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Little Inferno

A hallmark of excellence. There may be flaws, but they are negligible and won't cause massive damage.
Little Inferno Game Cover
87%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, monetization
94% User Score Based on 8,573 reviews
Critic Score 73%Based on 5 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchAndroidSteam DeckiPhoneWindowsLinuxPCWii UTabletMac OSPhoneWiiiPadMobile Platform
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Little Inferno Game Cover

About

Little Inferno is a single player casual simulation game with a comedy theme. It was developed by Tomorrow Corporation and was released on November 19, 2012. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

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.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Little Inferno screenshot
Little Inferno screenshot
Little Inferno screenshot
Little Inferno screenshot
Little Inferno screenshot
Little Inferno screenshot
Little Inferno screenshot
Little Inferno screenshot
Little Inferno screenshot
Little Inferno screenshot
Little Inferno screenshot
+4
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94%
Audience ScoreBased on 8,573 reviews
story754 positive mentions
grinding53 negative mentions
  • A unique and fun experience that allows players to burn various items in a fireplace, providing a satisfying gameplay loop.
  • The game features charming graphics, a whimsical soundtrack, and a surprisingly deep story that critiques consumerism and isolation.
  • Great for casual play, with a light-hearted yet dark sense of humor that keeps players engaged.
  • The game can become repetitive and tedious, especially with waiting times for items to arrive and some obscure combo requirements.
  • Achievements are locked behind paid DLC, which can be frustrating for completionists.
  • Some players may find the gameplay too simplistic, lacking in depth and challenge.
  • story
    1,768 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Little Inferno" is a surprisingly deep and engaging narrative that unfolds through letters received from quirky characters, revealing a darkly humorous and thought-provoking commentary on consumerism and the human experience. While the gameplay primarily revolves around burning items, the emotional depth and unexpected twists in the storyline keep players invested, culminating in a poignant conclusion that resonates long after the game is completed. Overall, the combination of charming visuals, a captivating soundtrack, and a meaningful story makes it a memorable experience, despite its simplistic mechanics.

    • “This is an incredible storytelling masterpiece.”
    • “And surrounding all of this is Tomorrow Corporation's unique aesthetic style, which comes across in both the absurd visuals and a story that's equal parts entertaining and existentially grim.”
    • “The story is deceptively dark and haunting, but nothing too intense.”
    • “The story felt weak and unnecessary, with the plot feeling hollow and meaningless.”
    • “The story is mostly told through letters that the player receives.”
  • gameplay
    743 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Little Inferno" revolves around a simple loop of purchasing items, burning them in a fireplace, and using the resulting coins to buy more items. While the mechanics are straightforward and can become repetitive, many players find the experience oddly satisfying and engaging, particularly due to the unique combinations of items and the charming narrative that unfolds. However, the game is criticized for its slow pacing, waiting mechanics, and lack of depth, leading some to feel that it may not justify its price for the amount of gameplay offered.

    • “The gameplay loop is simple: you light things on fire, which generates coins, which you use to buy more things to light on fire.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and relaxed, the story is great, the music is even better.”
    • “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.”
    • “With all its timers, waiting mechanics, and its main gameplay being something between a physics simulator to oggle at and a guessing game, I don't think I'd recommend this, especially for its current price.”
    • “The gameplay loop really is the whole experience; if you like it, you will get your money's worth; if you don't, then the whole experience feels like a grind session.”
    • “It's fun to burn things, but once your enjoyment for that ends, you're stuck with a rather shallow game with an annoying waiting mechanic that adds no value to the experience.”
  • graphics
    480 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Little Inferno" are widely praised for their unique and charming art style, often compared to the works of Tim Burton and reminiscent of the developer's previous title, "World of Goo." Players appreciate the game's whimsical yet dark aesthetic, which effectively complements its narrative themes, while the fire effects and animations are noted for their impressive realism. However, some users have reported technical issues, such as crashes and graphical glitches, which detract from the overall experience.

