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Hot Lava

Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
Hot Lava Game Cover
90%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
grinding, stability
93% User Score Based on 4,722 reviews
Critic Score 70%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

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Hot Lava Game Cover

About

Hot Lava is a single player and multiplayer racing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Klei Entertainment and was released on September 19, 2019. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"Hot Lava" is a first-person platformer game that brings back memories of childhood imagination, where the floor is made of hot molten lava. Players must run, jump, climb, and surf through detailed environments filled with obstacles, while avoiding hazards and competing for the fastest route on the friends leaderboard. The game features drop-in-drop out multiplayer for up to eight players and allows for creative level design. The goal is to master execution and never touch the floor.

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Hot Lava screenshot
Hot Lava screenshot
Hot Lava screenshot
Hot Lava screenshot
Hot Lava screenshot
Hot Lava screenshot
Hot Lava screenshot
Hot Lava screenshot
Hot Lava screenshot
Hot Lava screenshot
Hot Lava screenshot
+22
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93%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,722 reviews
gameplay164 positive mentions
grinding14 negative mentions
  • gameplay
    364 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Hot Lava" is characterized by its engaging parkour mechanics and smooth controls, offering a nostalgic experience reminiscent of childhood games. While many players appreciate the variety of movement options and the challenge of mastering them, some criticize the repetitive nature of the gameplay and the lack of depth in level design. Overall, the game is seen as fun and accessible, particularly for fans of speedrunning and parkour, though it may frustrate those unfamiliar with its mechanics.

    • “This game is super satisfying, the mechanics are so well worked on, and it brings out my inner childhood :)”
    • “The fast-paced parkour gameplay combined with stunning visuals makes for an exhilarating adventure.”
    • “Overall, hot lava is an excellent platformer game that offers challenging gameplay, beautiful graphics, and a fun multiplayer mode.”
    • “But since Hot Lava has no story and the excitement of the gameplay is only limited to completing the challenges, it becomes repetitive and boring; unless you're interested in beating the record for finishing levels as fast as possible.”
    • “Although it's fun at the start, it gets more boring as the game goes on, until you realize all of the abilities destroy all fun of the game. The game doesn't have alternative paths or shortcuts, which I think it would benefit a lot from. Instead, you have a parkour game more based on bunny hops than anything. The maps feel lifeless, with no NPCs or characters other than you and your sister. The game is awfully repetitive, and the few mechanics it does add mid-game are very boring or don't work the intended way.”
    • “A pretty low effort game with boring mechanics that make the parkour feel unsatisfying.”
  • graphics
    190 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Hot Lava" are generally praised for their vibrant and charming aesthetic, effectively capturing a nostalgic feel reminiscent of childhood imagination. While the visuals are often described as stunning and well-optimized, some players noted inconsistencies in art style and occasional graphical bugs. Overall, the game features a unique and expressive art style that enhances the fast-paced parkour gameplay, though some aspects may feel less polished in certain levels.

    • “The fast-paced parkour gameplay combined with stunning visuals makes for an exhilarating adventure.”
    • “Amazing graphics, brings back childhood memories.”
    • “The game has a vibrant and colorful art style that makes each level feel like a playground.”
    • “The game also just seems to abandon its art style halfway through the official levels.”
    • “The first half has a semi-realistic aesthetic with the latter half looking like something an indie threw together in Unity as their first game project.”
    • “The visuals are way too all-over-the-place.”
  • story
    104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is minimal and often feels repetitive, with many players noting that while it doesn't detract from the fun, a more developed narrative could enhance the experience. Some hidden lore and collectibles provide a semblance of story, but the primary focus remains on gameplay and level completion, leaving many feeling that the narrative elements are underwhelming or lacking substance. Overall, while the game is enjoyable for its parkour mechanics, it may not satisfy those seeking a rich, story-driven experience.

