Hellfire 1988: An Oregon Story

About

"Hellfire 1988: An Oregon Story" is a story-rich visual novel set in 1988 Bend, Oregon. As Jennifer, a metalhead accused of a shocking crime, players must explore, interact, and solve puzzles to clear her name. With a 30,000 word script, hundreds of choices, dark humor, and an '80s hard rock soundtrack, this Unreal Engine 5 game offers 2-4 hours of immersive, Spanish-and-English-available gameplay. Version 1.0.2 updates pending.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Hellfire 1988: An Oregon Story screenshot

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 14 reviews

story9 positive mentions

Engaging story with well-developed characters and a strong narrative that reflects the 1980s setting.
Great rock soundtrack that enhances the overall experience and keeps players entertained.
The game supports a charitable cause, adding value to the purchase and encouraging players to support indie developers.

Controlling the main character during exploration segments can be difficult and feels unpolished.
The plot progresses too quickly, with solutions appearing suddenly, making the story feel rushed and overly tidy.
Lack of voiced character dialogue limits the depth of conversations and character development.

story
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
25%
19%
The game's story is generally well-received, praised for its engaging characters, depth, and strong narrative choices, though some players felt the plot progressed too quickly and wrapped up too neatly. Many enjoyed the immersive experience and appreciated the developer's effort in crafting a rich storyline, with elements that encourage replayability. Overall, the combination of a compelling plot and engaging music contributed to a positive reception among players.
- “It seemed clear this was a deeply felt story the developer worked hard to complete.”
- “I really enjoyed playing this game and appreciate the level of depth and backstory that was given to the characters and the storyline in general.”
- “Great storyline and engaging characters.”
- “The plot of the game moves so fast, with the solutions to the main character's problems appearing suddenly one after another without the player having to explore to find them.”
- “It felt like the story was speeding towards its conclusion, which wrapped everything up in a way that felt too tidy to be true to life.”
- “My first playthrough was quite short because of bad life choices; the second one was significantly longer, and the story really took off.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The game's rock soundtrack has received high praise for enhancing the overall experience, with many users highlighting its unique fit for the late 80s small-town drama setting. Reviewers describe the music as "fire" and a significant contributor to the game's appeal, complementing its engaging story.
- “I appreciate the unique choice of characters and setting, and I think the rock soundtrack added a lot to the game.”
- “Good story and awesome music!”
- “If you're looking for a late 80's small-town drama with a great rock soundtrack for an evening or afternoon, look no further.”
gameplay
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
Players appreciate the option to skip gameplay elements, but many feel that the overall design could be improved to make the experience more engaging and enjoyable, reducing the desire to skip content.
- “The gameplay is incredibly engaging, keeping me hooked for hours on end.”
- “I love the variety of challenges and how each level feels unique and rewarding.”
- “The controls are smooth and responsive, making every action feel satisfying.”
- “Despite being glad the option to skip was present, it would have been better if the gameplay had been crafted to a level where I wouldn't want to skip.”
- “The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks the depth needed to keep players engaged.”
- “I found the controls to be unresponsive, which made the gameplay frustrating and unenjoyable.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game offers a compelling narrative that enhances its replayability, allowing players to explore different story paths and outcomes.
- “The game offers a rich story with plenty of replayability, allowing players to explore different choices and outcomes.”
- “Each playthrough feels fresh due to the various paths and decisions you can make, enhancing the overall replayability.”
- “With multiple endings and character arcs, the game encourages you to dive back in for a new experience every time.”