Firewatch

 PC
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 1504 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 922 out of 1504
  2. Mixed: 361 out of 1504
  3. Negative: 221 out of 1504

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  1. Feeder16
    Feb 10, 2016
    5
    Summary
    Art - Amazing
    Voice Acting - Amazing Story - Average Game length - 4 hours (would be 2 1/2 if there wasn't loads of days where it makes you go back an forth) Ultimately I was disappointed with the game, the story starts so incredibly and then just deteriorates into insignificance. Only paid £15 but feel slightly overcharged. Was looking forward to Firewatch for months    Summary
    Art - Amazing
    Voice Acting - Amazing
    Story - Average
    Game length - 4 hours (would be 2 1/2 if there wasn't loads of days where it makes you go back an forth)

    Ultimately I was disappointed with the game, the story starts so incredibly and then just deteriorates into insignificance.

    Only paid £15 but feel slightly overcharged.

    Was looking forward to Firewatch for months and I'm the end feel disappointed.    … Expand
  2. rbeach77
    Feb 10, 2016
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. What a beautiful game, with an incredible start and a total cop out of an ending. What I want to know is did the critics who gave it stella reviews actually play the flipping thing to the end?

    anyway.. disappointing.    … Expand
  3. ShodanSpectre
    Jul 6, 2017
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's a rather short game, which came as no surprise to me. About 6 hours and that's with me being explorative and often deviating to explore the game world and try to "cheat" the system by i.e. finding a way around some area when the game (rather, Delilah) - tells me to go through a cave. The game has a bit of expectations for that and there are dialogues for situations that can only happen if you are explorative (vs. just following the main quest).

    These dialogues and side deviations don't affect the main story though. The main story is quite unpredictable and certainly not stereotypical. On a few occasions - it kept me on my toes awaiting something epic or dangerous to be around the corner. Without introducing any stereotypical horror game elements, it creates an atmosphere of "umm... I have a _REALLY_ bad feeling about this... Not exactly sure why though... So I'm gonna say that I'm OK and will go ahead anyway."

    The game is for a very mature audience. This game is filled with dialogue and situations that teenagers just won't get. At times it gets so realistic that it's almost painful.

    It kind of shows how horrifying our real world can be... without any fantasy monsters, alien invaders, zombie apocalypse or secret societies...
    Just laws of nature, probability theory, human error followed by human weakness/fear of facing consequences... And so many lives can be ruined.

    It's more of a story than a game though. Looking back I remember playing it more like watching a movie. Just follow the story line and watch it unfold. You can try to explore a bit and you'll find a handful of one-off dialogues and items here and there that are nice but don't really matter. All points it gets are for the story, because it has pretty much nothing else. But the story is quite decent.    … Expand
  4. Lenluig
    Jan 1, 2018
    7
    I look back on that game with very mixed feelings.

    Gameplay is not great at all, it does feel like a hiking simulator but the narrative is very good, very mature and totally the kind of experience I was expecting/looking for despite the insanely frustrating ending that kind of ruined it all for me. The voice acting is excellent. The opening feels a bit too much on a budget but it    I look back on that game with very mixed feelings.

    Gameplay is not great at all, it does feel like a hiking simulator but the narrative is very good, very mature and totally the kind of experience I was expecting/looking for despite the insanely frustrating ending that kind of ruined it all for me.
    The voice acting is excellent.

    The opening feels a bit too much on a budget but it gets better as you go through.

    Technically speaking I think the game could have been pushed a bit more. Some environments were barely achieved and quite unoptimized.

    To summarize it was good, but could have been immensely better.    … Expand
  5. bdurmaz
    Apr 29, 2017
    7
    A really unique game. The art direction is magnificent, plot development and the tension level is really well structured. I personally had fun playing it.

