The game originally known as Dante’s Ring is getting a new title, ‘Into the Fire.’ Pitched as an extraction survival game, Into the Fire has players live on an island with an erupting volcano for 30 days as they try to extract and save people and animals. Along with the name change, developers Starward Industries released an extended gameplay trailer. Let’s take a look.
The gameplay trailer shows off the gameplay hub, traveling using a strange helicraft, using ziplines, and navigating this hellish landscape. We see a player busting open windows, fighting fire with water, and hearing the screams of someone stuck in the fire. I’m seeing a lot of talk about survival mechanics but truthfully, there’s a fair amount of horror here. A non-trivial portion of Into the Fire appears to be a focus on myths and island folklore that permeates the area. In the trailer, we even see a strange fire creature crawling on the wall, entering the basement, and exploding in fire. Brutal.
In the 90s, we had a few crazy volcano movies come out that were horrifying to a child like me. Both Volcano and Dante’s Peak gave me, a suburban white kid in Chicagoland, a deathly fear of volcanos. Seeing the gameplay footage from Into the Fire gave me a pretty strong panic response, especially when the player knocks out the window and you hear the screaming of the woman trapped in the building. Granted, the video is fairly short for an “extended gameplay” video at only 2 minutes long, but it’s a lot to sit in that heightened state of anxiety. I get the feeling the Safdie brothers would like this game.
Some of the equipment used in the video is very video gamey stuff that looks like it wouldn’t work in real life. Like the fire extinguisher grenade or the water shotgun, kind of goofy stuff. But the main conceit, being on an island with an active volcano and working to save the lives of people stuck there, is a very human experience in the sense that when it comes to natural disasters, humans have consistently come together to help others.
Maciej Dobrowolski, CMO of Starward Industries had this to say about the name change:
We firmly believe that the new title conveys more about the gameplay and the atmosphere present in the game and that it will ignite your hearts even more. The hypnotic, raw power of the volcano will lead you straight Into the Fire.
Into the Fire Key Features
- High-Stakes Rescue Gameplay – Feel the rush of being a first responder in an unfolding catastrophe, where every second counts and every choice has consequences.
- Innovative Firefighting Arsenal – Wield unique tools like a suppression pistol, extinguishing shotgun, and fire bomb launcher to battle flames and carve paths to safety.
- Dynamic Disaster Environment – Face an ever-changing volcanic landscape where collapsing terrain, ash storms, and unpredictable eruptions force constant adaptation.
- The Hub: A Living Base – More than just a shelter, the Hub is your strategic nerve center—plan rescues, gather intel, upgrade your arsenal, and uncover the island’s darkest secrets.
- Traversal & Mobility Focus – Use rope systems, retro sleds, and other tools to navigate treacherous terrain and reach those in need before time runs out.
- Survival Through Strategy – Read seismographs, manage resources, and make tactical decisions to stay one step ahead of both natural and supernatural threats.
- Fantastical Retro-Inspired Gadgets – Inspired by pioneering volcanologists, use experimental gear like fireproof shields and acid-resistant boats to survive the inferno.
- Mystery & Myth Collide – As you fight to save lives, uncover an ancient force beyond science and face the eerie adversaries lurking within the chaos.
- Time as a Resource – Disaster is relentless—prioritize, act fast, and make sacrifices to ensure the survival of as many as possible.
- Inspired by Ryszard Kapuściński’s famous books.
Combining action, survival, and arcade elements, Into the Fire will have you braving the fury of nature as you face volcanic demons on Dante’s Archipelago. Armed with fantastic retro inventions and firefighting weapons, you will need to combat a deadly disaster and extract as many lives as possible in a time-pressing run for survival. Discover fiery myths, unexplained phenomena, and mysterious relics lurking within the inferno. Challenge the world of fire and ash—upgrade your gear, expand your base, and take part in dark rituals as you fight against the volcano’s wrath. Once its breath reaches you, every second counts.
There is no official release date set for Into the Fire but Starward Industries is aiming for a 2026 release with the intent to release the game into Steam Early Access soon. Keep an eye on our front page as we continue to provide coverage of Into the Fire and more from Starward Industries.
