What it is
Ash Islands is a browser-based fire-spreading simulation where you throw a single match onto a paper island and watch how much of it burns. Ash collected from burnt land is spent on upgrades, and burning an entire island earns Gold toward unlocking the next one. It placed 1st out of 76 entries in the Defold Game Jam 2026 and is currently in development.
From the developer
In the developer’s own words, from estelgames.itch.io.
You get one match . Pick a spot, throw it, and see how much of the island burns.
The fire won't reach everything at first. Whatever burns earns Ash , and Ash buys upgrades: fire that jumps roads, flying embers, bigger explosions, and little fire imps that run off to light what you missed.
Burn the whole island for Gold to unlock the next one. There are five.
Read more
Online Duel
Create a room and send a friend the code.
You both pick a starting spot on the same island, the matches drop at the same time, and your fires fight over the same fuel. The player with more Ash wins.
You can play a bot while you wait for your friend.
Controls
Click: throw the match
Mouse wheel: zoom
Drag/WASD/Arrows: move the view
Space: change speed
P/ESC: pause
R: restart
Fullscreen recommended. Your progress is saved in the browser.
Editor takes
“The ash-for-upgrades loop and five-island ladder give the numbers a tidy hook, but a few-minute session and in-development status keep the long-term progression from really igniting.”
“One button, one match, whole islands to burn—that's a jam-winning idea executed with polish, though as an in-development game it's still a spark rather than a full bonfire.”
How to play
Click to throw the match at a spot on the island, then watch the fire spread. Whatever burns earns Ash, which can be spent on upgrades like embers, explosions, and fire imps that help reach areas the fire missed. Burn the whole island to earn Gold and unlock the next island.
Tips
- Choose your starting spot carefully, since you only get one match.
- Use upgrades that spread fire across roads and other gaps to keep the burn moving.
- Flying embers are useful for reaching parts of the island the main fire can't get to.
- Fire imps can light areas you missed, so check the map for leftover sections before spending Ash elsewhere.
- Use the speed change and zoom controls to watch the spread more efficiently on larger islands.
Questions
Is Ash Islands free?
Yes, it is free to play on itch.io.
Does the game run in a browser?
Yes, it is an HTML5 game and can be played directly in a browser. Fullscreen is recommended, and progress is saved in the browser.
How long does a session take?
The average session is a few minutes, making it a quick casual play.
Is there multiplayer?
Yes, there is an online duel mode where you can create a room, share the code with a friend, and both burn the same island at the same time. You can also play against a bot while waiting.
Is the game finished?
Not yet; the developer lists it as in development.
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