    But the negative reviews have right too, the game is too short and you barely have any interaction with your surroundings. If only it was longer and more detailed, it could have been a solid 8.
  6. risingpheonix
    Jul 3, 2017
    7
    Okay so this a adventure game that is just beautiful ... every scene in this game is concept art with vibrant use of colors ... the story is initially intriguing and unfolds rather quickly for me ... it has a loose ending .. which to be honest I don't know what to make of ... for some it is awesome .. for some its not
  7. FlamesoFF
    Jan 29, 2022
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Well, that’s one of the most overestimated games I’ve ever played.
    The weakest part is the story. I played really careful, but in the end I didn’t realized who the hell is that Ned guy, and why I should care about him and his problems at all? And the ending is generally disappointing. The mystery part just sucks, there’s no mystery or detective. The game would be way better if the story would be built around Delilah and Henry only, about their relations and overcoming everyday routine.
    Technical part is poor. Graphics is bad, even considering cartoon stylization, probably because of the Unity engine.
    Concluding all, this is a mediocre indie project without any new ideas or mechanics, or any extraordinary story.    … Expand
  8. WhiskeyStories
    Jul 12, 2019
    7
    I've beaten Firewatch at least 3 months ago, and I still catch myself thinking about it. Pondering over the twisty-turny mystery plot, the gorgeous visuals and the delightful banter and chemistry between Henry and Delilah - performed wonderfully by the great Rich Sommer (Mad Men represent!) and Cissy Jones. As far as gameplay goes, there isn't a whole lot, but it's a damn good walkingI've beaten Firewatch at least 3 months ago, and I still catch myself thinking about it. Pondering over the twisty-turny mystery plot, the gorgeous visuals and the delightful banter and chemistry between Henry and Delilah - performed wonderfully by the great Rich Sommer (Mad Men represent!) and Cissy Jones. As far as gameplay goes, there isn't a whole lot, but it's a damn good walking simulator as far as I'm concerned, with a genuinely lovely atmosphere.

    Firewatch is one of those games that lingers. It stays with you long after you've finished the 5-6 hour long story.    … Expand
  9. Leo_Manzano
    Aug 2, 2022
    6
    Working....................................................................
  10. DanielPeled
    Mar 22, 2017
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I really liked the games first half.

    I get the game. I understand it's meant to be underwhelming- that's the point. Everything falls short and kinda is like real life, just disappointing. It's just a bit too tedious- though maybe that's apart of the point too.
    This game has no replayability. I feel as if this game was on the cusp of being something great. I was legitimately scared for a while, hearing rustling in bushes.

