Rage Against the Inferno: A Review of Flash Point Fire Rescue
The Flash Point Fire Rescue game can be pretty intense. Like, melt your face off, it just won’t let up, raging inferno out-of-control intense. Question is: can you take the heat?
Flash Point is designed by Kevin Lanzing and published through Indie Boards & Cards. It is a cooperative game in which you work together to fight fires and rescue victims from the blazing inferno that is destroying their home. I love collaborative games so this is one of my favorites. The pieces are really well made and the setup is pretty easy to get the hang of. Sadly, there are not enough compartments in the box, nor did they give you baggies to separate everything, but it’s pretty easy to sort through the pieces if you are careful about how you arrange them when you put them away and you don’t make a habit of shaking all your boxes regularly like it’s Christmas or something.
There are two modes; I am intentionally reviewing the easier starter mode because it is more kid-friendly. We’ve even played this version with a five-year old who had a blast, but you may want to consider your child’s maturity level and whether or not they can handle not getting the kitty out safely before you jump in… (If the kitty perishing would induce a crying fit or nightmares, wait a little longer. I know 30+ year olds who cannot handle this, so it isn’t the game for everyone.)
The starting setup begins with two points of interest (potential victims) awaiting rescue while on the loo and another trapped in the dining room who could have just booked out the door but didn’t. Gotta admit, I’d hide on the toilet if I couldn’t get out too, though. The fire is spreading through the kitchen into the main family room towards one of the doors. Each player chooses which door to come in on and gets four actions. Moving one square takes an action. Spraying fire to take it back to smoke is an action. Spraying a smoldering square to get rid of smoke uses one action. Opening a door equals one action. Dragging an unconscious victim requires two actions, as does chopping a hole in the wall (though if the raging inferno of fire causes an explosion it may just knock a hole in the wall for you). You can also bank actions you didn’t use for later.
Every player takes their four actions plus any banked actions they wish to use and then rolls to see where the fire pops up next. If you are lucky, you roll a totally untouched square which starts to smolder with smoke. If you are unlucky, you roll an existing fire and it explodes in all four grid directions, sending more fire out at an alarming rate, knocking doors off their hinges, injuring victims and blowing holes in walls. It doesn’t take long for the fire to start to spread…
My character firefighter was rescuing this victim when a nearby fire exploded, injuring the victim and myself. In the kid-friendly situation, the injured victim has to be treated at the hospital and you have to get fixed up so you start at the nearest blue EMT square. In reality, neither of you would be so lucky.
The goal is to rescue 7 victims. Some points of interest have victims to be rescued (including the aforementioned kitty and also a puppy, as well as all sorts of humans) but some are empty blanks. We started this game drawing all blanks and it destroyed us.
We only managed to rescue 6 victims, though we did get the kitty out. The puppy was not appearing in this film. As I’d mentioned, those who aren’t saved require more medical attention; the game doesn’t want to depress you thinking that they died because you twiddled your thumbs or chose the wrong exit strategy or something for all that they totally died. As did your firefighter character who was in the building with the inferno but was conveniently time warp transported to the nearest EMT platform.
After easy mode, there are specialized firefighters who have differing abilities, as well as hot spots that blow up instantaneously and hazmat chemicals. Because it wasn’t enough to fight fires in a normal home, there had to be a meth lab… But I didn’t review that version because it’s more complicated and less kid-friendly, and there just aren’t enough good cooperative kid-friendly games out there that aren’t totally lame (or sparkle lamé or both). That version does make for better storytelling later though, like the bigger fish caught at the lake on that special weekend…
I give Flash Point Fire Rescue 4.5 Cthulus.
(4.5 / 5)
I really like Flash Point. It’s actually pretty hard with only two people because you just can’t get good enough coverage on the house, fire and points of interest. The game plays best with four, even if that’s two players playing two firefighters each. If you are interested in buying the game and battling fire with fire yourself, you can find it on Amazon here.
Just remember, when you purchase anything from the links provided, we get some $ back so the Dark Lord says shop away…
Other collaborative games I have reviewed here on Haunted MTL include Horrified, Sub Terra, The Grizzled, Mysterium and Elder Sign.
Gaming
Lovecraft Meets Junji Ito in WORLD OF HORROR
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games.
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games. The game is available on macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. This review will cover the Steam (Windows) version of the game.
