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[Carl]

​

Platforms Vita (relasing soon on PS4 and Steam)
Release date: March 10th (US)/March 11th (EU)
Price: $9.99/Euro 9.99/£7.99 (20% week one PS+ discount)
Developer: Laughing Jackal
Also, it has a platinum trophy

Release trailer

Flame Over is a roguelike firefighting game ("pyroguelike" as the developers like to call it). I've seen it described as Spelunky with firefighting. It's hard but fair and incredibly rewarding, not to mention really addictive and bloody fun. Check out the developer Let's Play video for a good run-down of the game (and some helpful hints if you're unsure how to tackle the flames).

Developer Let's Play part 1

Part 2

Screenshots

Oh, reviews you say?

Flame Over breathes life into a very unique genre that forces you to accept death as another gameplay mechanic. Battling a deadly fire and rescuing its potential victims is strangely addictive. With death always minutes or even seconds away it’s always a frantic and tense experience that has me playing until my PS Vita battery drains. Flame Over isn’t just one of my favorite PS Vita games of the year but one of my favorite games full stop. I seriously cannot stop playing it.

PSNation : 10/10

Flame Over is a devilishly hard game, but it is fun and challenging, if you give the game a chance you get better at it over time, you will get further in the game and will want to improve your high score. I love Flame Over, although the game does not love me, I'm being tormented and punished all the time for my bad play ability, but I can not help but come back for more I lost every single day.

JoyPad : 90/100

As a pure game, Flame Over burns about as bright as a Bunsen burner with the air holes open and some magnesium tape held in the flame. It is a rock of a challenge that only Herculean gamers will complete, with some right bastard trophies! If you're up for the challenge, jump right in, if not best go play Pokemon with the kids!

PS Vita Roundup - 9/10

If you put enough time into Flame Over, you and your Vita will get on like a house on fire. It’s a tough but hugely rewarding experience that amounts to one of the best Vita releases around. Feel the burn!

Punk and Lizard : 9/10

Other than that, Flame Over is a great game that is sure to get Vita owners hooked with its simple to pick up, difficult to master style of play that will have you wanting to better your previous run every time you pick it up. Releasing for the PlayStation Vita in the same month as other indie titles such as HELLDIVERS, Hotline Miami 2 and OlliOlli 2, Flame Over certainly braves the elements and offers challenging fun to those that wish to tackle it. Laughing Jackal have done a stellar job with this release and I’d wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone that has the slightest interest in it! Trust me, pick this game up – you won’t get burnt!

The Vita Lounge : 4.5/5

Even in a month where the Vita line-up touts Hotline Miami sequels, the magnificent Helldivers and enigmatic gear like Oreshika, Flame Over demands a spot in the playlist. Featuring tight controls, whimsical audio-visuals that belie a ruthless-but-fair set of game systems and a minute cost of entry, there remains little to say but get it while it’s hot.

Coffee Break Gaming : 9/10

Flame Over is a fresh and quirky experience that I would recommend to anyone that is a fan of the roguelike genre. I've never played anything like it and am already thinking about how I can improve my game.

GBA Temp : 8.5/10

Flame Over is a good gaming experience that is dragged down by a little too little content and a little too high severity. The game forces you to understand and learn the tactics of almost alone, which makes up the hill unnecessarily steep. Jamming you, however for gameplay, you have many and again many fires to put out, and many hours of struggling to reach the top list.

Swedish IGN 7.1/10

For PS Vita owners, this game is a pleasant little surprise. Its twin-stick controls work great on the handheld, there’s no forced touchscreen use, its art style and music work well and its core gameplay is solid for a while.

Flame Over isn’t perfect. It is, however, fun.

Playstation Lifestyle : 7/10

You'll need real perseverance to get the most out of Flame Over, but once you get to grips with the game, it'll grow on you like an out-of-control inferno. Packing plenty of replay value, this is hard to put down once you straddle its early hurdles – and while we're not convinced that everyone will be willing to put the work in, the few that do will be fighting fires for some time.

