Flinthook

{{Short description|2017 video game}} {{Use American English|date=June 2016}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2016}} {{Infobox video game | title = Flinthook | image = Flinthook logo transparent large.png | developer = [[Tribute Games]] | publisher = Tribute Games{{efn|Physical version for [[PlayStation 4]] distributed by [[Limited Run Games]].}} | designer = {{ubl|Dominique Ferland|Marion Esquian}} | programmer = {{ubl|Andrew G. Crowell|Michael Larouche|Jean‑François Major|François Masse}} | artist = Stéphane Boutin<br>Johan Vinet | writer = Yannick Belzil | composer = Patrice Bourgeault | platforms = {{ubl|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[Linux]]|[[macOS]]|[[Windows]]|[[Xbox One]]|[[Nintendo Switch]]}} | released = {{ubl|'''PlayStation 4'''|April 14, 2017|'''Linux, macOS, Windows, Xbox One'''|April 18, 2017|'''Nintendo Switch'''<br/>March 9, 2018}} | genre = [[Platform game|Platform]], [[roguelike]] | modes = [[Single-player]] }}

'''''Flinthook''''' is [[platform game]] [[roguelike]] by [[Tribute Games]] in which the player's character uses a [[grappling hook]] to traverse [[procedurally generated]] spaceships for treasure. The developers were inspired by "rogue-lites" including ''[[Spelunky]]'' and ''[[Rogue Legacy]]''. They said that the grappling hook [[game mechanic]] was their hardest design challenge. The game was released in April 2017 for [[Windows]], [[macOS]], [[Linux]], [[PlayStation 4]], and [[Xbox One]], followed by a release for [[Nintendo Switch]] in March 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-03-09 |title=Flinthook for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Game Details |url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/flinthook-switch/ |access-date=2019-05-09 |website=[[Nintendo]] |archive-date=May 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509202111/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/flinthook-switch/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Early previews of ''Flinthook'' noted the accessibility and tightness of the controls. ''[[Digital Trends]]'' and ''[[Kotaku]]'' listed the game among the best in show at the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo 2016|June 2016 Electronic Entertainment Expo]].

== Gameplay ==

{{Multiple image | direction = vertical | width = 250 | image1 = Flinthook early gameplay.webm | image2 = Flinthook screenshot - Pax worm.png | footer = Video and screenshot of gameplay }}

''Flinthook'' is a roguelike platform game<ref name="Polygon: first" /> in which the player controls a masked space pirate who explores [[procedurally generated]] ships for treasure<ref name="Digital Trends: best" /> with a [[grappling hook|grappling]] chain hook. Captain Flinthook, the player-character, also has a plasma gun and the ability to slow time. The hook is used on environmental elements as well as enemies. For example, some enemies are invulnerable until the player removes their armor via the hook.<ref name="Polygon: first" /> The player uses the left [[analog stick]] to both control the player and aim the hook. The hook is activated via the controller's trigger, and face buttons make the character jump, shoot, throw bombs and interact with nearby objects.<ref name="Polygon: first" /> The game's [[level design]] and room contents are randomly generated, such that a room might look familiar but contain different enemies. The player unlocks different bounties to hunt down, and must start a chapter over from the beginning upon their character's death.<ref name="Polygon: first" /> The game is depicted in [[pixel art]].<ref name="Hardcore Gamer: reveal"/>