    Also there's a consistancy issue- "Every Cabin has one of those fauna posters hanging up"- but when you see her cabin later, she doesn't have one. This was just another instance of lack of detail    … Expand
  11. CriticalHit20
    Oct 20, 2019
    7
    What disappointed most was defnitely the ending. It is not really a game and you really don't have choices. A lot of these type of gave are interactive movies where your actions do not change anything, Thus, if they score well, it is because the story or video was a 7.5/10 anyway. This story was 6.5/10 but I had some interest in wondering what would it be like to be a fire watcher and IWhat disappointed most was defnitely the ending. It is not really a game and you really don't have choices. A lot of these type of gave are interactive movies where your actions do not change anything, Thus, if they score well, it is because the story or video was a 7.5/10 anyway. This story was 6.5/10 but I had some interest in wondering what would it be like to be a fire watcher and I experienced some of that and am happy for that, so I rounded it up to 7.0. I rate these games based on the experience and not how much it cost me (I got it for free), but if I spent $10 on this game, i do not think i would be getting my money's worth.… Expand
  12. vova22379
    Feb 17, 2023
    5
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
  13. ErdemMT5
    Feb 21, 2022
    6
    Firewatch, is an fps adventure game by a small indie studio.
    Like most the small indie studio's greatest aspect, Firewatch's strongest point is, art design and atmosphere. Art design is simple as expected, and mostly inspired from The Long Dark. But with the great lightling and beutiful color schema , visuality is still can be felt cozy and adorable.
    Game doesn't have too much mechanics    Firewatch, is an fps adventure game by a small indie studio.
    Like most the small indie studio's greatest aspect, Firewatch's strongest point is, art design and atmosphere. Art design is simple as expected, and mostly inspired from The Long Dark. But with the great lightling and beutiful color schema , visuality is still can be felt cozy and adorable.
    Game doesn't have too much mechanics except walking. During the whole game players can do only climb some wall's and interect some objects, except for walking.
    And the animation's are satisfying and adorable. But unfortunately there is not too much animation requirement because of lack mechanics.
    And in the game design, Firewatch has lots of lacking. There is not even stamina or hunger. Firewatch's whole game design and core gameloop is walking on a point of the map. There is no extra content like coocking, wild life, some difficulties on the way etc.
    Firewatch has some levels representing on the game as days. But all the levels are takes place in the same map. And unfortunately, this map is too small and linear. Once set off the road for a task, player doesn't have to check the map often, because all the roads are just like corridors. They leading the player in only one way without any diversion or a different path.
    the game has a interesting story in the first few hours. And even in the beginning, storytelling is attracted me so deep. But near the end, i felt like writers couldn't handle climax point. and the game's second part's storty is a frustration for me.    … Expand
  14. StarkAgentos
    Apr 16, 2022
    5
    Пустой скучный мир, ничего нет, никого не встречаешь. Игра для меня уж слишком скучная.
  15. Proxy_1m
    Mar 4, 2022
    6
    The world details were not bad. The story, however, should be enhanced. The story began perfectly. Unfortunately it became tedious in the middle of the game.
  16. Shinoadoto
    Aug 18, 2023
    5
    Простенькая бродилка на 4 часа за 400 грн). Графика очень приятная, хоть и в мультяшном сеттинге. Закаты можно инста ставить на обои рабочего стола. Сюжет интересный, вся эта история под соусом постоянной напряженности и нарастающей шизы от любого шороха делают свое дело.
    Уж слишком файервоч реалистичный, в плане событий и концовки
    5 енотов в кустах из 10    Простенькая бродилка на 4 часа за 400 грн). Графика очень приятная, хоть и в мультяшном сеттинге. Закаты можно инста ставить на обои рабочего стола. Сюжет интересный, вся эта история под соусом постоянной напряженности и нарастающей шизы от любого шороха делают свое дело.
    Уж слишком файервоч реалистичный, в плане событий и концовки
    5 енотов в кустах из 10
  17. pepefrostimus
    Jul 4, 2023
    6
    The game makes you feel like you are there, the lingering feeling of mystery until the very end is quite amazing. Somehow i still remember how empty this game made me feel and the (somehow) feeling of wanting to touch grass.
    But that damn ending man.. it was like finding out the mystery in gravity falls, but atleast in gravity fall they had an real ending.
  18. wiski
    Feb 12, 2016
    5
    This was a good story, but it was not a good GAME. This felt like me guiding a character around on rails as I was told a story by the characters in it. I would not recommend this for $20, or the $18 I paid for it. I would recommend you either wait for a sale and it comes down to around $5, or just watch a Let's Play of it while holding a controller and pretending you're the one moving theThis was a good story, but it was not a good GAME. This felt like me guiding a character around on rails as I was told a story by the characters in it. I would not recommend this for $20, or the $18 I paid for it. I would recommend you either wait for a sale and it comes down to around $5, or just watch a Let's Play of it while holding a controller and pretending you're the one moving the character around.

    It took me 3.2 hours to complete this game, and that is with getting lost multiple times.    … Expand
  19. AlyssaX
    Feb 12, 2016
    6
    I want to give a fair review to this game, but it becomes hard when the devs decide to charge full price for an Alpha game.

    Anyway, the game basically shows its full potential in the first in game day. Which is superb. After that it literally becomes a walking dialogue simulator. It takes the whole game to build an atmosphere of doubt and conspiracy around the plot, only to end the    I want to give a fair review to this game, but it becomes hard when the devs decide to charge full price for an Alpha game.

    Anyway, the game basically shows its full potential in the first in game day. Which is superb. After that it literally becomes a walking dialogue simulator.