Push Square : 7/10

Flame Over takes a shot at a little explored area in games and has some interesting ideas. The way fire spreads is pretty good, but the rest of the game falls a little short with the real killer being repetition. It’s just not random enough to maintain interest for too long, and that’s a fatal flaw in a roguelike with permadeath.

The Sixth Axis - 5/10

Make no mistake about it, Laughing Jackal’s latest is hot stuff. Its packs a ferocious difficulty level and a protagonist that makes Fireman Sam look like a weakling – which, in retrospect, he actually was. There’s nothing else like it on Playstation Vita, or on any other platform for that matter. Not only is it one of the best games of 2015 (so far), it’s one of the best games on Playstation Vita. Period.

Critical Indie Gamer


Video Reviews/Previews:

Jamm3r

GadgetGirlKylie

Tips (You'll need them)

Some tips courtesy of PS Vita Roundup: http://psp2roundup.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/flame-over-fire-fighting-tips.html

• Focus on three things. First the electrical switch, make a beeline for it and flip it. Then Miss Ion or the shop (they rotate across levels). Do the mission first for two minutes of added time, or get what you can afford from the shop, especially time or lives. Finally, rescue people and cats as you put out the rest of the blaze.
• You can't spend money until you get tokens, so repeat level one a few times to do Miss Ion's bidding and then build up Blaze's powers.
• If you can't afford something vital, like the defibrillator, in the shop, and have the time to spare, find a large room. Almost clear the fire, let it grow again and repeat until you have enough cash.
• You can find the items Miss Ion needs before accepting some missions. So, search along the areas as you go, and when you bump into her, you can take her straight to the exit, saving and earning time.
• Save your water bombs for rooms with people in, lobbing them can save lives and make it easier to extract the workers and cats to safety.
• Time stops when looking at the map, but not at the shop or when you return to the start point.
• Don't worry about the clock, you're going to die lots anyway, and when it hits 0:00 you still have plenty of time, if you can avoid Death. When you explore the level look for any large room, should death come calling, head here and you can avoid him and double back to finish off any tasks.
• Don't bother too much with the camera in the early levels, but always hose down the corners behind Blaze as you enter a room. When you have a second, then pan around to check for hot spots.
• Turn the music off in the Options menu (and the footsteps if you like), it can be distracting and makes playing in quiet mode makes it easier to hear people coughing in big rooms, and the different fire sounds that spell danger.
• The Executive corridors are usually full of fire, remember to refill your water tank before diving into other rooms if you've just waded through a long passage.
• In the Labs, foam down the green chemical vents until the room lights up, indicating it is clear. Use water to clear green spills on the floor, as they sap your health, fast.
• You can always go back to the shop, so keep on working if there's something you really want on sale.
• Make sure you really pressed the reload/follow button, perhaps my old Vita is getting a bit sticky-keyed, but several times I thought I'd pressed it, only to run off without water or the person.
• Finally, the last levels are rock hard, it is worth starting at the beginning to build up your lives and equipment so you can battle through them more effectively.

 

[Tizoc]

I must be the ONLY one who thought of rosco mcqueen when they heard of this gMe :/
Will grab it later today lookin forward to this.

 

[Infinite_Daremo]

Thanks for the OT Carl

Im the Programmer of the game. Feel free to ask me any questions.

We will also be demo'ing the PS4/PC version at Rezzed this week so pop along to try that one out if you want.

Heres how the game currently looks on PS4:

 

[I Wanna Be The Guy]

Flame Over you cannot ignore. Carl is the hero next door.

 

[Decider]

Looks like The Firemen, which has my interest. Really not into the art style though, it looks lifelessly clean.

 

[Carl]

I must be the ONLY one who thought of rosco mcqueen when they heard of this gMe :/
Will grab it later today lookin forward to this.

Someone else asked me if it was like that, i'd never heard of it before yesterday!

 

[Tizoc]

Someone else asked me if it was like that, i'd never heard of it before yesterday!

One of the earliest psx games i played and it belonged to my cousin
It is available on jp pan oddly enough.