    • “Visually, 'Little Inferno' is beautifully designed, with charming graphics that evoke warmth and nostalgia despite the game's somewhat bleak setting.”
    • “The graphics are cute and fit the game well, with a whimsical art style that brings the world of Little Inferno to life.”
    • “The graphics and animations are cute and beautiful, creating a delightful atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
    • “I love the game, but it's really annoying to play due to crashes and graphical issues. I had to keep restarting my game file for the items to show, then it crashes and I lose my money and combos.”
    • “It intentionally has a flashy aesthetic which is very cheesy, but after a while, it gets genuinely nauseating.”
    • “There are no controls to remap, no graphics to tweak, no settings to mess with.”
  • music
    456 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Little Inferno" is widely praised for its atmospheric and emotional depth, enhancing the game's cozy yet unsettling vibe. Many players highlight the soundtrack's haunting beauty and catchy themes, often describing it as one of the best they've encountered in gaming. However, some users express frustration over the lack of volume control options, which can detract from the experience when trying to enjoy personal music alongside the game.

    • “The soundtrack of this game is otherworldly.”
    • “With its dreamy visuals, oddly soothing soundtrack and sneaky storytelling, it pulls you into something deeper.”
    • “The music is so very emotional... I think the music is a good 70% of the game.”
    • “I wanted to play this game while chilling with loud music, but I guess that's not happening. These guys didn't think about making a settings menu, so the game is very loud and ruining my music, and that takes it for me: bad game.”
    • “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.”
    • “The music in this game can be really loud!”
  • humor
    441 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Little Inferno" is characterized by its quirky, dark, and satirical elements, often blending absurdity with emotional undertones. Players appreciate the clever item descriptions, funny animations, and the comedic yet thought-provoking narrative that critiques consumerism and the absurdity of modern life. While the humor resonates well with many, some find it hit or miss, particularly due to its darker themes and repetitive gameplay. Overall, the game is celebrated for its unique charm and ability to evoke laughter through its bizarre premise of burning various objects.

    • “It's funny, a little weird, and a little emotional.”
    • “I love the witty humor of the game with a slightly sinister storyline.”
    • “The humor and art style really add to the enjoyment of the game as well.”
    • “It's not funny at all.”
    • “The jokes fall flat and feel forced.”
    • “I expected more clever humor, but it was mostly cringeworthy.”
  • emotional
    231 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with players describing it as a surprisingly touching and heartwarming experience that evokes a range of feelings, from joy to sadness. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to blend humor with deeper themes, resulting in an emotional rollercoaster that culminates in a heartfelt ending. Overall, it is regarded as a unique indie title that leaves a lasting emotional impact, often leading players to tears despite its seemingly simple premise of burning objects.

    • “Beyond the visuals and mechanics, the game carries a deeper meaning and wraps up with a heartfelt, thoughtful ending.”
    • “I played this game when I was very young and it had just come out, and on replaying it as an adult, I don't think five chords have ever made me cry so hard.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere
    151 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of cozy and unsettling elements, enhanced by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack and charming visuals. Players appreciate the way the game creates a relaxing yet eerie environment, effectively immersing them in its quirky narrative and engaging mechanics. Overall, the atmospheric design is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and emotional depth.

    • “The crackling of the fire, the cheerful jingles of the catalogs, and the hauntingly beautiful soundtrack all work together to create an atmosphere that’s both cozy and unsettling.”
    • “The game does an excellent job of creating a cozy, almost hypnotic atmosphere, with its soothing soundtrack and the warm, comforting glow of the fire.”
    • “The atmosphere, story, music, and art were a perfect combination that had me completely enveloped into the game.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game relies too heavily on its one-note atmosphere and handles its theme in a heavy-handed manner that ultimately insults its player--both literally and intellectually.”
    • “But the atmosphere of Little Inferno is not enough when the gameplay is merely a sandbox.”
    • “It's fairly easy to get absorbed in the atmosphere, but it's also very easy to break said atmosphere.”
  • replayability
    151 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while it can be enjoyable to revisit for its unique mechanics and charm, it ultimately lacks substantial content for repeated playthroughs. Some users appreciate the nostalgic elements and the potential for experimentation with combos, while others find the experience short-lived and repetitive once the main objectives are completed. Overall, the consensus suggests that while there are moments of fun, the game does not offer significant replay value beyond the initial experience.