    • “The subtle story of familial turmoil and the effect it has struck a fine balance between being shown and heard.”
    • “The story alone is great but with the addition of trials, stars, and community maps, the game has plenty of content and hours of fun.”
    • “As someone who loves discovering the lore of games (two of my favorite games being Hollow Knight and Destiny 2), the hidden story revealed through collectibles and set storytelling is super interesting.”
    • “But since Hot Lava has no story and the excitement of the gameplay is only limited to completing the challenges, it becomes repetitive and boring; unless you are interested in beating the record for finishing levels as fast as possible.”
    • “The final level especially seems to have cool ideas, but falls completely flat with the last stage of the game, something almost hinted at to be quite meaningful to the background story this game has, being a complete boring letdown with basic structure.”
    • “I loved the game quality but it lacks a story to back up what is happening and why.”
  • music
    98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally described as engaging and fitting, enhancing the overall experience, though opinions vary on its quality. Many players enjoy using their own soundtracks while playing, as the in-game music is often seen as background noise rather than a highlight. Overall, the game is considered a great choice for relaxing and enjoying music or podcasts while engaging in its parkour mechanics.

    • “With charming visuals and an engaging soundtrack, Hot Lava captures the essence of youthful imagination.”
    • “The best chill game to play while talking with friends or listening to music!”
    • “The music itself is honestly very pleasing and ranges from different types of genres...”
    • “Also, the game aesthetics are questionable, characters that are literally toys and levels that are totally empty, with a decent soundtrack, although it could have had potential; not a lot of people play this game anymore.”
    • “If I had to pick something I wasn't completely sold on, it's that some of the alternate movement-style trials aren't as fun or fleshed out as the main levels, and the music isn't as great as Klei's other games.”
    • “I turned off the music because I found it a little annoying, but otherwise it's alright.”
  • replayability
    58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, with players highlighting its engaging parkour mechanics, numerous challenges, and a wealth of collectibles that encourage repeated play. Many reviews mention the satisfaction of mastering movement, competing for high scores, and exploring custom maps, all contributing to a vibrant community and ongoing enjoyment. Overall, it is praised for its design and content, making it a favorite among speedrunners and casual players alike.

    • “The movement is one of the best things about the game and all the levels are built around it, blending together perfectly to the point of never feeling repetitive. The replayability is great, and every level you enter has challenges, leaderboards, cards, and stars to collect.”
    • “Great game for speedrunners and bhoppers, with tons of replayability and an active speedrunning community.”
    • “So far I have completed almost all of the official maps and there are tons of community maps you can play on. The replayability of older maps to score all the stars will always challenge you.”
    • “I beat all the base levels already, but there is a ton of replay value in it whether you are beating old scores, doing trials, or playing custom maps. This game is so much fun.”
    • “The better you get at movement, the more options open up to you, which adds to the replayability of each level.”
  • humor
    46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is widely praised for its humor, featuring funny cosmetics, charming characters, and a whimsical art style that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the clever nods to modern humor and the amusing scenarios, making it a fun choice for both solo play and with friends. The combination of creative level design and humorous gameplay elements contributes to a lighthearted and entertaining atmosphere.

    • “It's got tons of charm, lots of attention to detail, the concept is hilarious and cute and just downright fun.”
    • “The whole concept of the game is very funny, I really feel like being a toy when playing it, and the scenarios, characters, and accessories are all very creative.”
    • “Great style, fun/loose gameplay, and a wealth of humor.”
  • grinding
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be a mixed experience; while some players appreciate the continuous unlocking of characters and customization options without excessive grind, others find certain mechanics tedious and the level design cramped, leading to a frustrating grind. The game appeals to those who enjoy repetitive gameplay, but it may feel tedious and lacking challenge for others. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as both a potential draw and a source of annoyance, depending on player preferences.

    • “Great game, there's multiple characters to unlock and deep customization for all of them, but the unlocking systems are not grindy; they're built around a lot of the mechanics of the game, so no matter what you're doing, you'll always be earning new characters, stages, and items to customize your chosen character.”
    • “Platforms are very awkwardly placed, and all the areas are so cramped that working up some speed can get tedious.”
    • “This is tedious at best and completely pointless at worst.”
    • “Hot lava feels empty and void of any challenge other than the surf mechanic, where it gets really tedious really fast as many of the maps do not allow for great speed with many cramped areas.”
  • optimization
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players appreciate the smooth performance and impressive graphics, especially on lower-end hardware, there are notable issues with frame lag and stuttering that detract from the experience, particularly in speedrun scenarios. Some users feel that specific areas require further optimization to enhance gameplay consistency.