 

[Camjo-Z]

Hm, I was interested before but after those reviews I definitely have to grab it today!

 

[atomsk]

between this and Hotline 2 today, I envision a lot of screaming at my TV.

should be fun

 

[daydream]

Happy to give this a shot, firefighting games are dope.

 

[Infinite_Daremo]

Can't wait for GAF impressions tonight and tomorrow. Hope you all like it.

Some tips courtesy of PS Vita Roundup: http://psp2roundup.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/flame-over-fire-fighting-tips.html

• Focus on three things. First the electrical switch, make a beeline for it and flip it. Then Miss Ion or the shop (they rotate across levels). Do the mission first for two minutes of added time, or get what you can afford from the shop, especially time or lives. Finally, rescue people and cats as you put out the rest of the blaze.
• You can't spend money until you get tokens, so repeat level one a few times to do Miss Ion's bidding and then build up Blaze's powers.
• If you can't afford something vital, like the defibrillator, in the shop, and have the time to spare, find a large room. Almost clear the fire, let it grow again and repeat until you have enough cash.
• You can find the items Miss Ion needs before accepting some missions. So, search along the areas as you go, and when you bump into her, you can take her straight to the exit, saving and earning time.
• Save your water bombs for rooms with people in, lobbing them can save lives and make it easier to extract the workers and cats to safety.
• Time stops when looking at the map, but not at the shop or when you return to the start point.
• Don't worry about the clock, you're going to die lots anyway, and when it hits 0:00 you still have plenty of time, if you can avoid Death. When you explore the level look for any large room, should death come calling, head here and you can avoid him and double back to finish off any tasks.
• Don't bother too much with the camera in the early levels, but always hose down the corners behind Blaze as you enter a room. When you have a second, then pan around to check for hot spots.
• Turn the music off in the Options menu (and the footsteps if you like), it can be distracting and makes playing in quiet mode makes it easier to hear people coughing in big rooms, and the different fire sounds that spell danger.
• The Executive corridors are usually full of fire, remember to refill your water tank before diving into other rooms if you've just waded through a long passage.
• In the Labs, foam down the green chemical vents until the room lights up, indicating it is clear. Use water to clear green spills on the floor, as they sap your health, fast.
• You can always go back to the shop, so keep on working if there's something you really want on sale.
• Make sure you really pressed the reload/follow button, perhaps my old Vita is getting a bit sticky-keyed, but several times I thought I'd pressed it, only to run off without water or the person.
• Finally, the last levels are rock hard, it is worth starting at the beginning to build up your lives and equipment so you can battle through them more effectively.

Youre gonna need em!

 

[ghostlight_ross]

Can't wait for GAF impressions tonight and tomorrow. Hope you all like it.

Some tips courtesy of PS Vita Roundup: http://psp2roundup.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/flame-over-fire-fighting-tips.html

• Focus on three things. First the electrical switch, make a beeline for it and flip it. Then Miss Ion or the shop (they rotate across levels). Do the mission first for two minutes of added time, or get what you can afford from the shop, especially time or lives. Finally, rescue people and cats as you put out the rest of the blaze.
• You can't spend money until you get tokens, so repeat level one a few times to do Miss Ion's bidding and then build up Blaze's powers.
• If you can't afford something vital, like the defibrillator, in the shop, and have the time to spare, find a large room. Almost clear the fire, let it grow again and repeat until you have enough cash.
• You can find the items Miss Ion needs before accepting some missions. So, search along the areas as you go, and when you bump into her, you can take her straight to the exit, saving and earning time.
• Save your water bombs for rooms with people in, lobbing them can save lives and make it easier to extract the workers and cats to safety.
• Time stops when looking at the map, but not at the shop or when you return to the start point.
• Don't worry about the clock, you're going to die lots anyway, and when it hits 0:00 you still have plenty of time, if you can avoid Death. When you explore the level look for any large room, should death come calling, head here and you can avoid him and double back to finish off any tasks.
• Don't bother too much with the camera in the early levels, but always hose down the corners behind Blaze as you enter a room. When you have a second, then pan around to check for hot spots.
• Turn the music off in the Options menu (and the footsteps if you like), it can be distracting and makes playing in quiet mode makes it easier to hear people coughing in big rooms, and the different fire sounds that spell danger.
• The Executive corridors are usually full of fire, remember to refill your water tank before diving into other rooms if you've just waded through a long passage.
• In the Labs, foam down the green chemical vents until the room lights up, indicating it is clear. Use water to clear green spills on the floor, as they sap your health, fast.
• You can always go back to the shop, so keep on working if there's something you really want on sale.
• Make sure you really pressed the reload/follow button, perhaps my old Vita is getting a bit sticky-keyed, but several times I thought I'd pressed it, only to run off without water or the person.
• Finally, the last levels are rock hard, it is worth starting at the beginning to build up your lives and equipment so you can battle through them more effectively.

