I once found myself, quite unexpectedly, tangled up with this whole simulator thing — specifically, Power Wash Simulator, of all things. Don’t ask me why. And you know, there’s something oddly satisfying about seeing progress unfold from doing the most mundane tasks. But, oddly enough, it also yanks me right out of the immersion. It’s like, I’m too aware that I’m gaming.
Anyway, so there was this campfire-building simulator that popped up in the last Nintendo showcase, and I didn’t think, “Ugh, another silly simulator.” Instead, I was stoked — wait, Oink Games is on this? Crazy! They’re the folks behind all those board games like Scout and A Fake Artist Goes to New York. They’ve got this unique flair, thanks to Jun Sasaki’s magic touch. So yeah, they’re diving into this flaming new genre, which is kinda wild but super intriguing.
So, Oink Games, you know them? This Japanese publisher with this clean, artsy approach, always getting people gathered around their games. The Switch and mobile outing “Let’s Play: Oink Games” has been my jam for a while, no lie. Digital or cardboard, it’s been a laugh-fest with the crew. Now though, with “Chillin’ by the Fire,” they’ve turned digital campfires into something deeper. A game? Nah, more like a social ritual.
Starting up, you’re by this campfire and you’ve got logs scattered around — it’s like, get these logs, chop them down, and throw them over the fire pit. You light it up, watch the flames spread, and just keep it going. There’s an art to it, balancing small splinters to big logs. Feels strategic, twisting and turning those logs like some weird puzzle. Who would’ve thought this would be intense? But it is, kind of. Keeping that fire roaring isn’t as mindless as you’d think.
And hey, the social side is on point. It’s got both online and local play, kinda like a DS download thing. Bring your friends along, even if they don’t have their own copy. It’s honestly like the olden days, just hanging and seeing how big we could get that fire cracking.
Multiplayer throws out random chats, too — like, “What advice would you give your younger self?” It’s weirdly comforting, sharing thoughts while working together. Then there’s this system of achievements — you earn quirky rewards like funky axes and musical instruments. And yeah, you’re chilling by the fire but there’s fireworks?!
Sure, it’s not perfect. The whole log-stacking thing? Motion controls would’ve been brilliant. It can be frustrating when logs pop up unexpectedly instead of fitting in nicely. And sure, those chairs and tents you can buy are just eye candy. But that’s okay. It’s still zen, something for the background.
This game is a chill vibe, the most colorful twist on a basic idea. Oink Games nailed something quirky yet meaningful here. Didn’t think I’d be hype about a campfire sim, but hey, it sparked something in me. So, are we gonna see someone blaze through this game with speedruns? Plausible.
