Firewatch
Main game
3.88 average rating based on 3534 ratings
- Developers
- Campo Santo
- Publishers
- Panic
- Event
- PlayStation E3 Experience 2015 Press Conference
- Platforms
- Linux, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Genres
- Adventure, Indie
- Themes
- Drama, Mystery, Open world
- Steam
- View on Steam
Release Dates
User Stats
How Long Is Firewatch?
Related Content
Good game to pass an evening
This review is for the PC (Microsoft Windows) version
It's a pretty good and simple story about broken people, as I got it, of course.
I think it makes almost no sense to write about gameplay, since such games are usually played only for the sake of aesthetics and history, and everything is fine with that. Although I came across a couple of bugs, one of which was with graphics and scared me even a little (GPU go bzzz), but it didn't knock me out of the dive into story.
A great game for the evening, the duration is just the thing to go through once and remember on occasion, like "oh, I have played it, good game"
Firewatch (Xbox SS)
Un walking simulator en el que descubrir una historia en un parque natural. Es bonito y emotivo y lo consigue trasmitir mediante su ambietación y OST. Con un gran trabajo de doblaje consigue mantenerte en suspense, explorando los caminos buscando respuestas.
rykoszet4's review of Firewatch
Great story great gameplay. I really loved how the story was given to me. Feeling of characters was great. The mystery with a bit of darkness gived me chills (in a good way).When I sat to it, I couldn't get up until i finish.
GaryFromLiberty's review of Firewatch
A touching story with likeable and relatable characters just trying to make the best decisions they can in crappy situations. They aren't perfect and they know it.
Great voice acting, great atmosphere building. Short but a good length for the story it is telling, and a fun game to achievement hunt in as well.
4.5 /5 Stars
Thrilling game just to get soaked into.
This review is for the PC (Microsoft Windows) version
A pretty game with an interesting story in a unique setting. The backtracking was annoying in parts, and sometimes a little guidance was needed. The views and atmospheric horror made up for it though. The graphics of the game are simple yet very complex and well made. The whole designing team did an amazing job translating light and full forest into a video game. I was satisfied to walk through it and enjoy the sound of singing birds and the beauty of the sunset through the leaves of many trees that fill up the game.
Lygodesma's review of Firewatch
Firewatch is a hiking simulator with some very beautiful landscapes to explore and sunsets to see. Firewatch transports the serene feeling of being alone in a cabin in the wilds very nicely. There's an instant summer camp nostalgia in its atmosphere. As a walking simulator it's relaxing and very chill, but there's some conspiracy against you going on and I found that rather thrilling. You're talking to a woman called Delilah on your walky talky and there's a lowkey romance going on between you and her and to be honest, that was the most beautiful part of this game. It actually made me fall for her and her beautiful voice a little, because the dialogues came off so natural and the flirting was very subtle and cute.
I'd say Firewatch is a pretty good game, play it if you like relaxed walking simulators.
My first "walking simulator"
This review is for the PC (Microsoft Windows) version
Loved the art and atmosphere, but still don't think I get the point of these games.
Hiking sim?
If there's a "walking sim", then Firewatch is a "hiking sim".
The game is all around exploring the world, reading or ignoring notes, and creating your own story. There are no puzzles whatsoever.
The nice difference from some other games of the same genre is that the story is a bit less open-ended (as far as walking sims go).
Juleske's review of Firewatch
It's been a frustrating week. Due to unforseen circumstances, I have a week at home with hardly anything to do. I was looking for a good puzzle game to really sink my teeth into, maybe some city building or simulation. But I don't have those games in my library. My library is filled with unplayed story games that people have recommended to me over the years. Apparently, I have a reputation in that regard. On top of their recommendation list: Firewatch.
So, with a bit of reluctance I boot up Firewatch and try to see if it's anything.
My first reaction
"Why am I getting these choose your own adventure questions". Is this the whole game?""No no, this is just the setup", says my partner besides me, brimming with enthusiasm that I'm finally playing the game.
Then the game starts. Oh god, it's a walking simulator! The most boring of the story games genre. I start walking.