== Development ==

[[Tribute Games]] is an [[indie development studio]] based in [[Montreal]] that previously worked on ''[[Mercenary Kings]]''.<ref name="Polygon: first" /> In November 2015, the game's designer, Dominique Ferland, polled his contacts on Twitter about their interest in "Spiderman with a gun" as a game concept. Tribute Games co-founder Jean-François Major said that perfecting the feel of the grappling hook was the team's hardest challenge.<ref name="Polygon: first" /> The game was inspired by other "rogue-lite" games, such as ''[[Spelunky]]'' and ''[[Rogue Legacy]]'', though the team did not design their game to be exceptionally difficult for all players.<ref name="Polygon: first" /> Less than a month after the release of ''Ninja Senki DX'',<ref name="Hardcore Gamer: reveal"/> Tribute announced ''Flinthook'' in March 2016 with a mosaic teaser on [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]]. The game's procedural generation was working in the office [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] version of the game at the time of announcement, though their demo used a predetermined [[Level (video gaming)|level]].<ref name="Polygon: first" /> [[Limited Run Games]] released a physical edition of the game for PlayStation 4 on April 14, 2017, with a production run of 4,500 copies.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-03-22 |title=Flinthook is zipping onto PS4 in PHYSICAL COPY on APRIL 14th, courtesy of Limited Run Games ! |url=http://blog.tributegames.com/post/158704825266/flinthook-is-zipping-onto-ps4-in-physical-copy-on |access-date=2017-03-22 |website=Tribute Games Blog |language=en}}</ref> A digital version published by Tribute Games released for Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on April 18, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petite |first=Stephen |date=March 8, 2017 |title=Highly anticipated indie 'Flinthook' hits PS4, Xbox One, and PC on April 18 k |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/flinthook-release-date/ |access-date=4 May 2017 |website=[[Digital Trends]] |archive-date=March 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310155610/http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/flinthook-release-date/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A digital version for Nintendo Switch was released on March 9, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vogel |first=Mitch |date=2018-03-02 |title=Flinthook Releases on the Switch eShop on 9th March |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/03/flinthook_releases_on_the_switch_eshop_on_9th_march |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=September 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250913172313/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/03/flinthook_releases_on_the_switch_eshop_on_9th_march |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Reception == {{Video game reviews | MC = PS4: 76/100<ref name="Metacritic">{{Cite web |title=Flinthook Critic Reviews for PlayStation 4 |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/flinthook/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421004419/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/flinthook/critic-reviews |archive-date=April 21, 2017 |access-date=May 26, 2017 |website=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref> | Destruct = 8.5/10<ref name="Destructoid review">{{Cite web |last1=Whitaker |first1=Jed |title=Review: Flinthook |work=[[Destructoid]] |date=2017-04-18 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-flinthook-431806.phtml |access-date=2017-04-20 |archive-date=April 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420234523/https://www.destructoid.com/review-flinthook-431806.phtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> | DT = 3.5/5<ref>{{cite web|last=Fulton|first=Will|date=August 23, 2019|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/flinthook-review/|title='Flinthook' review|website=[[Digital Trends]]|access-date=September 6, 2024}}</ref> | GI = 7.5/10<ref name="GI review">{{Cite magazine |last=Vazquez |first=Suriel |date=2017-04-18 |title=Flinthook Review – By Hook As A Crook |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/flinthook/b/playstation4/archive/2017/04/18/flinthook-review.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420175713/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/flinthook/b/playstation4/archive/2017/04/18/flinthook-review.aspx |url-status=live |archive-date=April 20, 2017 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |access-date=2017-04-20}}</ref> | NWR = 8/10<ref>{{cite web|last=Ronaghan|first=Neal|date=March 9, 2018|url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/46666/flinthook-switch-review|title=Flinthook (Switch) Review|website=Nintendo World Report|access-date=September 6, 2024}}</ref> | PCGUS = 79%<ref name="PCG review">{{Cite web |last=Prescott |first=Shaun |date=12 May 2017 |title=Flinthook review |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/flinthook-review/ |website=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=May 31, 2017 |archive-date=June 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603133016/http://www.pcgamer.com/flinthook-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> }}

''Digital Trends'' listed the game among the best in show at the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo 2016|June 2016 Electronic Entertainment Expo]] and added that though many major games were adding grappling hook features, ''Flinthook'' was the only one to support a whole game based on the concept. The website praised the game's "imaginative artwork and refined, fun gameplay".<ref name="Digital Trends: best" /> Nick Robinson (''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'') wrote that the game's controls were "enormously intuitive", easily accessible, and comfortable.<ref name="Polygon: first" />

The game received "generally favorable" reviews, according to video game [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]].<ref name=Metacritic/> ''Rock, Paper, Shotgun'' included it among the year's best action games.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Adam |title=Wot I Think: Flinthook |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/05/02/flinthook-review/ |website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |date=2 May 2017 |archive-date=May 4, 2017 |access-date=May 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504002412/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/05/02/flinthook-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Notes== {{notelist}}

== References ==

<ref name="Digital Trends: best">{{Cite web |date=2016-06-16 |title=Digital Trends Top Games of E3 2016 |url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/top-games-of-e3-2016/ |access-date=2016-06-18 |website=[[Digital Trends]] |archive-date=June 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618083612/http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/top-games-of-e3-2016/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Hardcore Gamer: reveal">{{Cite web |last1=LeClair |first1=Kyle |title=Tribute Games Reveals New Game Flinthook Via Twitch |work=Hardcore Gamer |date=2016-03-09 |url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/03/09/tribute-games-reveals-new-game-flinthook-via-twitch/197115/ |access-date=2016-06-18 |archive-date=May 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514042444/http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/03/09/tribute-games-reveals-new-game-flinthook-via-twitch/197115/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Polygon: first">{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Nick |date=2016-03-24 |title=First gameplay from Flinthook, a grappling hook rogue-lite from Tribute Games |url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/3/24/11299012/flinthook-tribute-games-gameplay-hands-on-video-reveal |access-date=2016-06-18 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |archive-date=June 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619040320/http://www.polygon.com/2016/3/24/11299012/flinthook-tribute-games-gameplay-hands-on-video-reveal |url-status=live }}</ref>

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== External links ==

* {{official website}} {{Commons category-inline}}

[[Category:2017 video games]] [[Category:Indie games]] [[Category:Nintendo Switch games]] [[Category:Platformers]] [[Category:PlayStation 4 games]] [[Category:Roguelike video games]] [[Category:Single-player video games]] [[Category:Tribute Games games]] [[Category:Video games about pirates]] [[Category:Video games developed in Canada]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:Xbox One games]]