The Candle

About

The Candle is a single player action game with a horror theme. It was developed by its_DTK and was released on February 14, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

In "The Candle," you must navigate a decaying manor while your candle burns down in real-time and cannot be relit once extinguished. Avoid four eerie monsters as you explore, loot, and uncover secrets. Additionally, visit the carnival to play minigames, earn tickets, and interact with other characters to form alliances or rivalries.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 72 reviews

gameplay3 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The game offers a unique and immersive atmosphere that captures the essence of horror, making it a memorable experience.
Fans of Jerma985 may find the humor and references enjoyable, adding a layer of charm to the gameplay.
Despite its flaws, some players appreciate the game's unconventional approach and find it entertaining in a 'so bad it's good' way.

The gameplay is often criticized for being frustratingly dark and difficult to navigate, making it torturous for some players.
Many players feel that the game lacks polish and necessary updates, with some stating that the developer has no intention of improving it.
The mechanics, such as the hunger and thirst meters, are seen as annoying and detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.

graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics of the game have received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with users expressing strong dissatisfaction and frustration.
- “The graphics in this game are incredibly disappointing; they look outdated and lack detail.”
- “I can't believe how poor the visuals are; it feels like a game from a decade ago.”
- “The art style is unappealing and doesn't match the theme of the game at all.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with users expressing strong dissatisfaction and frustration, labeling it as one of the game's many shortcomings.
- “I hate its soundtrack.”
- “The music is repetitive and uninspired.”
- “The audio quality is poor and doesn't match the game's atmosphere.”
gameplay
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
Gameplay in this game has received mixed feedback; while some players express frustration with its mechanics and graphics, others find that once they adapt to the challenging hunger and thirst systems, the experience becomes more enjoyable and engaging. The potential for speedrunning adds an interesting layer for those who appreciate mastering the game's intricacies.
- “3 hours into the game, I finished the battle pass and got the item that disables the invisible hunger and thirst mechanics.”
- “Once you get into the rhythm and find ways to lessen the difficulty of the hunger and thirst mechanics, the game does get interesting and you start to have more fun.”
- “I believe that, just as Jerma divined it, 'the speedrunners would eat [the candle®] up so much.'”
- “I hate the gameplay; it feels unpolished and frustrating.”
- “Three hours into the game, I finished the battle pass and got the item that disables the invisible hunger and thirst mechanics.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report that the game evokes strong emotional responses, with some even expressing that it brought them to tears, highlighting its impactful storytelling and character development.
- “I cried real tears.”
- “The story touched my heart in ways I never expected.”
- “I felt a deep connection to the characters and their struggles.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as highly entertaining, eliciting strong laughter from players, despite some playful frustration directed at the developers. Overall, the comedic elements seem to resonate well, especially considering the low price point.
- “Laughing my ass off, this game is hilarious!”
- “I can't stop laughing, the humor is top-notch!”
- “This game had me in stitches, the jokes are fantastic!”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The stability of the game is notably poor, particularly in the initial carnival area, where players frequently encounter bugs that can disrupt gameplay after just a few attempts.
- “The beginning carnival area is buggy; you can probably play one or two games before it breaks and you can't play any games anymore.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to progress.”
- “I experienced constant lag and glitches that ruined the overall experience.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive qualities, effectively blending horror elements with the tension of maintaining a sacred candle. Players appreciate the intense audio design, particularly the jarring volume resets that enhance the feeling of overstimulation reminiscent of a real fairground.
- “For those who don't know, this game is a roguelite extraction horror game with heavy atmospheric elements involving keeping a sacred candle alight.”
- “Personally, I adore how the game handles atmosphere, making the experience extremely immersive, especially with how restarting the game sets the volume to maximum in the loudest area of the game. It really captures the over-stimulation of being close to a real fairground.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story of "The Candle" is praised for its masterful storytelling and themes of resilience, encouraging players to endure challenges and emerge as stronger, more thoughtful individuals. It offers a rich narrative experience filled with discovery and personal growth.
- “The Candle is a truly masterful work of storytelling, filled with discovery. It taught me how to endure through the odds stacked against me, and as a result, I became a stronger, more careful, and thoughtful individual.”