At least it's pretty.
My second reaction
Hiking in this game is amazing. With the map and …
It's been a frustrating week. Due to unforseen circumstances, I have a week at home with hardly anything to do. I was looking for a good puzzle game to really sink my teeth into, maybe some city building or simulation. But I don't have those games in my library. My library is filled with unplayed story games that people have recommended to me over the years. Apparently, I have a reputation in that regard. On top of their recommendation list: Firewatch.
So, with a bit of reluctance I boot up Firewatch and try to see if it's anything.
My first reaction
"Why am I getting these choose your own adventure questions". Is this the whole game?""No no, this is just the setup", says my partner besides me, brimming with enthusiasm that I'm finally playing the game.
Then the game starts. Oh god, it's a walking simulator! The most boring of the story games genre. I start walking.
At least it's pretty.
My second reaction
Hiking in this game is amazing. With the map and the compass I only get lost half of the time. This game is making me want to go out and hike. And I have a camera! I get lost all over again taking pictures of my favorite sites - and getting frustrated because on camera they don't look as good as in "real life".
It's wonderful to start getting a feeling for the forest, becoming more and more accustomed to it's shapes and winding paths. It becomes a bit like home. Just like it should.
My third reaction
By now I am heavily invested in the game and all of the strange events that are happening. I am nervous, I am paranoid. I feel vulnerable out alone in the forest. I'm both very suspicious of everyone, and desperate to trust someone. It is glorious and makes every step through the forest thrilling. I love it.
My final reaction
The end was rather quick and, to many, unsatisfying. I'm quite okay with that. I'm okay with never really knowing the full story with everything neatly tied up in a bow. The best part of the game was how it made me feel, hiking along in the forest by myself. How it make a walking simulator exciting by charging it up with emotions and strange events. This is a well made game.
picklestar's review of Firewatch
Thanks to a 40C degree day I finally got the chance to knock this one off my Steam Pile of Shame.
FIREWATCH is essentially a point and click adventure, where you play as Henry, a man who has taken a job at an isolotated Firewatch Tower in an attempt to run away from his past. Rather than a peaceful summer alone with his our thoughts, what unfolds instead is a steadily building mystery unfolding with no one but Deliah, a fellow firewatcher pn the other side of the radio for company.
This game is a slow burn, but a good one. Despite the high likelihood of getting lost in the forest and walking around in circles, the beautiful setting and short length of game is more than enough to pull you through the slow walk/talk mechanics, if the story isn't enough to get you through.
disappointing
Considering all the hype, rather disappointing. Not a terrible game, just not outstanding in any way..
A good weekend in the woods
First off, SPOILERS!
I played this on a PS4 and it took me about 5 hours over a weekend.
From the very beginning I could tell this game was going to be different, I was holding back tears before the title "Firewatch" even appeared. The first few moments of the game walk you through your (Henry's) backstory and give simple choices about how you react in your past. After that you then find yourself in the Wyoming wilderness having taken a summer job as a lookout. In your lookout tower you pick up a radio and on the other end is Delilah, your boss and veteran lookout. Delilah is really the only person you can interact with but she is all you need. Talking with Delilah is the best part about this experience, no matter how you decide to interact (you can choose to be rude, sarcastic, walled off...) she will respond in a very believable, human way. I almost forgot I was playing a game, instead I was talking to a friend.
So the next morning, your first day, Delilah gives you a task to check on some damn teens causing trouble at the nearby lake, which will send …
First off, SPOILERS!
I played this on a PS4 and it took me about 5 hours over a weekend.
From the very beginning I could tell this game was going to be different, I was holding back tears before the title "Firewatch" even appeared. The first few moments of the game walk you through your (Henry's) backstory and give simple choices about how you react in your past. After that you then find yourself in the Wyoming wilderness having taken a summer job as a lookout. In your lookout tower you pick up a radio and on the other end is Delilah, your boss and veteran lookout. Delilah is really the only person you can interact with but she is all you need. Talking with Delilah is the best part about this experience, no matter how you decide to interact (you can choose to be rude, sarcastic, walled off...) she will respond in a very believable, human way. I almost forgot I was playing a game, instead I was talking to a friend.
