Little Inferno

Little Inferno was one of the Wii U's launch titles and also one of its most distinctive games. The player sits in front of a virtual fireplace, ordering items from a catalog - toys, furniture, fireworks - only to burn them. Combining burning objects creates new combinations and unlocks further catalog items, forming a simple but addictive puzzle system built on experimentation and observation. Gradually unlocking ever more bizarre combinations - say, pairing a snowman with fireworks - keeps the player at the screen longer than such a stripped-down concept might suggest at first glance.

Beneath the seemingly innocent and playful graphics, though, lies a quieter, melancholic layer. The game gradually comments on consumerist behavior and escape into virtual entertainment, while characters in letters the player receives hint at a chillier context to the world outside the window. On Wii U the GamePad is used as a direct window into the fireplace, which the player taps and drags items across with a finger or stylus, making interaction with the fire feel very tangible. The audio side is understated and ambient, letting the crackle of the fire and the playful sounds of burning objects come through. Gradually a phone call with a neighbor and hints that the world outside the window works differently than it first seems get woven into the game, shifting it from a mere fun toy toward a quiet meditation on loneliness and comfort.

From the makers of World of Goo, the game was received by period reviewers as a clever, short but highly memorable experience that showed how even simple mechanics can carry a deeper theme. On Wii U it also served as proof that the GamePad's second screen could function as a meaningful gameplay element, not just a technical curiosity. Little Inferno is still cited today as one of the best examples of how an indie game can use console hardware differently from big studio titles, and as a short but intense experience it holds up even years later. Precisely because it can be finished in one sitting, it's also recommended to players who normally don't have time for longer puzzle titles.

Why play it: Thanks to its short but highly memorable gameplay and clever use of the GamePad, it's an ideal choice for players who normally don't have time for longer puzzle titles.