PGC NEWS

The Last Campfire, developed by Hello Games, the studio behind No Man’s Sky, first caught attention with its charming trailer at The Game Awards 2018. Unlike its predecessor, The Last Campfire offers a heartwarming and emotional experience. But does this indie adventure live up to its promise? Let’s dive into this enchanting world of lost souls and rekindled hope.

A Flicker of Hope in a Charming World

The Last Campfire Ember by the fire

The Last Campfire begins with a sense of mystery and quickly unfolds into a tale of hope and warmth. The narrative is gentle yet profound, exploring themes of loneliness, isolation, and the fear of judgment. The story unfolds alongside the puzzles, weaving a tapestry of heartfelt conversations and meaningful interactions.

You play as Ember, a small ember searching for purpose in a world filled with “Forlorn Souls”—beings who have lost their way and turned to stone. The gameplay seamlessly blends open-world exploration with a guided narrative, reminiscent of titles like God of War (2018), Tearaway Unfolded, and perhaps most notably, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. This open-world structure allows players to explore at their own pace, uncovering hidden areas and secrets along the way.

The Last Campfire Forlorn Soul

While categorized as a puzzle game, the challenges presented in The Last Campfire are generally straightforward. However, the game compensates for the lack of difficulty with touching narratives interwoven within each puzzle. These puzzles, often stemming from the Forlorn Souls, represent their hidden anxieties and fears. Solving these puzzles brings a spark of hope, rekindling the lost souls and restoring them to life.

This gameplay loop, combined with the intimate storytelling, forms the core of Ember’s journey. You are not forced to solve puzzles in a specific order, nor are you required to save every Forlorn Soul, although a certain number must be helped to progress the story. For players who prefer to focus solely on the narrative, an exploration mode is available, similar to the recent indie title, Sunlight.

The world of The Last Campfire is intricately designed, with numerous hidden areas and cleverly disguised paths. While the individual areas may appear small, they offer ample opportunity for exploration and discovery, encouraging players to uncover hidden letters filled with the poignant musings of another lost soul. This design philosophy, similar to that seen in games like ABZU and Astro’s Playroom, encourages exploration and rewards curiosity.

A Visual and Auditory Fairytale

The Last Campfire Environment

The Last Campfire boasts a captivating atmosphere, drawing players into its enchanting world through meticulously crafted environments, thoughtful lighting, and vibrant colors. Despite its indie nature, the game’s artistic style shines through, creating a truly beautiful experience. The character designs are adorable and expressive, with Ember’s detailed animations and the supporting characters’ charming designs adding to the overall appeal.

The sound design and music of The Last Campfire are equally impressive. From the opening moments, the soundtrack creates a sense of tranquility and introspection, reminiscent of another beloved indie title, GRIS. The music perfectly complements the game’s fairytale-like atmosphere, enhancing the emotional impact of the narrative.

The Last Campfire Music

Room for Improvement

The Last Campfire Glitch

While The Last Campfire excels in its presentation and narrative, the puzzle difficulty could be more challenging. As previously mentioned, many puzzles are quite simple, lacking the depth and complexity that some players might expect. Additionally, there are a few minor technical issues, such as occasional frame rate drops during cutscenes or transitions between areas. Some visual glitches, like overlapping effects, are also noticeable, especially with the water ripples as Ember rows a boat. Rarely, sound issues can occur, but these are infrequent.

Conclusion

The Last Campfire is a beautiful and heartwarming journey that resonates with its themes of hope and resilience. While the puzzles could offer more challenge, the game’s charming visuals, enchanting music, and touching narrative create a memorable experience. Despite minor technical hiccups, The Last Campfire is a worthwhile adventure for players seeking a heartwarming and emotionally resonant experience.