Youre gonna need em!

That's actually some pretty handy advice

 

[Carl]

Can't wait for GAF impressions tonight and tomorrow. Hope you all like it.

Some tips courtesy of PS Vita Roundup: http://psp2roundup.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/flame-over-fire-fighting-tips.html

• Focus on three things. First the electrical switch, make a beeline for it and flip it. Then Miss Ion or the shop (they rotate across levels). Do the mission first for two minutes of added time, or get what you can afford from the shop, especially time or lives. Finally, rescue people and cats as you put out the rest of the blaze.
• You can't spend money until you get tokens, so repeat level one a few times to do Miss Ion's bidding and then build up Blaze's powers.
• If you can't afford something vital, like the defibrillator, in the shop, and have the time to spare, find a large room. Almost clear the fire, let it grow again and repeat until you have enough cash.
• You can find the items Miss Ion needs before accepting some missions. So, search along the areas as you go, and when you bump into her, you can take her straight to the exit, saving and earning time.
• Save your water bombs for rooms with people in, lobbing them can save lives and make it easier to extract the workers and cats to safety.
• Time stops when looking at the map, but not at the shop or when you return to the start point.
• Don't worry about the clock, you're going to die lots anyway, and when it hits 0:00 you still have plenty of time, if you can avoid Death. When you explore the level look for any large room, should death come calling, head here and you can avoid him and double back to finish off any tasks.
• Don't bother too much with the camera in the early levels, but always hose down the corners behind Blaze as you enter a room. When you have a second, then pan around to check for hot spots.
• Turn the music off in the Options menu (and the footsteps if you like), it can be distracting and makes playing in quiet mode makes it easier to hear people coughing in big rooms, and the different fire sounds that spell danger.
• The Executive corridors are usually full of fire, remember to refill your water tank before diving into other rooms if you've just waded through a long passage.
• In the Labs, foam down the green chemical vents until the room lights up, indicating it is clear. Use water to clear green spills on the floor, as they sap your health, fast.
• You can always go back to the shop, so keep on working if there's something you really want on sale.
• Make sure you really pressed the reload/follow button, perhaps my old Vita is getting a bit sticky-keyed, but several times I thought I'd pressed it, only to run off without water or the person.
• Finally, the last levels are rock hard, it is worth starting at the beginning to build up your lives and equipment so you can battle through them more effectively.

Youre gonna need em!

Good tips, i'll add them to the OP

 

[Deft Beck]

I watched a friend play this on his stream, and I will pick it up today.

I wonder if it will be cross-buy to the PS4 when that version releases.

 

[Carl]

I watched a friend play this on his stream, and I will pick it up today.

I wonder if it will be cross-buy to the PS4 when that version releases.

One of the developers said that they're pushing for cross-buy but not sure yet. Fingers crossed

 

[Triggerhappytel]

Thanks for the OT Carl

Im the Programmer of the game. Feel free to ask me any questions.

We will also be demo'ing the PS4/PC version at Rezzed this week so pop along to try that one out if you want.

Heres how the game currently looks on PS4:

I know you've probably answered this already, but will it be cross-buy between the PS4 and Vita?

Never mind, already answered above.

