Okay, so here’s the thing about simulators. Stay with me here—I’ve dabbled a bit, you know, mostly with Power Wash Simulator (hey, oddly satisfying clean-up, right?), but beyond that, the whole job-like simulator scene? Eh, hasn’t really grabbed me. I mean, sure, watching progress as you do mundane stuff does tickle some part of my brain, making me all too aware, “Hey, you’re gaming, buddy!” So when that new campfire-building-simulator popped up at the latest Nintendo showcase, I wasn’t like, “Oh wow, another sim!” but rather, “Wait, an Oink game?!” You know them, right? They’re kinda like the social butterflies of the board game world, and now they’re diving into this? Wild. Guess what—it’s surprisingly fun. No joke.
Oink Games, for those who aren’t board game nerds like me, they’ve churned out gems like Scout and A Fake Artist Goes to New York. Japanese publisher, neat art, super social—yep, all led by Jun Sasaki. A while ago, “Let’s Play: Oink Games” hit Switch and mobile, becoming my go-to for a good laugh with pals. Seriously, it’s like hanging out without actually hanging out. Their new one, “Chillin’ by the Fire,” somehow way more social and deeper than you’d think. Strange, right?
So you start a level and boom, there’s the campfire, an igniter, logs scattered everywhere, screaming for organization. Grab logs with tongs (because, honestly, hands? Nah), whack them on a chopping block, and lay them out like a puzzle. Light it up and watch the flames do their thing—it’s all about not letting that bad boy die down. You toss bigger logs for a sustained burn but hack some into splinters to keep things dynamic. The fun part? You get to play Tetris with logs. Seriously, spin and twist them to fit like firewood Legos—sound weird? It is. The game’s real magic lies in keeping the fire roaring without going down. Simple concept, challenging execution.
Solo is zen and all, but multiplayer? Whole different beast. It’s online, local, heck, even video-supported for your friends who don’t own the game. Total throwback to DS Download Play days, trust me. There’s something oddly entertaining about huddling over virtual flames. We’d measure logs, swap stories—random chatter like “What advice would your past self need?” It’s chilled vibes all around, and it totally snuck up on me. Achievements? Yeah, for keeping that blaze alive. Points lead to axes, funny items like glow sticks—cos why not?
But, let’s not sugarcoat. It’s not perfect. Motion controls would’ve made stack-n’-twist woodwork snappier. And I dunno why, but squeezing logs into tight spots? Often just ends up throwing them on top. Sure, you can snag chairs and tents, but they’re just for looks. Chatting and leveling your fire is the main scene here—not much else going on. Weirdly okay with that though, like, zen mode active. Great background noise for when you’re half-watching Netflix.
This fire sim is bonkers for a game of its size, yet it thrives on social sparks. Oink stayed true to their heart while flipping the script a bit. Honestly never thought I’d be vouching for a fire-building game in 2025, but hey, it kinda lit up something inside. Now, anyone up for speedrunning with a virtual bonfire?
