Wildfire

Release Date: May 26, 2020

Arcade, fantasy, stealth, platformers, 2D, for 2 players, indie games, co-op, side-scroll, splitscreen, multiplayer, singleplayer

7.6

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A two-dimensional mix of platformer with a stealth game from the independent Sneaky Bastards studio. In Wildfire, we move through levels and rescue captured villagers of the main character, watching out for patrolling enemies and using elemental magic.

Videos and Screens

[1:36] Wildfire trailer #1

7.6

OpenCritic Rating

Game is Recomended by 67% of Critics. There are 26 Critic Reviews.

OpenCritic

AusGamers: 9 / 10 by Steve Farrelly

Still, the aforementioned optimism saw Sneaky Bastards pushing forward, culminating in a successful Kickstarter campaign, eventually landing a publisher in Humble Games and finally getting Wildfire into the hands of the witchtastic punter.

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Nintendo Life: 8 / 10 by Stuart Gipp

Taken at its intended pace, Wildfire is a thoroughly enjoyable and interesting game with a multitude of interlocking systems that caters to players who don't mind thinking on their feet if their best-laid plans go scorchingly awry. The slow pace and frustration of failure won't appeal to all (though checkpoints are generously placed) but for gamers who don't mind a bit of a slow burn (tee hee), Wildfire is an expansive and inexpensive title that's a healthy mix of tropes and ideas familiar enough to feel cosy, and unpredictable elemental action that rewards creative thinking. And the further through the game you play, the more interesting it becomes. An impressive debut.

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TechRaptor: 5.5 / 10 by Joseph Allen

Wildfire has a huge amount of potential, but it's let down by frustrating trial-and-error gameplay, clunky controls and poor level design.

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Wildfire Description

Wildfire is a two-dimensional platformer in the convention of stealth game from the independent team Sneaky Bastards led by Dan Hindes. The game started in 2015 and was placed on the Kickstarter, but after the successful collection, the premiere was moved many times. It was not until the end of 2019 that the artists managed to find a publisher in the form of Humble Bundle.

Plot

Wildfire takes us to a fantasy land, from which the magic disappeared long ago. At least that's what happened until someone discovers a magical power that allows them to control the elements. Unfortunately, there is no time to celebrate, because the mighty Arch Duchess accuses him of witchcraft. Chased by her army, the hero has to use his newly acquired abilities and all his cleverness to escape the hunters and save the abducted inhabitants of his village.

Mechanics

Wildfire gameplay uses a basic 2D platformer scheme, which makes it possible to overcome levels full of platforms, enemies and various obstacles. At the same time, as in Mark of the Ninja, the game focuses on a stealth gameplay. So we hide in the high grass and avoid our enemies, trying not to make any noise. The main goal on each board is to save the peasants and then move them to a specific place on the map.

The main attraction of the game is the magic of the elements: fire, ice and earth. It is so interesting that it also uses elements of the board. So if we set the fire on the wooden bridge, the fire will spread to the whole structure as well as to the surrounding vegetation. So it is better to be careful that our "bonfire" does not accidentally burn not only our enemies but also ourselves. In addition, we can make the water (or enemies) freeze or grow specific vegetation in the place we want it to grow, such as lianas for climbing or tall grass in which we can hide from patrolling enemies. Some of these abilities are not available right away, but they are acquired as the game progresses.

Game modes

Wildfire allows you to have fun alone or in cooperation with a friend.

Technical aspects

Like many indie games, Wildfire uses two-dimensional graphics in pixel-art style. The game is accompanied by a variety of visual effects, signaling the effects of spells or reactions of enemies to our actions. Characters usually speak through dialogue boxes, which also signal - as in the Metal Gear series - concern or aggression with question marks or exclamation marks.