Survival games rarely clicked for me in the past, as I often found myself running around without any sort of goal. Sure, I needed to constantly keep my vital meters filled, but I was often left without any sort of progression. That lack of direction always hurt my enjoyment, as I could only get lost in Don’t Starve so many times until I eventually gave up on braving the harsh world that was generated specifically to kill me.
Thankfully, The Flame in the Flood has a very direct goal that is easy to understand. The player is attempting to get to the bottom of the river that they (they travel with a cute dog named Aesop) call home, as they live in a massively flooded area that is reminiscent to the central US. To do this, they’ll have to live off the land as they float down the dangerous river and try to avoid the dangerous weather that has already altered their lives to such a degree.
Missed the Boat
This also separates the game into two distinct sections: on foot and rafting. The former is exactly what people expect from a survival game, as players will navigate the small environments they dock at. These areas can range from a farm to what used to be a bar. No matter what location you stop at, though, they all will contain different sorts of plants, and items can be found within. These items are essential to surviving, as players will have to deal with various ailments (such as weather or animal attacks) alongside managing their hydration level, hunger, re...