Wildfire is a 2D stealth game from a small four-man team, and it’s already shaping up to be one of the more interesting takes on sneaking around that I’ve seen in a while.
There’s something about 2D stealth that makes me enjoy it more than its 3D cousins. The way the perspective plays out makes stealth less of a battle against 3D controls and presents it as more of a straight-up puzzle, and Wildfire plays to this strength by arming you with more than just the ability to sneak around.
https://kotaku.com/ronin-is-real-time-on-the-streets-turn-based-in-the-sh-1693705193
You’ve got, well, fire, the ability to summon flames (and steal it off your enemies) and then use them to both burn stuff down and distract/terrify enemies. You can also use water, to douse flames, freeze things and heal yourself, though I guess Watersmith wouldn’t have been as catchy a title.
Then there’s more traditional stealth stuff like sticking to the shadows, stalking around in long grass and keeping track of the noise you’re making (which is reflected via a very helpful blue wave that spreads out from your avatar as you’re jumping).
The team behind it is being led by Dan Hindes, a games writer and head of Sneaky Bastards, a website and magazine that knows more than a thing or two about stealth games.
Wildfire is currently up on Kickstarter. If you want to try before you buy (well, pledge), there’s a playable alpha/demo link on the Kickstarter page. I’ve been playing it this afternoon, and it’s pretty damn good!
