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. AlexandrRosca
    Dec 29, 2021
    7
    Firewatch | 2016 | PC | Played for: 5h

    A story told through a beautiful walking simulator.
    Played it in one sitting, it is nicely packed but nothing to write home about.
    Can only recommend if heavily discounted. The atmosphere is nice though, soothing.

    Story: 7,5/10
    Gameplay: 6/10
    Graphics/Physics: 9/10
    Music/Sound: 8/10
    Final Score: 7,4/10
  2. mindw0rk
    Feb 10, 2016
    7
    I enjoyed watching walkthrough. Loved atmosphere, graphics style, voice acting and how plot starts. But towards the end something happened and all the mystery went poof. For story based game story felt too simple and straightforward with ending that didnt satisfy me at all. I hope next game from this company will bring a more indepth mystery.
  3. B3ckett
    Mar 23, 2016
    7
    Something different and something beautiful. The tension builds up nickely, the views and atmosphere are wonderful, but the ending dissapoints. With a capital D.

    Nevertheless it's worth a few hours of your time so go get it. Ending's bat taste in the mouth will eventually pass, but you will recall time spent with the game fondly.
  4. Jamtots
    Feb 9, 2016
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The game is great, but is seriously let down by an anticlimactic ending that feels far too... ordinary. It builds up this big mystery and conspiracy only for it all to suddenly deflate and lead nowhere exciting.

    Just like Henry's relationship with Delilah. It just goes nowhere.

    The game pretends to be something it's not for the entirety of its length until the "mystery" is solved, which is going to annoy a lot of people.

    That being said, I still think it deserves a high score because although the destination sucked, the journey there was gorgeous and a lot of fun.    … Expand
  5. Crescendo
    Mar 31, 2016
    7
    As many others have said before me, Firewatch is a pretty and intriguing game featuring a very interesting scenario. I guess I'd can call it another walking simulator if I disliked the game, but quite the opposite is the case here. I felt the narrative driven by just two people seemingly alone just using their radios was pretty well written, and the story exciting and thick up to a certainAs many others have said before me, Firewatch is a pretty and intriguing game featuring a very interesting scenario. I guess I'd can call it another walking simulator if I disliked the game, but quite the opposite is the case here. I felt the narrative driven by just two people seemingly alone just using their radios was pretty well written, and the story exciting and thick up to a certain point... you begin to questioning your own sanity, the others, if there is something bigger going on... but in the end the trailer shows a much more dramatic and sensationalist version of this game (which I'd have liked to play instead)

    Pros:
    + Atmospheric
    + Good narrative and tension buildup
    + Good looking
    + Interesting scenario

    Cons
    - Very much 'on rails'
    - No real decisions to make
    - Probably a bit of a disappointing finish, but I liked it that way    … Expand
  6. JohnWitten
    Mar 24, 2016
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. [Brief Synopsis of Full Review]

    The scripted sequences that progress the narrative and the interactions through relationship building and dialogue are the finer points of the game and make the experience one that I would say is entirely worth it even though the second and third acts gradually slack off and leave a sour taste in the mouth. What starts as a mystery I would love to uncover gradually morphs into something that even X-Files would shudder at in terms of just how much it seems to retcon earlier information and make liberal use of “video game logic.” What is at first an entirely believable and enjoyably realistic experience seems to hoodwink even the player themselves and end with a less than stellar thought.

    Concept: Explore the wilderness and a potential cover up and other intriguing events in the backwoods of Wyoming over the course of a summer with your fellow fire watchers.

    Graphics: It certainly has its own unique look and reminds me more of graphics or posters sometimes than a realistic or cartoon style of visuals in games.

    Sound: Although characters never meet face to face per se, the voice work is well done and showcases an incredible level of detail and emotion in the way it conveys the words from script to realization.

    Playability: It is quite literally a stroll through the woods and an enjoyable experience lacking difficulty but not lacking for substance.

    Entertainment: Games in this genre are slow going but if you can get into the story then you’ll be right at home for at least seventy percent of the game or so.

    Replay Value: Low.

    Overall Score: 7.0    … Expand
  7. SebboBastian
    Dec 24, 2018
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. About four hour game where you will take part of a very personal story and relationship between two characters who have never met each other. Good vibes but something more is missing.… Expand
  8. 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
  9. 21grams
    Feb 15, 2016
    7
    The game could have been really great, but the ending was really bad. The huge mystery felt flat in the end and left with the feeling of being fooled the whole time and wasting time for no reason.

    Good: - Artstyle - Narrative - Climatic - Mystery (until near end of the game) Bad: - Ending - Length (3-4 hours if you don't rush) I truly believe they fcked up (this is correct    The game could have been really great, but the ending was really bad. The huge mystery felt flat in the end and left with the feeling of being fooled the whole time and wasting time for no reason.

    Good:
    - Artstyle
    - Narrative
    - Climatic
    - Mystery (until near end of the game)

    Bad:
    - Ending
    - Length (3-4 hours if you don't rush)

    I truly believe they fcked up (this is correct word for it) ending really badly.. Such a shame because bad ending makes good game look not so good in the end.    … Expand
  10. vonbird
    Mar 14, 2017
    7
    Firewatch has an impressive and beautiful environment for and indie game but I've seen better. It looks eye catching for the first few hours but the problem is that the whole game is just a few hours.
    The voice acting is also rather good and that probably the only thing that keeps you from leaving the game unfinished.
    But the game play gets boring very soon, although they try to add new    Firewatch has an impressive and beautiful environment for and indie game but I've seen better. It looks eye catching for the first few hours but the problem is that the whole game is just a few hours.
    The voice acting is also rather good and that probably the only thing that keeps you from leaving the game unfinished.
    But the game play gets boring very soon, although they try to add new elements every now and then but it really doesn't help.
    And then there is the plot...
    It really seems to be a great story until you finally find out that it wasn't and it was just another ordinary story.
    Overall if you have spare 4-5 hours to kill
    You might give Firewatch a chance, otherwise, its not worth it.    … Expand
  11. Hack
    May 25, 2017
    7
    Incredible voice work with main characters that felt extremely real, their banter kept me interested until the end, however the ending was extremely disappointing, I won't spoil it but I felt it was a giant let down that did a poor job of finishing the story and for a game in this genre that's a cardinal sin.