So the next morning, your first day, Delilah gives you a task to check on some damn teens causing trouble at the nearby lake, which will send you out into the beautiful wilderness. You get a compass, a map and a destination and you need to find your way. It is easy to navigate because this isn't truly an open world, rather a bunch of paths connected together. The surrounding get a mention here because they are spectacular. The art style is cell shaded-ish and the colors of the forest pop no matter if it is morning or night. I always found myself stopping to look at the beautiful landscape. After checking on the teens you will finish you first day on the job (days are sometimes skipped to show that time has passed and advance the story). On your second day things will get stranger and I won't give any more away but you will want to keep playing. Over the course of the game you will explore more of the Wyoming wilderness but exploration off the path is only rewarded by little trinkets which I didn't see as worthwhile. You discover more about the mystery and Delilah, which leads to some very tense moments.
Sadly it is time for me to talk about the not great things. Looking around the area my frame rate would dip far more often than I would expect from a PS4 game, especially because Henry isn't really fast. It took me out of what should be a very immersive experience with amazing voice acting and beautiful scenery. The ending is what really got to me, it was so underwhelming and made me feel like I shouldn't recommend this game to friends. The story up until the ending was fantastic, it did such a great job of building suspense and intrigue I was preparing myself for a fantastic ending that would be just as great as the story so far but I was ultimately let down.
I had a difficult time coming up with a rating for this game. I like to stick with the 5 star rating system because there is a real difference between a good and great game (1=bad, 2=meh, 3=good, 4=great, 5=amazing/fantastic). At the end of the day I would call this a good game. I had a lot of fun playing it and the visuals and acting were top notch but the performance issues and the ending were just not great and unexpected. It is a short game and I would recommended it.
3/5
-dreese
agersant's review of Firewatch
- Great atmosphere
- Good dialog and characters
- Sweet music and environment art
- Story pacing is a bit off
~Tension Building~
Firewatch’s first quarter and third quarter are really good, the introduction of the setting and the mounting of suspense is done really well. I’m usually impatient while playing games, but I actually navigated the forest using a map and compass, for what that’s worth. Most of the time, the game is good about not making you backtrack (but, unfortunately, there are times where you have to cross the entire map and basically nothing happens). The game occurs over a whole summer, but you only see glimpses of a few days, which allows for the rapid relationship growth between the player character and Delilah be okay (however it’s still a bit jarring to the player). The second quarter has you do everyday tasks, which aren’t that interesting. Sure it sparks more conversation with Delilah, but there could be a minor subplot there to keep something going.
[Ending discussion follows]
Firewatch’s first quarter and third quarter are really good, the introduction of the setting and the mounting of suspense is done really well. I’m usually impatient while playing games, but I actually navigated the forest using a map and compass, for what that’s worth. Most of the time, the game is good about not making you backtrack (but, unfortunately, there are times where you have to cross the entire map and basically nothing happens). The game occurs over a whole summer, but you only see glimpses of a few days, which allows for the rapid relationship growth between the player character and Delilah be okay (however it’s still a bit jarring to the player). The second quarter has you do everyday tasks, which aren’t that interesting. Sure it sparks more conversation with Delilah, but there could be a minor subplot there to keep something going.
[Ending discussion follows]
Oh, there’s also maybe (= I hope so) a Look Around You reference where Delilah says “thanks, Hank” and then suggests “thanks” rhymes with “Hank.”
I mean like, it's a fine walking simulator. The story at first is decent, but then in the end I feel like it doesn't super deliver (which is what like every review says). I don't think it's a bad ending, but just dissapointing. In the end, it's like a 4 hour walking simulator that has some nice character interactions between the main two. Light 6/10
What a fantastic game; I couldn't put it down. The opening text based narrative somewhat turned me off as it got dark very fast and the presentation was so minimalistic. But once the game got going and I was able to wander about the forest it was so engrossing. The environmental audio was the star of this. Relaxing at most points. Tense at other moments. It even creeped me out at certain points since you could hear the various sounds of the movement in the forest but never seen anything. This is so in tune with many hikes I have taken in the wilderness where you see signs of creatures but rarely the creatures themselves.
