To The Flame

About

"To The Flame" is a challenging game where you play as a moth on a perilous journey to meet God, with a single giant vertical level and the threat of a roaming, deadly spider that you must hide from. Success requires careful jumps, strategic hiding, and mastery of simple but deep controls. The game saves every inch of progress and features condescending commentary from God, with 2-7 hours of playtime expected.

Genres & Tags

Indie

Play Modes

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

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 46 reviews

gameplay8 positive mentions

replayability1 negative mentions

Charming art style and immersive atmosphere, enhanced by beautiful music and engaging writing.
Satisfying movement mechanics with a rewarding sense of mastery, making the challenging platforming enjoyable.
Short but sweet gameplay experience that is accessible for newcomers to the genre while still providing a challenge.

The game is quite short, with some players feeling that the trailer reveals too much of the content.
The spider mechanic can be frustrating and may detract from the experience for some players.
While the game is easier than some other platformers, it may still be punishing for those not accustomed to the genre.

gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
25%
8%
The gameplay is praised for its depth and fluidity, particularly the double jump mechanic, which evolves from challenging to satisfying as players become more comfortable. The game balances frustration with rewarding progression, making falls feel less discouraging. Additionally, the immersive art and music enhance the overall experience, contributing to a highly recommended gameplay experience.
- “The double jump mechanic has good depth to it, which makes me wish the game was longer.”
- “I know that part of the game is meant to be frustrating, but to be honest, I never found it frustrating even when I fell; every time, I felt like I was still getting farther and getting more comfortable with the mechanics, so there was nothing discouraging about the fall.”
- “The double-hopping movement mechanics are unusual and hard to master, but over time, they become really fluid and satisfying.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, creating a haunting and immersive experience that complements the art and narrative. Reviewers note that the chilling soundscapes and engaging melodies contribute significantly to the game's emotional depth and overall enjoyment, making it a key element of the gameplay experience.
- “The atmosphere is beautifully crafted, from the chilling music to the weirdly menacing little moth-centric fables you find throughout the map.”
- “Immersive art and music come together to support some really rewarding mechanics in the game.”
- “The art, the music, the writing, all work extremely well together to accompany a really beautifully frustrating experience.”
- “The art is beautiful, the movement is delightful, and the atmosphere created by the music, sound, and narration is haunting.”
- “I love the music in the tower, and the visuals/atmosphere throughout are very well done.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The graphics are praised for their excellent aesthetics and charming, cute art style that enhances the overall atmosphere of the game. Players appreciate the beautifully painted effects on foliage and the immersive visuals that complement the engaging writing and platforming elements. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a visually enjoyable experience.
- “I love the music in the tower, and the visuals/atmosphere throughout are very well done.”
- “The leaves on the trees and shrubs have this beautiful effect where they look painted, and in my first playthrough I really enjoyed spending time soaking in the artwork.”
- “Pleasantly short, cute art style, doesn't insist on itself.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its beautiful craftsmanship, combining chilling music, haunting sound design, and captivating visuals. Players appreciate the eerie yet enchanting elements, such as moth-centric fables and delightful animations, which collectively create an immersive and memorable experience.
- “The atmosphere is beautifully crafted, from the chilling music to the weirdly menacing little moth-centric fables you find throughout the map.”
- “The art is beautiful, the movement is delightful, and the atmosphere created by the music, sound, and narration is haunting.”
- “I love the music in the tower, and the visuals/atmosphere throughout are very well done.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as a blend of ominous elements and lightheartedness, which many players find enjoyable and engaging.
- “It's ominous, but it also has a sense of humor, and I enjoy that immensely.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game is praised for its replayability, particularly as an introductory title to foddian-style and masocore genres, with speedrunning offering an additional layer of challenge and engagement for players.
- “I think it's an excellent intro game to Foddian-style/masocore games and has replay value via speedrunning.”