Little Inferno

78%
Game Brain Score Based on 5,001 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Little Inferno Game Cover
A hallmark of excellence. There may be flaws, but they are negligible and won't cause massive damage.
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In Little Inferno, you interact with a catalog of unusual and sometimes sinister objects to burn and combine them in amusing ways. With dark humor and a captivating narrative, the game encourages creativity and experimentation while raising philosophical questions about consumerism. As you progress, you'll unlock new items, secrets, and uncover a mysterious story set in a chilly world.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
  • Wii
  • Wii U
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

78%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,001 reviews
story448 positive mentions
grinding23 negative mentions
  • story1,010 mentions

    The story in "Little Inferno" is a surprisingly deep and engaging narrative that unfolds through letters received while players burn various items in a fireplace. It explores themes of consumerism, childhood nostalgia, and the consequences of a society obsessed with material possessions, often blending dark humor with heartfelt moments. While the gameplay can become repetitive, the emotional weight and clever storytelling keep players invested until the poignant conclusion.

    • “The story is subtly disturbing, offering a reflection on consumerism that feels eerily close to reality.”
    • “The game's storyline is intriguing and leaves players constantly curious about what's next.”
    • “It's a story about the memories and experiences created with those in your childhood, and how we realize that we've taken those times for granted when it's finally time to leave a mental space encompassing everything we've ever known behind--with no way of returning.”
    • “The ending doesn't change, the gameplay doesn't change, the story gets a bit weaker but the setting is more festive.”
    • “Partly because it would spoil the significance of the themes the game wants you to think about, but also because there's just not much story to tell.”
    • “The story is somewhat counterproductive to what the game is, which some users may find dumb, but I personally didn't mind.”
  • gameplay392 mentions

    The gameplay of *Little Inferno* is characterized by its simplicity, revolving around burning various items to discover combinations and unlock new content. While many players find the mechanics engaging and the fire physics satisfying, the repetitive nature and waiting times for item delivery can lead to a sense of monotony. Overall, the game is praised for its unique concept and charming presentation, but it may not appeal to those seeking deeper gameplay experiences or extensive replay value.

    • “Little Inferno is a unique and captivating puzzle game that offers a fresh and engaging gameplay experience.”
    • “The best part of the gameplay is trying to figure out what items you need to burn together to form a combo.”
    • “The gameplay consists of simply burning objects in a fireplace, but the wide variety of items available to burn and the various combinations that can be created add a lot of depth and replay value to the game.”
    • “I completed Ho Ho Holiday in 3h5m, or a whopping 10 minutes more gameplay than in the base game. I do not feel that the additional money I spent was worth the little extra content I was provided.”
    • “The gameplay is mostly trying to guess very easy combos.”
    • “The gameplay is simple and repetitive, something that would make some people stay away from it, probably.”
  • graphics284 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and charming art style, often compared to the works of Tim Burton, which adds a whimsical yet eerie atmosphere to the gameplay. Many reviewers highlight the beautiful visuals and engaging animations, particularly the realistic fire effects, which enhance the overall experience. Despite being an older title, the graphics still hold up well against newer games, making it visually appealing and enjoyable to play.

    • “The graphics are beautifully designed, and the atmospheric sound complements the overall experience.”
    • “This game is 11 years old and still has better graphics than some other games.”
    • “The graphics are really nice compared to other clickers like it, and the amount of sound design and subtle details in the background makes for a nice change of pace from the typical one-dimensional set design of similar games.”
    • “There are no controls to remap, no graphics to tweak, no settings to mess with.”
    • “While not the most aesthetically pleasing, that seems to be intentional.”
    • “The graphics were good but it all went bad when you hit the end of the game.”
  • music279 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its beautiful and atmospheric qualities that enhance the overall experience, while others criticize the lack of volume control and the music being too loud. Some players find the soundtrack catchy and memorable, contributing significantly to the game's emotional depth, while others describe it as repetitive or generic. Overall, the soundtrack is often highlighted as a standout feature, despite some frustrations regarding its volume settings.

    • “The animations, storyline, soundtrack, everything is just outstanding.”
    • “A very nostalgic game with one of the catchiest theme songs in gaming history.”
    • “The music is perfect for the feel and pacing of the game, and some of the items you can burn are very humorous.”
    • “The music cannot be turned off or down; you either mute the game (from your volume mixer on your computer, not within the game itself) or put up with the music.”
    • “And the worst for me is no volume control; the inferno itself is rather quiet as you'd expect from a fireplace, but when you go to the store to buy supplies, the store music is too loud and repetitive. This annoys everyone in my house, myself included!”
    • “The music is incredibly repetitive and might even make you roll your eyes at times.”
  • humor239 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its dark, quirky, and satirical elements, often blending absurdity with thought-provoking themes. Players appreciate the clever item descriptions, funny interactions, and the unique comedic scenarios that arise from burning various objects, which contribute to a charming yet unsettling atmosphere. While some find the humor repetitive over time, many agree that it remains a key aspect of the game's appeal, making it a memorable and entertaining experience.

    • “To conclude, the base game is still one of the most original, entertaining, hilarious, and well-produced experiences I've ever had the pleasure of playing, and replaying.”
    • “The humor of this game can be on the nose at times and I may personally consider it ahead of its time, although I may be wrong in that regard.”
    • “The humor is weird and messed up in the best way possible.”
  • emotional136 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players expressing surprise at how deeply it resonated with them, often leading to tears. The combination of a heartfelt narrative, charming characters, and a unique art style creates a touching experience that balances humor with darker themes, making it a memorable and heartwarming journey. Overall, players find it to be a surprisingly profound and emotional game that leaves a lasting impact.

