Bonfire

Bonfire is an interactive animated adventure from Baobab Studios, Inc.. Rather than watching the short, you are its lead character: Space Scout 817, sent out to find a new home for humanity. It has been on the Meta Horizon Store since May 21, 2019.

How it plays

The story opens with a bad landing. Your flying is not great, and you end up stranded at night on an unknown planet some 300 light-years from Earth. A small fire you build is the only light, and the jungle around it is dark and full of odd sounds.

Your only help is Debbie, a robot sidekick voiced by Ali Wong, who views everything with suspicion. When you run into one of the planet's inhabitants, the mission drifts off plan, and the story turns into one about how a strange first meeting can grow into a friendship. Along the way you interact with the world around you and shape what happens, ending with a choice between following your captain's orders and following your conscience.

Bonfire is a short narrative piece, closer to an interactive animated film than to a long game, which makes it a good fit for a relaxed evening or for showing VR to someone new.

Comfort

Meta rates Bonfire as comfortable for most people. It can be played seated or standing, and it uses controllers.

Platforms and what to know before buying

• Price: $4.99 on the Meta Horizon Store.
• Headsets: Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 3S, Meta Quest Pro and Meta Quest 2, plus the original Meta Quest.
• Internet: not required.
• Ads: no in-app ads.
• Early access: no.
• Language: English.
• Age rating: 7+.