Around the Fire

Around the Fire is a survival game told as a story around a fire. You begin in a wilderness knowing nothing, and learn through repeated attempts; the knowledge and experience you gain help you progress in later attempts. The visuals represent what you imagine as the story is told, using cave-painting-like artwork. There are no tutorials or heads-up displays, and death ends an attempt.

Explore and survive

Each game takes place in a randomly generated wilderness with changing weather, caves and a wide variety of animals. You can hunt or be hunted, interact with plants and encounter wildlife. Eat to survive, stay warm and avoid being mauled. Food comes from slaughtering animals or harvesting plants; it can deteriorate, attract wildlife and be cooked into a healthier meal.

Craft and build

There is no crafting menu. To craft, carry an item and bring it to other items with the intention of combining them. Holding the craft button performs the action, which you can accelerate by clicking the attack button. Use tools rather than your fists to cut down trees, since striking a tree with your hands hurts you more than it hurts the tree.

Establishing a settlement and keeping food supplies may attract other humans, who can help with hunts. Animals such as wolves can become more domesticated if you spend time with them without being eaten; they may eventually become your pets.

Other discoveries

You can find or craft a flute and play it to see what happens. The game also features custom colours, sounds and trees that sway in the wind.