Devin is handling this sudden separation. Throughout the game, we catch glimpses of their relationship from both perspectives. While Maya explores the city, players explore Devin’s apartment, full of knick knacks and souvenirs that reveal more and more about this unique couple.
In terms of what this game has to visually offer, Fire Tonight is thoughtfully animated and filled with captivating details. In comparison to games that are fast-paced and full of action, this game makes players slow down and think, fully taking into account each and every scene that is presented before them. Each small part of every location, which may initially seem trivial to Maya’s overall mission, ends up revealing a little bit more about the world Maya and Devin are immersed in.
In between levels, the developers also throw in a fun, lighthearted roller skating scene where Maya has to weave through cars and flames in the city to get to her next destination. This section provides a brief change of pace from the puzzle-like sections that dominate the game, which are well crafted, but can become monotonous for players who aren’t huge fans of challenging explore-and-solve adventures.
At certain sections of the game, the playthrough can become quite repetitive. As Maya runs deeper into the city, levels become more difficult, and you may find yourself getting caught in loops, or stuck in alleyways or rooftops. The new paths you find may end up bringing you right back to square one, forcing you to start again with a new perspective. For players who enjoy problem solving, this is a game that requires resilience and determination to solve. On the flip side, gamers who are more interested in deep storytelling and having the experience brought to them may find that this game doesn’t have much to offer in that category. Fire Tonight scores a 7/10 overall – the slow pace of the game comes across as a little lackluster at times, but I still recommend everyone to give it a shot – if not for the problem solving, then for the art and thought-provoking storyline that simmers throughout the game.
Check Out the Fire Tonight Trailer:
Fire Tonight will be available Thursday, Aug. 12 on Nintendo Switch and Windows PC and Mac via Steam.
To learn more about Fire Tonight, please visit the official website and join the community on Twitter and Facebook.
Related: FIRE TONIGHT Narrative Puzzle Heading to Nintendo and Steam Aug. 12
Steam Review
College student who grew up loving writing, and got drawn into the world of gaming during the pandemic. When I'm not exploring new games, I like to code, watch anime, or make pixel art.
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