Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 75 | 27 |
| Creator reviews (3 tracked) | – | 58 | 1 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 76% | 71 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 62 | 5 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 57% | 58 | 5 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 15 reviews sampled · 3 total reviews in window · weighted 4 up / 3 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (102)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“The Flame in the Flood is a gorgeous title that tries to find a good balance between realism and difficulty. The ideas and concepts are smart and make sense, but don't expect them to delve too much deeper that what is presented at the start. A few nitpicks with the menu system and cumbersome inventory management take a bit away from the experience, but the core mechanics work well. The Flame in the Flood is a good addition to the survival genre, and another satisfying inclusion to the ever growing eShop library.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The Flame in the Flood gives us familiar territory. The world has gone back. There's jangly southern-style music with heartfelt vocals. There's crafting. But there's real wonder in those moments when you're just trying to get another mile down the river so that you can live a few more days. There's something special about staying afloat in all of that ruin. The Flame in the Flood is a beacon, something golden, in a worn-down world.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Ultimately, Flame in the Flood’s greatest success is as an experience; the excellent soundtrack, the complimentary visuals and snippets of plot all make the first few hours of gameplay a harmonious, pleasant experience, were rentals still a thing, this would be a perfect candidate. But alas, it is no longer 1999, and Blockbuster busted their last block a long time ago, and as the hours rack up the numerous minor issues add up to diminish, though not in any way ruin, the experience.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Those who loved Don't Starve will find their new obsession here. The Flame in the Flood is a highly enjoyable rogue-lite survival title that makes a fantastic game to play on the go. Headphones on, volume on full and enjoy the ride with this addictive new release. Get ready to welcome yet another distinct and individual game into the fold, fattening up the Switch's already bulging catalogue.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Fighting back against nature and surviving utterly dire circumstances makes The Flame in the Flood a gripping experience... for a while. It's the unambitious campaign, the repetitious rogue-lite structure, and a number of bugs and technical issues that get in the way and keep the game from reaching its full potential. But even though The Flame in the Flood is somewhat of a disappointment, that doesn't mean there's not enough tinder to sustain the flame for at least a weekend outing. You just have to decide whether or not you want to risk dealing with the pesky bugs hiding in the foundation.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The Flame in the Flood is a superb rogue-like survival game with a deep crafting system, charmingly beautiful presentation, and challenging gameplay that entices you back time and time again to try and best your previous run. If you're a survival fan and you're in a dry spot for games at the moment, we suggest you jump right into this one. Well, assuming that you can swim of course.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The Flame in the Flood is a challenging survival game, full of risks and choices accompanied by an excellent soundtrack and beautiful artwork.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“I truthfully didn't expect The Flame in The Flood to make the impression on me that it did. It's easily the best survival game I've ever played, all the way from its satisfying gameplay to its masterful audio design. In the veritable long river of eShop games on Switch right now, this is one worth making sure you've got enough food and water to last a couple weeks.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“I had a really fun time with The Flame in the Flood. It was a difficult experience but one that felt rewarding at the same time. It is easy to get into for newer players, and a decent starting point for survival games if one hasn't played them before. All for a decent $15 price tag. Even with its issues here and there, I highly suggest giving this one a shot.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“The Flame in the Flood delivers a brilliant twist on the survival genre. The inability to linger in one place makes the game feel like a proper adventure with some additional survival trappings. The randomization gives it a roguelike feel, and the streamlining of elements makes it feel fair even when almost everything is working against you. Coupled with a beautiful presentation throughout, it's both a high-water mark in the genre and a title that's worth trying out. Unless you absolutely hate the survival game genre, be sure to check out The Flame in the Flood.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“While there are some technical difficulties that need to be worked out, The Flame in the Flood is still moderately enjoyable.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“If you can handle the wild river - and the odd bug - there's plenty to love in this heartfelt survival game.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
Paste Magazine
Invision Community
Cubed3
Pure Xbox
Push Square
NintendoWorldReport
ZTGD
Worth Playing
The Escapist
Eurogamer…and 90 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Hot Fix: translation errors, seafarer, audioMay 9, 2017
- Hot Fix: translation errors, seafarer, audioMay 9, 2017
- New update released!Apr 21, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- New update released!Apr 21, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Update - Achievement FixesJun 1, 2016
- Update - Achievement FixesJun 1, 2016
- Update - Introducing Daisy Belle!May 9, 2016
- Update - Introducing Daisy Belle!May 9, 2016
- New patch: v1.0.005Apr 1, 2016
- New patch: v1.0.005Apr 1, 2016
- New patch: V. 1.0.004Mar 23, 2016
- New patch: V. 1.0.004Mar 23, 2016
- Hot Fix v1.0.002Mar 3, 2016
- Hot Fix v1.0.002Mar 3, 2016
- Hot fix v1.0.001Feb 28, 2016
- Hot fix v1.0.001Feb 28, 2016
- Launched!Feb 24, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- Launched!Feb 24, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- New Content Update: 0.5.002Dec 23, 2015significant · resets scoring window
- New Content Update: 0.5.002Dec 23, 2015significant · resets scoring window
- Hot Fix v0.4.002 - Save game & crash fix.Nov 18, 2015
- Hot Fix v0.4.002 - Save game & crash fix.Nov 18, 2015
- New Version Posted: v 0.3.008Oct 29, 2015significant · resets scoring window
- New Version Posted: v 0.3.008Oct 29, 2015
- Hot Fix v0.3.007 - dead endOct 5, 2015
- Hot Fix v0.3.007 - dead endOct 5, 2015
- Hot Fix v0.3.007 - dead endOct 5, 2015
- Hotfix #3 v0.3.006: Mac Start-Up Woes FixedOct 2, 2015
- Hotfix #3 v0.3.006: Mac Start-Up Woes FixedOct 2, 2015
- Hotfix #2 v0.3.005 - Bug fixes galoreOct 1, 2015
- Hotfix #2 v0.3.005 - Bug fixes galoreOct 1, 2015
- Hot Fix Update v 0.3.002Sep 25, 2015
- Hot Fix Update v 0.3.002Sep 25, 2015
- Launch date for Early AccessSep 4, 2015
- Launch date for Early AccessSep 4, 2015
- Backer Beta v. 0.2Sep 1, 2015significant · resets scoring window
- Backer Beta v. 0.2Sep 1, 2015significant · resets scoring window