I'm surprised at the strong reviews for this. Not that I was expecting it to be bad, just not garner quite as much acclaim is it seems to be. I don't suppose there's any chance of a demo?

 

[ShogunDarius]

so looking forward to this

 

[Infinite_Daremo]

I know you've probably answered this already, but will it be cross-buy between the PS4 and Vita?

Never mind, already answered above.

I'm surprised at the strong reviews for this. Not that I was expecting it to be bad, just not garner quite as much acclaim is it seems to be. I don't suppose there's any chance of a demo?

No demo, sorry.

 

[ghostlight_ross]

I know you've probably answered this already, but will it be cross-buy between the PS4 and Vita?

Never mind, already answered above.

I'm surprised at the strong reviews for this. Not that I was expecting it to be bad, just not garner quite as much acclaim is it seems to be. I don't suppose there's any chance of a demo?

I'm afraid there are no plans for a demo at the moment.

Edit- Beaten to it

 

[Triggerhappytel]

No demo, sorry.

I'm afraid there are no plans for a demo at the moment.

Edit- Beaten to it

Not to worry. For £6.40 I may take the plunge anyway and give it a go.

 

[ghostlight_ross]

Since it's not been mentioned in the thread you can check out the Official Flame Over site here http://flameovergame.com/

The press pack here http://flameovergame.com/press contains some hints from the game designer, if anyone finds them self a bit stuck.

 

[Infinite_Daremo]

Another review: http://www.leviathyn.com/sony/2015/03/10/flame-review-pyroguelike/ : 9/10

I’m currently having a blast playing this game. I will admit, the fact that this is my first roguelike game plays a big role in that. But more importantly, the uniqueness of this title cannot go unnoticed. We are living in a world where everything is dark and has zombies in it. Playing as a firefighter in a bright world is a nice breath of fresh air. This game is very punishing. I do think either the timer should be extended, or the amount of life points you are given should be built upon at least a little bit. I found myself dying a lot within the first few hours of me playing, and not to brag, but I would not call myself a bad gamer. Even though I was dying a lot, I was having fun, and to me, that is what matters most. For ten dollars, I would absolutely recommend picking this game up.

 

[Redhood]

at that price with 20% discount! Sold.

 

[grounded_dreams]

Can not wait to play this game and hopefully met the guys who developed the game at Rezzed in London this week.

 

[Infinite_Daremo]

Can not wait to play this game and hopefully met the guys who developed the game at Rezzed in London this week.

Ill be there. You can show me your skills on the PS4 version

Although we've made it easier for new people, just for EGX. 5 hearts, fully upgraded, 4 powerups unlocked. All levels unlocked too.

 

[DaveTheSnake]

Really excited to play this game. Even though it is coming out for PS4 eventually, this is a perfect game for the Vita for me.

And it has a Platinum!

 

[grounded_dreams]

Ill be there. You can show me your skills on the PS4 version

Although we've made it easier for new people, just for EGX. 5 hearts, fully upgraded, 4 powerups unlocked. All levels unlocked too.

Challenge accepted :¬)

 

[ghostlight_ross]

Flame Over is out now on the North American PSN Store https://store.sonyentertainmentnetw...over/cid=UP4132-PCSE00566_00-FLAMEOVERLLJ2014

 

[Carl]

Really excited to play this game. Even though it is coming out for PS4 eventually, this is a perfect game for the Vita for me.

And it has a Platinum!

A bloody hard one though, can't see myself getting it! Completing the game rescuing all people and cats without any of them dying will be a bugger.

 

[Infinite_Daremo]

A bloody hard one though, can't see myself getting it! Completing the game rescuing all people and cats without any of them dying will be a bugger.

Well theres is a nice bug to help you get some of them trophies until patch 1.02 hits

 

[Carl]

Well theres is a nice bug to help you get some of them trophies until patch 1.02 hits

You're not supposed to tell us that

 

[atomsk]

Flame Over is out now on the North American PSN Store https://store.sonyentertainmentnetw...over/cid=UP4132-PCSE00566_00-FLAMEOVERLLJ2014

waiting on the PS+ discount to go live, then I'm in.