It's a pretty good and simple story about broken people, as I got it, of course.
I think it makes almost no sense to write about gameplay, since such games are usually played only for the sake of aesthetics and history, and everything is fine with that. Although I came across a couple of bugs, one of which was with graphics and scared me even a little (GPU go bzzz), but it didn't knock me out of the dive into story.
A great game for the evening, the duration is just the thing to go through once and remember on occasion, like "oh, I have played it, good game"
I finished the first day. I'm not sure what kind of game it is. Can I relax or should I be wary of a bear attack? I like to look at the scenery in the distance. I didn't feel encouraged to explore yet, I was just following the trail.
Rare that I finish a game. Haha. Loved the voice acting.
I was really hoping that I would like this more, but perhaps I had built it up in my mind a little too much. (Although, I knew nothing about the plot and just went in blind.) It was a little sadder than I thought, and I didn't like or trust Delilah until the end. The mystery was ok, but was a tad hard to follow over multiple play sessions. I also didn't really like the ending I felt like not everything was wrapped up the way I would have liked it too (but maybe that was my ending?) a Also, for the console version of this the controller mapping was awful and frustrated me to no end.
I think this game had some potential to be better than my experience. Just when I thought it was heading in the direction of "Really Good", I feel like it avoided the direction I was trying to take it, and the direction I thought it was going. Spoilers I assumed that Henry and Delilah were to be together. That they would be drawn together, even by there separated inseparableness... that was not the case. I feel I made all the right choices to bring them together, but I don't think there was ever a way to do so? I believe the story was never intended for them to actually meet. All characters were faceless until the ending credits, where they gave faces only to the father and son. Which, from what I can remember, were not really the focal point of the story? It seemed to me, that the "party girls" were more of focal point of the main story line. Then the father and son were the "twist"... but my only interaction with them was at the end of the game. So, while I found the story to lead me to a climactic end, either with the girls, or …
Read MoreI think this game had some potential to be better than my experience. Just when I thought it was heading in the direction of "Really Good", I feel like it avoided the direction I was trying to take it, and the direction I thought it was going. Spoilers I assumed that Henry and Delilah were to be together. That they would be drawn together, even by there separated inseparableness... that was not the case. I feel I made all the right choices to bring them together, but I don't think there was ever a way to do so? I believe the story was never intended for them to actually meet. All characters were faceless until the ending credits, where they gave faces only to the father and son. Which, from what I can remember, were not really the focal point of the story? It seemed to me, that the "party girls" were more of focal point of the main story line. Then the father and son were the "twist"... but my only interaction with them was at the end of the game. So, while I found the story to lead me to a climactic end, either with the girls, or with Delilah, I was left with my only conclusions of the father and his lost son. The girls and "the girl" all escape alive... Not cool. I feel like my investment into the characters at hand, were lost. Conclusion: A lot of potential, really liked the track we were going on. Great storytelling, up until the Not so great plot twist. Which left me with characters that I didn't really give a rats a** about.
Read Less
Ok, question for those who've played this:
Is navigation hard/clunky/confusing in this game? If i got lost in Outer Wilds, will i get lost here?
This is €2 on Steam right now and i was about to buy it until i read about the map + compass being impractical so i'm not sure now.
Firewatch Game Review
Firewatch is an immersive narrative-driven adventure game that captivates players with its unique atmosphere and engaging storytelling. Set in the picturesque wilderness of Wyoming, the game takes you on a journey as Henry, a fire lookout stationed in the Shoshone National Forest. Here's a detailed review of Firewatch, highlighting its strengths and notable aspects:
- Engaging Storyline:
Firewatch excels in its storytelling. The game presents a compelling mystery that unfolds gradually, keeping players hooked from start to finish. The narrative explores themes of isolation, personal relationships, and the weight of choices, creating a deep emotional connection with the characters and their struggles.