    • “This game made me cry several times.”
    • “Little Inferno is one of the most innovative and touching indie games that I have ever played, and I couldn't recommend it more.”
    • “The combination of music, art style, and gorgeous storytelling through letters and the big ending sequence made the game extremely emotional for me personally, in a way that is difficult to describe.”
    • “I cried a bit.”
  • atmosphere81 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its captivating blend of charm and darkness, featuring beautifully designed graphics and an engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the unique art style and sound design, which create a nostalgic, immersive environment that balances humor with unsettling undertones. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as both relaxing and eerie, making it a standout aspect that keeps players invested.

    • “The graphics are beautifully designed, and the atmospheric sound complements the overall experience.”
    • “Everything from the art style, to the soundtrack, to the unnerving atmosphere, and the rollercoaster ride of emotions as the game unfolds is simply perfect.”
    • “Then there's a dark undertone that carries throughout the game that something sinister is taking place underneath the cute and calming atmosphere of everything.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is a strange combination of warm contentment mixed with horror and bleak abysmal fatalism that works perfectly together to create a very unique experience.”
    • “But I expect most gamers' reactions to this would be 'so what?' atmosphere does not make the game.”
  • replayability76 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag. While some players find it enjoyable to revisit for its fun mechanics and various combinations to explore, many agree that it lacks substantial replay value once the main story and achievements are completed. The short playtime and limited variety contribute to a consensus that, despite its charm, the game may not hold long-term appeal for repeated playthroughs.

    • “The story is really fun and gripping, the game is very easy to 100% complete, and it has great replayability.”
    • “Even though the game can be wrapped up pretty quickly, the replay value here is great, and this game is the equivalent of comfort food to me.”
    • “This game has great replay value for those of you who sometimes just need to sit and burn things for a while.”
    • “Only bad thing is that it lacks replayability, so to play it again and enjoy, you need to have waited a few months, or even a year.”
    • “Good fun while it lasted, sadly little to no replay value and not much to do after you beat the game; still worth buying if you like burning things.”
    • “The game is quite short and doesn't really have that much replay value, and there really isn't that much to do once you get all the combos, which can still be done within hours.”
  • grinding25 mentions

    The reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game can be tedious and repetitive, particularly when aiming for 100% completion or gold-starring catalogs. While some players find enjoyment in the unique mechanics and visuals, many express frustration with the slow progress and trial-and-error gameplay, leading to a sense of monotony over time. Overall, the game offers a mix of fun and grind, but the latter can detract from the overall experience.

    • “Even with all the different items and effects, the game starts to get tedious after a while, especially while trying to 100% it.”
    • “If I hadn't spent $9 on this, I would have quit ten minutes in when it started to feel grindy, and I only continued playing in the hopes that the conclusion would be more than just a waste of time.”
    • “You will spend the main time of the game grinding through the minigame of burning stuff to get coins to burn more stuff.”
  • monetization7 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn mixed reviews, with some players feeling it is designed to manipulate them into watching ads and purchasing DLC to complete achievements, while others appreciate that it is not heavily laden with microtransactions typical of free-to-play games. Overall, the game seems to balance between offering a free-to-play experience and subtly pushing for additional purchases, leading to frustration among some users.

    • “At least it isn't riddled with microtransactions like free-to-play games.”
    • “I paid for this, but it seems designed as a free-to-play game, to waste your time and keep you coming back and sitting through ads in hopes of a payoff that will never arrive.”
    • “Edit 2023: My opinion of the original game remains largely the same, but I am extremely disappointed to find achievements have been added only as a means of advertising a new DLC, without which the main game cannot be completed.”
    • “A lot of people pan it for the wrong reasons; many hate the wait times and fake microtransactions the game uses to poke at subpar app and Facebook games.”
  • stability6 mentions

    The stability of the game is inconsistent, with some users experiencing frequent freezes and bugs that hinder gameplay, particularly when accessing certain features. However, others report a smooth experience with no glitches or issues, highlighting that the game's mechanics function well. Overall, while some players enjoy a stable experience, others face significant stability problems that detract from their enjoyment.

    • “This is an amazing game! Usually, I don't play single-player games because they make me feel lonely, but this game makes me feel alive. I beat it once and I'm going to do it again. I found no glitches whatsoever in this game.”
    • “However, recently the game has become unplayable with constant freezes happening each time I open letters, the catalog, purchase items, and open the stamp book.”
    • “It's possible that the game is just buggy - there are hints throughout the game that saving items or finding combos will influence what happens, but after my second very frustrating run in which I hobbled myself holding on to every unique item I was sent and then ground through all ninety-nine combos and still got the same ending, it does not appear that there is anything reasonable that I can do to make the game make sense.”
    • “This game functions very well and its item mechanics are quite good, no bugs, glitches, or anything.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    The game is praised for its smooth performance, even on low-spec or slightly outdated hardware, indicating effective optimization. However, there are humorous references to a lack of depth in gameplay, suggesting that while the technical performance is solid, the overall experience may not fully meet expectations.

    • “Runs smoothly even on low-spec/slightly outdated hardware.”
    • “Overall impressions & performance are excellent.”
    • “All it needed was Johnny Depp telling the player that nine more combos are needed to progress, sirrah (does a funny dance) to perfectly emulate Tim Burton's descent into chiaroscuro-tinted underperformance.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Players appreciate the character development in the game, noting that it adds depth to the story and enhances the overall experience as they progress.

    • “Once I played it for a bit, though, and saw the character development, I realized that there was more to this story.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

72% average critic score

Buy Little Inferno

Play time

5hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
3hMain story
4hCompletionist
3-7hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 28 analyzed playthroughs

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