Rocket skates, great combat, and a game that needs more of itself

FIRESTARTERS has a fantastic central idea. Combining an aggressive arena shooter with rocket-powered skating gives the action a personality I really like. The movement is the main attraction, but the way it connects with the weapons is what makes the whole thing interesting. There is a good game here, with enough style and energy to make its limited amount of content particularly frustrating.

My score is 7/10 for the current Early Access version. I like the movement, the combat and the character presentation. What keeps it from a higher score is how narrow the package still feels. The foundation is strong. I want more variety and a more substantial adventure built around it.

Movement that gives the combat its identity

Developed by Studio Kerosene, FIRESTARTERS puts Kera inside STEEL, a brutal competition where prisoners fight for their freedom. The premise gives the violence a setting, but the rocket skates give the game its most distinctive feature.

What I like is that movement has a purpose beyond getting across the arena. Skating, grinding and moving through the air belong to the fighting itself. Positioning becomes something active, and the connection between travelling through a space and attacking makes the action much more appealing than a series of ordinary shootouts.

Speed by itself does not impress me that much. Plenty of games can make everything move faster. I care more about whether the mechanics create an enjoyable rhythm, and that is the strength I appreciate here. The movement gives FIRESTARTERS a clear identity instead of feeling like an extra feature attached to a familiar shooter.

The weapons belong to that rhythm

I like the emphasis on changing weapons and approaches. An arsenal becomes more interesting when its options give me different decisions to make, rather than simply presenting a stronger replacement for whatever came before it.

The combination of movement and aggression is the best part of FIRESTARTERS for me. There is a sense of purpose behind the chaos. The game wants attention, commitment and an understanding of how its different tools fit together. That is a good basis for an arcade shooter.

I still think the presentation of the weapons could communicate their rhythm more clearly. In a game built around speed, the feedback around an attack matters enormously. I want the animations to support the action as clearly as possible, without leaving the player thinking about whether a weapon is ready for the next input. That is an area where more polish would help an already appealing combat system.

Personality outside the fighting

The visual-novel presentation is another part of the identity I appreciate. Character scenes give the game a different texture between the violence, and the contrast makes it feel less anonymous than another collection of arenas full of targets.

I like that there is room for expressive characters, humour and relationships. A demanding action game does not need to strip away everything that is not directly connected to shooting. Those quieter exchanges can give the next confrontation more context and make the world worth caring about.

My reservation is how much remains unfinished. An interesting introduction is still an introduction. I can like the characters and want their story to continue without treating that curiosity as proof that the complete narrative has already delivered.

Intensity needs clarity

I do not think FIRESTARTERS needs to become a relaxed shooter. The pressure belongs to its identity. Taking that away would risk weakening the very thing that makes its movement and combat interesting.

What I want is for the learning process to be as clear as the action is intense. A difficult game should help me understand what needs to change. Good communication does not remove the challenge. It makes improving feel more worthwhile.

The demanding pace also limits who I would recommend it to. If constant pressure and repeated attempts are part of what you enjoy, the design makes sense. If you mainly want to follow a campaign at a comfortable pace, this is a much less straightforward recommendation. The intensity is a strength, but it is also a commitment the player needs to want.

The biggest problem is how little surrounds the foundation

The limited amount of content is my main criticism. Episode One gives the game a beginning, but the narrow selection of environments and the short opening story make the overall package feel small compared with how much potential the mechanics have.

The Arcade mode gives that foundation another purpose through scores and repeated runs. I appreciate that. Returning to improve an encounter can be a meaningful part of the design, especially when the mechanics give the player something worth learning.

I just do not think replaying familiar material fully replaces variety. Mechanical depth and a substantial campaign are different strengths. FIRESTARTERS already has an appealing argument for the first, while the second still needs more room to develop.

That is why I am judging what exists now. More episodes may improve the package considerably, and I hope they do. Promised content cannot carry the score of the current version. I want the environments and progression to give these mechanics more opportunities to stay exciting.

Final verdict

FIRESTARTERS is a good, distinctive arena shooter with movement I really like, an appealing connection between its weapons and traversal, and enough character to stand apart. Its biggest weakness is the limited scope of the current release. The foundation deserves a broader and more varied game around it.

For someone interested in mastering the mechanics and improving scores, there is already a convincing reason to pay attention. For someone looking for a substantial campaign, I would wait for more episodes. I like what FIRESTARTERS is doing, but I want more of it before giving the complete package a stronger recommendation.

Final score: 7/10.

Reviewed on PC. A review key was provided by the company. The score and opinions are my own. This review covers the current Early Access version.

Game information: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3733710/FIRESTARTERS/