You must explore the strange goings on around Shiokawa, Japan. It appears that eldritch forces have influenced the town in incomprehensible ways. So, attempt to comprehend these forces and maintain your sanity to save the town. Plan your investigations, choose between cases, and fight for your life.
There are a few game modes but three difficulty spikes. The easiest is a specific case with some random events. This mode teaches you the basic mechanics of the game. The harder difficulties give you access to an apartment and choices on which case you investigate. Completing objectives earns you customization options for the customized mode.
What I Like About WORLD OF HORROR
Running on GameMaker Studios, the pixelated aesthetic shows influences from Lovecraft and Junji Ito, though the latter more so than the former. WORLD OF HORROR haunts its viewers with its aesthetic, allowing the pixels to evoke those horror legends.
Random generation remains a key feature of the game, with various options and choices giving a massive variety. Your character also has some limited customization to access perks and further development. I will bring up some weaknesses later, but it is surprisingly vast. Adding to this variety, WORLD OF HORROR provides mod accessibility.
The combat allows for a great deal of thought and planning. You select your character’s actions within an action bar and perform the tasks (or combos) to beat an opponent. This JRPG style provides variety in action that makes it engaging and unique.
The random generation and variety make each playthrough different. You might acquire a devastating katana in one playthrough only to bleed out unceremoniously in another.
While not a terrifying gaming experience, WORLD OF HORROR strives to provide an eerie and intense experience. At this, the game is a success. The weird and unnerving collide to invest the player in this strange world.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
Body horror deserves a mention, but the aesthetic and pixels doesn’t particularly evoke realism. Regardless, many designs evoke body horror.
Aside from this, here are some points of consideration. First, WORLD OF HORROR uses JRPG turn-based combat, which seems a point of division among some gamers. However, there are enough interesting mechanics and complexities beyond clicking an action and waiting your turn.
Second, WORLD OF HORROR isn’t a cult detective. You’re experiencing events and choosing how your character responds. Some sage wisdom I heard for WORLD OF HORROR is to focus on the whole campaign instead of a single case. Failing a case isn’t a game over, so prioritize your character’s longevity.
What I Dislike About WORLD OF HORROR
Only a few issues hindered my experience. Some scenarios replay on a single case, let alone a playthrough, which becomes repetitive. Some scenarios have multiple solutions to add variety or require perks to access new options, but that’s not always true. This issue makes the randomization taxing at times.
This next issue is likely a bug or an oversight. After losing my reason (sanity), I found myself still able to investigate despite the game claiming that means death. An unrelated event finished me off, but I can’t help but assume this is a bug.
Final Thoughts
WORLD OF HORROR has its quirks but earns massive replay value and surprising depth. It’s a unique and ambitious indie title worth the price. If Junji Ito’s style or cosmic horror is your particular brand of horror, WORLD OF HORROR delivers an experience you’ll likely enjoy. Though this combination synergizes well, few games combine these elements successfully. (4.5 / 5)
Step into the mind-bending world of Eldritch Automata as we sit down with Game Designer Nick Francia at GenCon 2024!
Uncover the secrets behind this Lovecraftian mecha-masterpiece and get a glimpse of what’s to come.
In this exclusive interview, Nick Francia shares:
• The intricate game development process • Inspirations behind the eerie Lovecraftian elements
• Unique mecha-infused gameplay mechanics Calling all Lovecraft fans! Dive into a world where eldritch horrors meet steam-powered marvels.
Eldritch Automata promises an unforgettable gaming experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
👉 Ready to embrace the madness? Check out our playable demo at a con near you! #EldritchAutomata #GenCon2024 #LovecraftianGaming #IndieGameDev
Prepare for a spine-chilling experience as Jim Phoenix delves into the shadows with Trick or Treat Studios at GenCon 2024!
In this exclusive interview, we uncover the terrifying secrets behind their latest bone-chilling creations: “House of 1000 Corpses” and “Halloween II” board games.
These games aren’t just about rolling dice – they’re about immersing yourself in the blood-curdling atmosphere of beloved horror films. With unique survival (and kill!) horror mechanics and cooperative gameplay, you’ll feel the terror coursing through your veins with every move!
But wait, there’s more! With the Kickstarter to House of 1000 Corpses shipping soon, we have an in-depth review coming up for that game, Halloween II–AND…Chucky. BOOMMM!!!
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