Firegirl: Hack 'n Splash Rescue DX

This means, unfortunately, Firegirl: Hack ’n Splash Rescue is still a work in progress. All of the right elements are here, but they’re not coalescing into what should be the optimal firefighting experience. I truly believe there is a great game buried somewhere within the lines of code that brings it all together. We just got to hold onto hope that Dejima Games will be able to find it.

Those seeking a slower-paced action-platformer with a mix of real-time resource management thrown in will adore Firegirl Hack 'n Splash Rescue DX. It's a tough, but fair game and one that feels a lot more fair than the original release thanks to tweaks with the balance and an in-game rewards system. If you're in the mood for a fun, challenging adventure and have an affinity for side-scrolling action, Firegirl Hack 'n Splash Rescue DX is a must-buy.

Firegirl: Hack 'n Splash Rescue DX manages to be an incredibly fun and original action platformer. Now more improved, the game's challenges are demanding and fair, leaving that desire to play “just one more time” with each failure or victory. There's still more variety and fixes for this fire rescue game to be a must-see, but it's certainly a good suggestion for lovers of the genre who also enjoy a roguelite.

Overall though, Firegirl: Hack ‘n Splash Rescue DX is a fun little rogue-like / lite that can easily net you half a dozen hours to complete the main story before sticking around for more. With easy to pick up controls, especially with the PS5’s locking shoulders which makes shooting water that much more precise, if you’ve been looking for a bit of a challenge but not one that will cause you to rage quit, this could be the one for you.

Firegirl: Hack n Splash Rescue DX is fun, but only when you get past a frustrating initial hump. It suffers from balance issues with its progression and economy. It may be a push that many players are unwilling to grind through.

With more time in development and tweaks here and there to its overall design, Firegirl: Hack 'n Splash Rescue DX could really have been something. As things currently stand however, the superb premise, gorgeous visuals and compelling platforming roguelike gameplay all feel stifled under the weight of some really nasty game breaking bugs that make the game almost impossible to play for any decent period of time. A real shame.

Firegirl: Hack 'n Splash Rescue DX is a super-fun and unique game but its frustration factor can be high, especially if you're a perfectionist.

Firegirl: Hack 'n Splash Rescue DX is an imperfect but interesting roguelite on Nintendo Switch. The premise is promising, and it's even entertaining, though performance on the console could be improved. Its length can make certain levels repetitive.

Gameplay is well thought out, but unfortunately not fantastically executed. In addition to extinguishing fires, the story also has little to no depth. That's why Firegirl gets a 4.

Firegirl: Hack 'n Splash Rescue DX is kindling; easily combustible and not much else. A platformer that makes platforming impossible at times. It also wants to borrow from roguelikes and Metroidvanias, but ends up taking all the wrong elements from them. Firegirl feels repetitive well before it should, including a camera that frustrates and leads to cheap deaths. The art of Firegirl is excellent. The 2D-HD made me feel like I was sitting in the living room of my parents house and I was nine years old again. But that's nothing more than smoke and mirrors.