    It takes the whole game to build an atmosphere of doubt and conspiracy around the plot, only to end the game abruptly making 100% of your choices meaningless, which at the end makes you feel that you only had the illusion of choice, making you feel tricked as well.

    What I did like a lot, was the visuals. They're beautiful and the game runs smooth most of the time.

    Possible spoilers:

    The relationship you build with delilah, is gorgeous. However, you never even get to see a pic of her... which is really disappointing imho.
    The ending is just a middle finger to the player, plain and simple.

    End of spoilers:

    So I give a 6/10 just because I kinda like these unique games, even though this one was very falsely advertised, never fulfilling what the trailers showed it to be.    … Expand
  20. Luizzrz
    Feb 13, 2016
    6
    Extremely short and it doesn't leave you satisfied.

    There is almost no interaction aside from the "dialogue" (which was good), which at the end doesn't matter, there is absolutely /zero/ gameplay, the story was okay (aside from the terrible ending) and that's Firewatch.

    Simple and short.
  21. ChoBroooo
    Feb 11, 2016
    5
    I used to support this game A LOT in fact. However, I realized how many lies and things that were never mentioned before that weren't in it. Was it 6 hours? NOPE! Most beat in 4 hours, going through everything. It's not open world, there is no combat, there is no life, THERE IS **** NOTHING!! There have been MULTIPLE patches since release, with at least 2. And this game was short, itI used to support this game A LOT in fact. However, I realized how many lies and things that were never mentioned before that weren't in it. Was it 6 hours? NOPE! Most beat in 4 hours, going through everything. It's not open world, there is no combat, there is no life, THERE IS **** NOTHING!! There have been MULTIPLE patches since release, with at least 2. And this game was short, it should have been at least a week before patching. Honestly, just either buy it at maybe $5 or do not bother. I already refunded it, with 2.1 hours, hopefully I get my money back. This game is not a 0, 1, or 2. But, it's not a 9 or 10, it is a awful value in every way. Just watch a lets play. Trust me, you'll thank me later.… Expand
  22. Seezer
    Feb 12, 2016
    5
    Nothing happens: The game.

    The dialogue is the only thing that redeems it, but you will not have any reason to play it again.

    Not worth the price.
  23. iron_fur
    Feb 13, 2016
    6
    Firewatch takes some steps in the right direction. It creates a dramatic game without having to sacrifice gameplay for cutscenes and it creates a realistic and incredibly captivating relationship between to people who have never met and never see each other, which is further helped by the games amazing voice acting.
    The game's story relays on mystery and tension that gets built up by the    Firewatch takes some steps in the right direction. It creates a dramatic game without having to sacrifice gameplay for cutscenes and it creates a realistic and incredibly captivating relationship between to people who have never met and never see each other, which is further helped by the games amazing voice acting.
    The game's story relays on mystery and tension that gets built up by the large amount of quiet time created by hiking from place to place, making moments of high level action and suspense all the more effective at scaring or intensifying you. Gameplay revolves around hiking from place to place to do things (I'm using things as speaking about any plot points is going to take away a large proportion of the game away as I will later elaborate on) you get a map and a compass and for some reason the game automatically has it so you know where you are. I instantly changed this as it allowed for a more immersive experience, having to accurately read a map in order to not get lost was a real treat. The graphics are cartoon-y and stunning and really goes to show that photo-realism in gaming is not always (or at all) the way forward, however, for an indie developer making a game of this scope seems to have taken its toll. The game has a tendency to have lag spikes even on my high spec pc (I just thank god I'm not on ps4) and I had two crashes while playing (one game breaking and incredibly annoying one during an important moment). Aloe as you probably know its only 4.5 hours long. For the £15 price tag its pretty bad even if the game is polished and is consistently good as I've been saying it is. But the last third of the really sucked and was appallingly unclimatic and disappointing. It seems like the writer built up the tension then had no idea what to do with it so he panicked and wrote this in at the last second.
    I like Firewatch, despite its shortcomings and found the first two thirds of the game so strong and the conversations between the two characters so good I couldn't help but like it. However, I can't recommend it due to its crappy ending.    … Expand
  24. DatVaseline
    Feb 14, 2016
    5
    When i first started this game i was thrilled, the story was interesting, the visuals were beautiful, and i felt connected to the characters. However after an hour or 2 i felt like i was walking back and forth throughout the same places all game and didn't even have to go to some areas. The story was progressing well for the most part but it got a bit dull towards the later half of theWhen i first started this game i was thrilled, the story was interesting, the visuals were beautiful, and i felt connected to the characters. However after an hour or 2 i felt like i was walking back and forth throughout the same places all game and didn't even have to go to some areas. The story was progressing well for the most part but it got a bit dull towards the later half of the game. I was expecting big things from the ending, but it was the stupidest most anticlimactic ending ive ever seen in a video game in my whole entire life. This game is worth $5 not $20.… Expand
  25. TwoEars
    Feb 13, 2016
    7
    This is a very suggestive and mature game in the style of a "visual novel", much like Ethan Carter or Gone Home also are. You'll spend 90% of your time either exploring the wilderness or talking to your fellow fire-watchman, a woman by the name of Delilah, over the radio. So it's good then that these two parts of the game really are excellent, there is real chemistry in the radio banterThis is a very suggestive and mature game in the style of a "visual novel", much like Ethan Carter or Gone Home also are. You'll spend 90% of your time either exploring the wilderness or talking to your fellow fire-watchman, a woman by the name of Delilah, over the radio. So it's good then that these two parts of the game really are excellent, there is real chemistry in the radio banter between you and D. and the exploration is also fantastically done. I really applaud them for going with a handheld map and compass rather than just an automatic mini-map, it really makes the game that much more immersive and realistic.

