The only companion the player has is a dog called Aesop, who can sense danger and fetch supplies. The player must pay attention to Scout's needs such as her energy, thirst, and warmth, and not paying attention to them can result in death. Once the player dies, the death cannot be undone as The Flame in the Flood is a permadeath game. There is a crafting system allowing the player to create new items. Players will also need to scavenge areas for valuable items. Factors such as the weather will impact the gameplay. Players are also able to create insulated clothing to protect them from the cold