Kill It with Fire

Lore & Background

Kill It with Fire was initially revealed on April 28, 2020 and released on Steam on August 13, 2020. A port to PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and mobile devices was announced on February 19, 2021 and released on March 4, 2021. The game was followed by a VR port on April 13, 2023. A sequel was announced on June 11, 2023, entered early access on April 16, 2024, and was released on November 25, 2025 for Steam, Xbox One, and PlayStation 5, with a Nintendo Switch release on May 7, 2026.

The gameplay is similar to a first-person shooter. The player controls an exterminator who must eliminate every spider hidden throughout nine levels. Each level has a set number of spiders hidden underneath objects, and doors blocking certain areas and the exit require a certain number of spiders killed to open. The player starts with a clipboard as a weapon but can find additional weapons hidden throughout the game, including shotguns, molotov cocktails, a frying pan, and throwing stars. Each level also has optional objectives, some unrelated to killing spiders, which reward upgrades between levels. Completing every objective in a level unlocks "Spider gauntlets," additional challenges that alter the game's final level. Different types of spiders appear, such as explosive spiders, spiders that spawn smaller ones upon death, and spiders that shoot webbing at the player's screen.

Reader's Guide

Kill It with Fire occupies a niche as a simulation game that blends first-person shooter mechanics with pest-control objectives. Its significance lies in its absurd premise—using increasingly ridiculous weapons against a common household fear—which critics widely praised. The game's art direction and sound design were highlighted as strengths, with Push Square noting the sound design and Nintendo Life enjoying how spiders were depicted. However, the game's controls and length drew consistent criticism across reviews. Jupiter Hadley of Pocket Gamer gave it 4 of 5 stars, praising the premise and optional objectives but critiquing the controls. Multiplayer.it gave 7/10, citing the art style, concept, and setting while disliking performance and controls. Push Square also gave 7/10, highlighting sound design but criticizing short length. Nintendo Life gave 6/10, disliking controls and perceived repetitiveness but enjoying spider depiction and gameplay. Steven Green of Nintendo World Report gave 6.5/10, stating it was extremely fun but lacked content and variety. Shacknews gave 3/10, calling the experience bland and criticizing dubious game design. OpenCritic determined 51% of critics recommended the game. The game's legacy includes a VR port and a sequel that expanded to multiple platforms, indicating sustained interest in the concept despite mixed critical reception.

Did You Know?

• The game's title is stylised as KILL IT WITH FIRE.
• Completing every optional objective in a level unlocks 'Spider gauntlets' that alter the final level.