    I also think that the graphics and audio design was very well done for such a small studio, there is a lot of love put in here. However - the problem I have with this game (and why the score stays at a seven) is that the game pretends like there's choice and consequence, but there really isn't. No matter what choices you make basically everyone who play this game is going to have the same emotional roller-coaster and the same ending.

    And while I understand that branching story lines and alternate endings take time and money to create it's especially painful this time around since I think this game could have been a real masterpiece, had we been allowed to explore some different endings depending on our choices. The net effect is that rather than feeling like we've been given something decent, the feeling I have is that I've been robbed of greatness. Video games are a unique medium in that they have the possibility to allow for choice and consequence, and to not take advantage of that in this case almost feels like a cardinal sin.

    There is so much that could have been done here in terms of keeping quiet on the radio, or not saying certain things on the radio, or delaying saying certain things to a certain someone, or not falling for someone's obvious trap. But nothing of that ever happens or pays off, this game is a "corridor-adventure-game" for a lack of a better term. You might initially think that there is choice and consequence, but this game is sadly a lot dumber than it initially makes itself out to be.

    I will also say that while I personally liked the current ending I think it may be a little too realistic, mature and underwhelming for mass-market tastes. Had the current ending been one of say three possible endings it would have been stellar, but since it's the only ending I think many will find it underwhelming.

    I debated long and hard whether I should give this game a 7 or an 8. In the end I decided that I can't reward coming this close to greatness and then falling short of the mark. This could have been a 9, or maybe even a 10, score game with the right branching story treatment but it simply falls short, and that is indeed painful    … Expand
  26. Dough15
    Feb 10, 2016
    7
    Great narrative-experience, accompanied by top-notch voice acting, art-direction and pacing, that's therefore weakened by a heartless conclusion that doesn't make justice to the mistery established early in the game. Firewatch is memorable, but replaying it seems pointless.
  27. Noodlebox
    May 10, 2017
    7
    Good things about Firewatch:
    - Story, of course. It what game's all about! Background behind characters, time and place make you fall in love with them all
    - Graphics are very good, love color choices - Sounds and voice acting are great - Diversity of zones, each have it's unique feel. Room for improvement: - Open world level design is fine, but some areas feels empty. World looks    Good things about Firewatch:
    - Story, of course. It what game's all about! Background behind characters, time and place make you fall in love with them all
    - Graphics are very good, love color choices
    - Sounds and voice acting are great
    - Diversity of zones, each have it's unique feel.

