Alright, so here’s the deal. I stumbled upon this genre of job-like simulators—never thought they’d catch my eye. Except, maybe for that Power Wash thing. And that’s weird, right? These games make me feel like I’m too conscious of the fact I’m, well, gaming. So when a campfire-building simulator popped up during a Nintendo showcase, my reaction wasn’t, “Ugh, another silly sim,” but more like, “Wait, Oink’s doing this?” Yep, the same Oink Games that’s got a knack for killer board games just jumped into this fiery pool. Shockingly, it sizzles.
Oink Games, you might know them—or not—as the minds behind “Scout,” “A Fake Artist Goes to New York,” and “Deep Sea Adventure.” They’re from Japan, making waves—pun intended—with sleek designs and social gameplay. Their Switch and mobile game Let’s Play: Oink Games became my multiplayer go-to. Simple, fun evenings with friends. Now, Chillin’ by the Fire sneaks that vibe into something a bit more… interactive? Yeah, let’s go with that.
You kick things off staring at a campfire. Just you, an igniter, and logs lying around. With tongs, you grapple logs, chop ’em down, and stack them in your fire pit. Light her up and watch the fire eat those logs. Bigger logs feed the fire better but take eons to spark. Smaller logs? They’re like lighter fuel but don’t last as long. Oh, and you can twist and turn the logs to fit just right. Getting the blaze going? Easy peasy. Keeping it roaring? That’s a whole other beast.
It’s relaxing solo, sure, but who knew it’s a killer social gig with pals? Play online or local and yes, with video chat. Gamers without a copy can jump in too! Reminds me of those DS Download Play days—nostalgia overload! Juggling logs with a buddy, cracking jokes, and building monstrous fires was oddly thrilling. Prompts pop up like, “What advice would your past self need?” adding a reflective chat element. Chill vibes, totally unexpected for a fire sim. There’s achievements, points, and silly swag like axes, fireworks, and even glow sticks.
Not saying it’s flawless. Motion controls for spinning logs would’ve made more sense—I mean really. Trying to fit logs can be more pain than gain. And chairs and tents? Just decoration, though that’s cool. The chill, zen nature means it’s perfect for a background activity. Multitaskers, rejoice!
This campfire simulator? Definitely extra in every way. Oink Games nailed the social vibe and tried a wild new direction. Didn’t think I’d dig a campfire sim in this decade, but who am I kidding? It sparked something in me. Think pyromaniacs are gonna start speedrunning this thing? Not if I beat them to it.