    • “The player and game customization is really great, combined with clean graphics which just makes the game feel really optimized and smooth, which is really vital to a parkour game.”
    • “The attention to detail in the environments and character models is impressive, and the game runs smoothly even on lower-end hardware.”
    • “The game's graphics are quite good for what it is, and the game is also quite well optimized as well.”
    • “Why is this game so poorly optimized?”
    • “This game is a speed run game, but there are some problems with optimization. When you are playing, you will find that sometimes the frames will lag behind, but it feels as if the computer just forcefully moved your frames forward. What does this mean?”
    • “Performance and optimization are not the best.”
  • stability
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while most aspects are smooth and enjoyable, there are significant bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay. Issues such as frustrating boost glitches, problematic surfing mechanics, and occasional crashes detract from the overall experience, though some players find that certain glitches add a layer of fun. Overall, optimization is needed to enhance stability, particularly in multiplayer and specific mechanics.

    • “Game optimization on that specific part would go a long way because every other part of the game is usually bug-free and smooth.”
    • “Cool game for killing time, but it's a bit buggy.”
    • “The surfing mechanic just feels bad and buggy.”
    • “There have been times where I get locked in place, unable to move without resetting my run, cosmetic glitches (wearing headwear and all of a sudden it's glitching into your field of view), and other times where I just plain out stutter so hard the game eventually crashes.”
  • emotional
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game evokes strong feelings of nostalgia and joy, as it successfully captures the essence of childhood play through its "floor is lava" mechanics. Players appreciate its wholesome nature, fun challenges, and community engagement, often expressing that it brings smiles and a sense of mastery as they navigate its levels. Overall, it is seen as a delightful and entertaining experience that resonates emotionally with players.

    • “Appeals to all your childhood nostalgias in the best way possible. This game feels wholesome and fun to play and never fails to put a smile on my face. It gets a lot of updates, plenty of challenges to do, and cosmetics to unlock. You can't buy them; you get stuff for actually playing the game like the good old days.”
    • “The game's title and general mechanic stems from a childhood imaginary game 'the floor is lava' where people pretended the ground was lava or any other number of dangerous things, and they used furniture or playground setups to avoid touching the ground.”
    • “The advanced maps at the end are pretty hard but made me feel like I really mastered the game.”
  • atmosphere
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by a blend of childish fun and a subtly creepy undertone, enhanced by a well-crafted soundtrack that varies by location. Players appreciate the simplicity of the design, with specific levels, like the basement, significantly altering the overall mood. Overall, the atmosphere contributes positively to the game's enjoyment and challenge.

    • “Smooth controls, challenges that actually require practice, a childish, fun atmosphere, and a creepy underlying plot.”
    • “Plus the well-made soundtrack that differs from location to location, adds a bit to an already great atmosphere.”
    • “Overall this game is pretty fun, the atmosphere is nice and the main point of the game is fun.”
  • character development
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highlighted by near-complete character design and a variety of outfit choices, complemented by an engaging earning system. Players appreciate the fun and visually appealing character designs, which enhance the overall enjoyment and accessibility of the gameplay.

    • “Fun, awesome character designs, quick-paced and easy to hop into levels make this game an absolute treat to play!”
  • monetization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game features a commendable monetization model with no microtransactions, offering a wealth of unlockable content and challenges that enhance the gameplay experience. Players can earn collectibles and cosmetics through task completion, although there is a hint of uncertainty regarding future monetization changes.

    • “There are collectibles and cosmetics that you get by completing tasks, no microtransactions... for now anyway.”
    • “There are no microtransactions and there are tons of stuff to unlock and challenges to complete that puts other games to shame.”
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70%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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40h Median play time
34h Average play time
10-60h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 16 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Hot Lava is a racing game with fantasy theme.

Hot Lava is available on PC, Mac OS, Phone, iPad and others.

On average players spend around 34 hours playing Hot Lava.

Hot Lava was released on September 19, 2019.

Hot Lava was developed by Klei Entertainment.

Hot Lava has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Hot Lava is a single player game with multiplayer support.

Similar games include Cyber Hook, Clustertruck, Project Earth, Marble It Up! Ultra, Hover and others.