    Room for improvement:
    - Open world level design is fine, but some areas feels empty. World looks like decoration and I think that the game doesn't really reward you for deep exploring of hardly accessible places
    - Unity engine. I don't know why, but I don't like how it works on a PC. Controls and rendering feels weird and slow, but maybe it's just me.

    Overall: Firewatch may be not the great game, but it is great story, will totally recommend.    … Expand
  28. keasyman
    Mar 2, 2016
    5
    Wow, what an engaging narrative!
    I was sucked in from the start.
    Unfortunately this game despite its' brilliance is far too short to justify the price tag. £15 on Steam in the UK and it lasts 3 or 4 hours. I've spent more in the pub on one round but games carry a different value. Far too little content and the map is far too small. After trekking a few paths there's not much need for    Wow, what an engaging narrative!
    I was sucked in from the start.

    Unfortunately this game despite its' brilliance is far too short to justify the price tag. £15 on Steam in the UK and it lasts 3 or 4 hours.
    I've spent more in the pub on one round but games carry a different value.
    Far too little content and the map is far too small. After trekking a few paths there's not much need for the compass at all. It's a real disappointment when the boundaries are met.

    I'd save my cash for a title that lasts a good bit longer.    … Expand
  29. KARF4GEN
    Nov 20, 2019
    7
    Хорошая игра про глубокую историю и ходьбу с неудобной картой..
    Пожалуй юным игрокам она будет возможно скучновата, так что рекомендую много экшна или не ждать, или пока отложить до своей зрелости. Игроку будет понятнее и проще прочувствовать героев.
    Проходилась в целом игра на одном дыхании и весьма понравилась. История взаимоотношения двух дозорных, которые в период зрелости оказались    Хорошая игра про глубокую историю и ходьбу с неудобной картой..
    Пожалуй юным игрокам она будет возможно скучновата, так что рекомендую много экшна или не ждать, или пока отложить до своей зрелости. Игроку будет понятнее и проще прочувствовать героев.
    Проходилась в целом игра на одном дыхании и весьма понравилась.
    История взаимоотношения двух дозорных, которые в период зрелости оказались в ситуации, когда им нужно было убежать от своей судьбы и в лесу они оказались в угрожающей и не ясной ситуации.
    Ответ игра в конце дает только один - иногда ответ намного проще и трагичнее, чем тот который мы могли себе представить.
    Итог: хорошо, чуть бы побольше геймплея и стало отлично.    … Expand
  30. Dukemang
    Feb 13, 2016
    7
    The game is excellent at giving off a great narrative, but in the end, everything falls short from the great mysteries that occur throughout the story. I do give it a 7/10 because of how well everything is put together, but you're honestly left feeling disappointed and un-amused how the developers try to wrap it all up in the end. I'd say this game would be great for anyone to play, butThe game is excellent at giving off a great narrative, but in the end, everything falls short from the great mysteries that occur throughout the story. I do give it a 7/10 because of how well everything is put together, but you're honestly left feeling disappointed and un-amused how the developers try to wrap it all up in the end. I'd say this game would be great for anyone to play, but it's not a must have.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

61
#61 Best PC Game of 2016
13
#13 Most Discussed PC Game of 2016
55
#55 Most Shared PC Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 65 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 65
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 65
  3. Negative: 0 out of 65
  1. CD-Action
    May 1, 2016
    80
    Firewatch is hands down the best, the most engaging first person walker I have ever played. Something doesn’t let me rate it higher though, and I guess it’s my common sense. [04/2016, p.50]
  2. GameSpew
    Apr 15, 2016
    80
    The look of this game is nothing short of stunning… Each detail is carefully designed and thought out with a charming feel to it overall.
    Read full review
  3. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Apr 12, 2016
    100
    This unconventional game combines strong story, beautiful natural surroundings and fantastically written and played characters. What it lacks in classic adventure mechanics, it makes up in great dialogue system between the main protagonists. [Issue#262]
See all critic reviews »