Chillin’ By The Fire Review

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Fast Facts

Chillin’ by the Fire is exactly what its title suggests. It’s a digital campfire from Oink Games where the whole point is to keep a fire burning while you and a few friends hang out. You’ll be chopping logs, stacking them, and occasionally blowing on the flames to stop them from going out. On paper, it sounds simple, and in practice, it is. The hook isn’t really about the mechanics though, it’s about creating a space to relax and talk.

Flames & Feedback: Gameplay

Playing alone, Chillin’ by the Fire is a quiet, almost meditative little game. The controls are straightforward: pick up logs, chop them down, rotate them into place, and try to balance the flame’s strength. There are a few different modes and environments that add slight twists, like harsher weather or tougher conditions, but they don’t fundamentally change how it plays. The joy here comes less from depth and more from the rhythm – keep the fire alive, watch it flicker and crackle, and enjoy the atmosphere.

It’s pleasant, but there isn’t much to chew on mechanically. If you’re someone who needs progression systems, challenges, or rewards, you’ll find it thin.

Multiplayer & “Hanging Out, Digitally”

Where the game makes more sense is in multiplayer. Up to four people can join in – either locally or online – and thanks to game sharing, only one person actually needs to own it. Everyone gathers around the same fire, adding logs and tending the flames together. You can even switch on your camera and mic, which pops up little video bubbles of your friends sitting around the campfire with you. The game also has conversation prompts you can trigger if things go quiet, which is a nice touch.

This turns Chillin’ by the Fire into less of a traditional co-op game and more of a backdrop for conversation. It’s not about winning or losing – it’s about keeping something going while you chat, like a digital version of sitting outside with friends on a summer night.

Where It Feels Like Discord

That’s also where it gets a little odd. Because the activity itself is so minimal, it ends up feeling a bit like a strange alternative to Discord. The fire is essentially the “background noise” for your conversations, but unlike Discord where you can be playing any game in the world, here the fire is the only activity. The conversation prompts make it clear that talking is supposed to be the main event, while the video bubbles make it feel closer to a slow-paced video call than a multiplayer game.

It’s an interesting idea, and for some people it might be a cosy way to spend time together. But if you already hop on Discord calls while playing other games, it’s hard to see this replacing that. It has charm, but also feels like it’s filling a gap that maybe didn’t need filling.

What Works, What Doesn’t

There are things Chillin’ by the Fire does well. The atmosphere is spot on, with relaxing visuals and sound that make the campfire genuinely nice to watch. The multiplayer setup is clever, especially the game sharing feature, and the built-in chat prompts are surprisingly handy for keeping conversations flowing. When it all comes together, it feels cosy and welcoming.

The flip side is that it runs out of steam quickly. On your own, there’s not enough to keep you engaged for long, and even with friends the clunky controls can get in the way when you’re trying to place logs neatly. Accessibility options are limited, and unless you’re specifically looking for a slow social experience, the appeal is pretty niche.

Final Thoughts

Chillin’ by the Fire is an unusual little experiment. As a relaxed social space, it works, and there’s definitely something charming about sharing a fire with friends online. But as a game, it’s light to the point of almost disappearing.

If you want a quiet place to chat with friends while doing something simple in the background, this could be a nice fit. If you’re hoping for a more engaging co-op game or an alternative to Discord that actually replaces what Discord does, you’ll probably be left wanting. It’s cosy, it’s odd, and it’s not for everyone.

Rapid Reviews Rating

1.5 out of 5

You can buy Chillin’ By The Fire on the Nintendo eShop here.