 

[Tohsaka]

Any indication as to whether this works on the PSTV? I'd assume so.

 

[ItsBradazPlays]

ATG Reviews gave it a 9/10

http://atgreviews.com/2015/03/flame-over-review-ps-vita/

"Flame Over is a notoriously hard game, and will have you taking a few hours to fully understand how to work as efficiently as possible and even beat the first level - but that’s the fun of it also. The random generation provides a near infinite replay-ability and the inclusion of the permanent upgrade system (whose only difficulty is in obtaining the require tokens) stops the game from becoming too hard to be enjoyable."

 

[ghostlight_ross]

Any indication as to whether this works on the PSTV? I'd assume so.

It does work on Vita TV

 

[foobarry81]

When does it go up tomorrow in the Euro PlayStation Store?

 

[Infinite_Daremo]

When does it go up tomorrow in the Euro PlayStation Store?

Random as always. Search usually works before page updates though. Me or Ross will post in here when its up

 

[foobarry81]

Random as always. Search usually works before page updates though. Me or Ross will post in here when its up

My Vita (TV) is ready.

(still debating whether I'd best play it on my portable or rather on the big screen.)

 

[Infinite_Daremo]

My Vita (TV) is ready.

(still debating whether I'd best play it on my portable or rather on the big screen.)

Save the big screen for the PS4 version

 

[DaveTheSnake]

waiting on the PS+ discount to go live, then I'm in.

Is there a PS+ discount for the NA PSN store? I thought it was only for EU?

 

[DaveTheSnake]

A bloody hard one though, can't see myself getting it! Completing the game rescuing all people and cats without any of them dying will be a bugger.

Yes, that will be difficult. The other trophy that will be challenging for me will be the one hour speed run.

 

[Infinite_Daremo]

Yes, that will be difficult. The other trophy that will be challenging for me will be the one hour speed run.

Its possible. I managed a 65 minute speed run the other day and I didn't get the speed boots powerup which makes you travel 4x as fast. Getting that powerup on level 2 should give you a good chance.

 

[foobarry81]

Save the big screen for the PS4 version

Don't own one. Flame Over as a system seller for the PS4. Now that would be something. ;-)

 

[Infinite_Daremo]

Don't own one. Flame Over as a system seller for the PS4. Now that would be something. ;-)

It would go on my CV under References if that happened

 

[Mikor]

Is there a PS+ discount for the NA PSN store? I thought it was only for EU?

Infinite_Daremo, are you able to address this? I, too, am waiting for the discount to go live before buying, but if there is no NA discount then there is no sense in waiting any further.

 

[Infinite_Daremo]

Infinite_Daremo, are you able to address this? I, too, am waiting for the discount to go live before buying, but if there is no NA discount then there is no sense in waiting any further.

Are you finding it through search or has the store updated? Im in EU so I can't check the store. There is definitely a discount for this game so please wait.

 

[Mikor]

Are you finding it through search or has the store updated? Im in EU so I can't check the store. There is definitely a discount for this game so please wait.

I am accessing it through the browser, at https://store.sonyentertainmentnetw...over/cid=UP4132-PCSE00566_00-FLAMEOVERLLJ2014

 

[Infinite_Daremo]

I am accessing it through the browser, at https://store.sonyentertainmentnetw...over/cid=UP4132-PCSE00566_00-FLAMEOVERLLJ2014

It re-directs me to UK. Ill contact my designer now.

 

[Carl]

Yes, that will be difficult. The other trophy that will be challenging for me will be the one hour speed run.

Yeah, that one too

Its possible. I managed a 65 minute speed run the other day and I didn't get the speed boots powerup which makes you travel 4x as fast. Getting that powerup on level 2 should give you a good chance.

Not seen that item yet

 

[Mikor]

It re-directs me to UK. Ill contact my designer now.

Thank you for your diligence, and apologies for the thread derail. I love, love, love roguelikes and this take on the genre looks refreshing, can't wait to play it!