    • “Coming back to the game on Steam was very nostalgic for me, for those reasons, but I had never played the DLC, so those new elements helped to add to the replay value.”
    • “The story is really fun and gripping, the game is very easy to 100% complete, and it has great replayability.”
    • “Fun gameplay, fun story, fun characters, and a ton of replayability.”
    • “Probably a day's worth of content and not too much replayability.”
    • “Replayability is very limited as you probably don't want to go through the whole process again as there is nothing new each time you play.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding
    57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, especially when aiming for 100% completion or specific achievements. While some enjoy the initial fun of experimenting with combos, the waiting times for items and the need to replay sections can lead to frustration and a sense of monotony. Overall, the game is seen as a time sink that may appeal to completionists but can quickly become a chore for others.

    • “An excellent combination of comical and dramatic aspects, fun gameplay, no grinding, pure joy, great artwork and visuals and sounds.”
    • “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.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitious, the challenge (combos) are tedious, the grind is unenjoyable, and the storyline is childish.”
    • “Though it has a lot of charm and style, the game is ultimately tedious, pointless, and short.”
  • monetization
    27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while it features no microtransactions and has a one-time purchase price of $15, many players feel it mimics free-to-play mechanics with wait times and a design that encourages prolonged engagement. Some reviews appreciate its commentary on exploitative mobile game practices, but others criticize it as a cash grab that detracts from the overall experience. Overall, it presents itself as a parody of microtransactions, yet still leaves players feeling manipulated by its design choices.

    • “If you accidentally run out of coins, some cartoon spiders appear, which you can squish for some quick spare change; rest assured that there are no microtransactions for more in-game currency.”
    • “It's oddly a sort of commentary on the entire idea of microtransactions, which I wasn't expecting but found amusing.”
    • “At least it isn't riddled with microtransactions like free-to-play games.”
    • “It's a glorified free-to-play game, but the microtransactions are replaced with an upfront $15 price tag.”
    • “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.”
    • “Essentially a free-to-play mobile game without the microtransactions, just waiting for the packages to arrive then burning them. Did not have fun, would not recommend.”
  • stability
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game is highly inconsistent, with many users reporting significant issues such as frequent crashes, glitches, and loss of progress, particularly with the DLC. While some players have experienced smooth gameplay without any bugs, the overall sentiment suggests that stability problems detract from the experience for a considerable number of users.

    • “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.”
    • “6/10, -4 for the buggy gameplay.”
    • “Glitches and crashes killed hours of progress and pissed me off (I lost my coins and motivation).”
    • “However, recently the game has become unplayable with constant freezes happening each time I open letters, the catalogue, purchase items, and open the stamp book.”
  • character development
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is noted for its surprising depth, with players finding the story and character arcs compelling despite the initial focus on cute designs and detailed animations. The evolution of characters adds a haunting quality that enhances the overall experience, making the narrative more engaging as players progress.

    • “What little plot/character development exists is surprisingly compelling.”
    • “Once I played it for a bit though, and saw the character development, I realized that there was more to this story.”
    • “It manages to be pretty throughout; be it through sleek flammable objects, or haunting character design later on.”
  • optimization
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is well-optimized, running smoothly even on low-spec or slightly outdated hardware, which enhances its accessibility. Players appreciate its performance and engaging storytelling, making it a solid choice for those seeking a unique experience. However, some feel that additional guidance could improve gameplay progression.

    • “Runs smoothly even on low-spec/slightly outdated hardware.”
    • “Overall impressions & performance: The game runs exceptionally well, providing a seamless experience.”
    • “This game is an eminently well-made entry in its genre, showcasing impressive optimization.”
    • “When you're bored of performances and challenges, play this game.”
    • “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.”
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73%Critics’ scoreBased on 5 critic reviews
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5h Median play time
7h Average play time
3h Main story
4h Completionist
3-6h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 47 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Little Inferno is a casual simulation game with comedy theme.

Little Inferno is available on Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, iPhone, Windows and others.

The main story can be completed in around 3 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 4 hours to finish. On average players spend around 7 hours playing Little Inferno.

Little Inferno was released on November 19, 2012.

Little Inferno was developed by Tomorrow Corporation.

Little Inferno has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Little Inferno is a single player game.

Similar games include World of Goo, Machinarium, The Silent Age, SPACEPLAN, Botanicula and others.