- Beautiful Visual Design:
The game's visual design is breathtaking. The stylized art direction beautifully captures the serene yet haunting beauty of the wilderness. The vibrant colors and detailed environments make exploration a visually rewarding experience, immersing you in the vastness of the forest and its hidden secrets.
- Atmospheric Sound Design:
Firewatch boasts an exceptional sound design that enhances the immersive experience. From the rustling leaves to the distant sounds of nature, the audio creates a sense of realism and contributes to the game's atmospheric ambiance. The superb voice acting further brings the characters to life, adding …
Firewatch Game Review
Firewatch is an immersive narrative-driven adventure game that captivates players with its unique atmosphere and engaging storytelling. Set in the picturesque wilderness of Wyoming, the game takes you on a journey as Henry, a fire lookout stationed in the Shoshone National Forest. Here's a detailed review of Firewatch, highlighting its strengths and notable aspects:
- Engaging Storyline:
Firewatch excels in its storytelling. The game presents a compelling mystery that unfolds gradually, keeping players hooked from start to finish. The narrative explores themes of isolation, personal relationships, and the weight of choices, creating a deep emotional connection with the characters and their struggles.
- Beautiful Visual Design:
The game's visual design is breathtaking. The stylized art direction beautifully captures the serene yet haunting beauty of the wilderness. The vibrant colors and detailed environments make exploration a visually rewarding experience, immersing you in the vastness of the forest and its hidden secrets.
- Atmospheric Sound Design:
Firewatch boasts an exceptional sound design that enhances the immersive experience. From the rustling leaves to the distant sounds of nature, the audio creates a sense of realism and contributes to the game's atmospheric ambiance. The superb voice acting further brings the characters to life, adding depth to their personalities and interactions.
- Choice and Consequence:
The game offers a branching narrative that responds to your choices, providing a sense of agency and influencing the outcome of the story. Dialogues and decisions you make throughout the game shape the relationship between Henry and his supervisor, Delilah, leading to different emotional outcomes and story paths. This element of choice adds replay value and encourages exploration of different story branches.
- Exploration and Environmental Detail:
Firewatch encourages exploration of its richly detailed environment. As you navigate through the forest, you'll come across hidden trails, breathtaking vistas, and intriguing landmarks. The attention to detail in the environmental design makes the world feel alive and invites players to unravel its mysteries at their own pace.
- Emotional Depth:
One of the game's strengths lies in its ability to evoke genuine emotions. The writing and character development create a sense of empathy, making you care about the fate of the characters and their personal struggles. Firewatch's narrative tackles complex themes and delivers an emotional experience that lingers long after the game is over.
While Firewatch excels in many aspects, there are a few areas where it falls slightly short:
- Gameplay Mechanics:
The gameplay mechanics are relatively simple, primarily focused on exploration and interacting with the environment. Some players may desire more varied and challenging gameplay elements to complement the strong narrative experience.
- Pacing:
At times, the game's pacing may feel slow, emphasizing the solitude and contemplative nature of being a fire lookout. While this contributes to the game's atmospheric tone, it may not appeal to players seeking fast-paced action or constant excitement.
In summary, Firewatch is a compelling and emotionally-driven adventure game that immerses players in a captivating story set in a stunning wilderness. Its engaging narrative, beautiful visuals, atmospheric sound design, and meaningful choices make it a standout experience. With its few minor shortcomings in gameplay mechanics and pacing, Firewatch still manages to deliver a memorable and thought-provoking journey worth undertaking.
Rating: 4 stars.
Short and sweet game. Going in blind, was not what I was expecting. The narrator was a jackass but the game makes you think.
I was expecting a whole lot more from this. From the opening text base gameplay, I was hoping the reminder would be more emotional. Plus I was hoping for multiple endings.
Overall, not too bad.
Completed on PC. Great voice acting, graphics and narrative, but the ending kind of sucks: I was completely immersed halfway through but the explanation of the mistery felt disappointing.
You should give Firewatch a try, maybe you enjoy it more than I did.