    Overall the game was enjoyable with a great atmosphere, I spent a large    Incredible voice work with main characters that felt extremely real, their banter kept me interested until the end, however the ending was extremely disappointing, I won't spoil it but I felt it was a giant let down that did a poor job of finishing the story and for a game in this genre that's a cardinal sin.

    Overall the game was enjoyable with a great atmosphere, I spent a large portion of the game on edge, with a feeling that something terrible was about to happen to me. The audio was top notch with amazing voice work from all involved, especially the main characters themselves, this was definitely the high point of the game. Visually it was just OK, with some low quality assets and textures that just looked off at times. Technically once again just OK, being a Unity engine game it did have some jank like asset load stutter, hitching and random frame rate drops even when installed on a SSD with a PC capable of running the game maxed out at well north of 60fps, it's definitely not the worst Unity title I've played, though.

    I'm a big fan of this genre and I do recommend Firewatch if you are too but it's not the cream of the crop, for that you'd want to play something like "What Remains of Edith Finch" which is just incredible.    … Expand
  12. DeFlow
    Feb 26, 2016
    7
    Firewatch is an emotionally engaging adventure game. It shines most in it's realistic depiction of evolving relationships and connection to our peers and how we humans deal with pain and loss.

    If you read this, but have been put off by the critical assessment of the ending, let me tell you this. The game does not end in a James Bond, Die Hard or X-Files climax with guns blazing and    Firewatch is an emotionally engaging adventure game. It shines most in it's realistic depiction of evolving relationships and connection to our peers and how we humans deal with pain and loss.

    If you read this, but have been put off by the critical assessment of the ending, let me tell you this. The game does not end in a James Bond, Die Hard or X-Files climax with guns blazing and explosions everywhere, but more nuanced and gradual. For me, this is a realistic depiction of the world we live in. People wishing for a more exciting, staccato ending might have watched too many movies where they should have gone out in the world and experience life as it is.

    Why a 7? The game perfectly achieves what (I think) it aims to do. The main meat of the game, the relationship between Delilah and Henry, shines and the voice acting is great. However, the game is short and linear and the plot is okay but has some holes and is not fully believable. An extra couple of months of writing would have served the game well.

    If you like atmospheric and thought-provoking games, I urge you to buy The Witness instead.    … Expand
  13. Tomle1202
    May 21, 2016
    7
    Firewatch is like a flame in the centre of darkness. It shines with character development and voice acting, but not bright enough to overshadow its rather short length and a disappointing story.
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. kamhagh
    Apr 20, 2017
    7
    The game is very very short for the price.
    The art is stunning and the game is very relaxing.
    the ending was a bit underwhelming but good overall!
    it's funny how the whole game is nothing than a character moving around but they managed to make it interesting. if you're looking for something like call of duty this definitely isn't the game you will like.
  17. 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
  18. othaner
    Mar 4, 2016
    7
    "how to ruin game of the year material by making a sh*tty ending simulator"
    last 20-30 minutes turn the game from 10 to 1 made all your journey worth nothing
  19. 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.
  20. frantisec
    Feb 16, 2016
    7
    Amazingly atmospheric and interesting. I just love the communication with walkies. BUT the end? So weak for me. So many questions and i just thing it was silly, great feeling from the game untill finish.
  21. AnTi_HeRo2100
    Mar 1, 2016
    7
    FIREWATCH (the game)

    For those of you who may be thinking about trying it out I will give you a little insider. If you are into seriously good gameplay and that's pretty much it please don't buy this game, this game is more of a narrative its the story and the overall presentation that makes this game good not the gameplay, the environment is severely limited in interactions and    FIREWATCH (the game)

    For those of you who may be thinking about trying it out I will give you a little insider.

    If you are into seriously good gameplay and that's pretty much it please don't buy this game, this game is more of a narrative its the story and the overall presentation that makes this game good not the gameplay, the environment is severely limited in interactions and roaming around so don't expect that at all. This game is very linear in everyway but it is also very original from the story to the gameplay and the overall concept of it. this game is only about 4 hours in length and replay ability is not very high.

    However this game does show you what is great about gaming and how games can portray a story and emotions without everything being overly complicated, FIREWATCH is an example of what games use to be and are still capable of before multiplayer and sandbox style games became a thing it shows you that if the basics of game creation are done right it can be just as immersive as any other game and pull you in entirely for those 4 hours and make you sad but satisfied when you are finished.

    Overall I would give FIREWATCH a 7.5/10 because I don't personally believe that its worth $20 in todays market only being 4 hours in length, but the story itself propels this game up into the 7.5 range.

    P.S my grammar sucks I know that eat a dick.    … Expand
  22. 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
  23. Purguins
    May 10, 2016
    7
    The story here has so much potential until the devs decided to be lazy and destroyed it with a disappointing ending by not concluding the story well enough and I expected an epilogue or multiple endings. The gameplay was very good, story was tense and compelling enough to keep you finish the game in one seating, The characters were interesting and their voice acting was very good. The gameThe story here has so much potential until the devs decided to be lazy and destroyed it with a disappointing ending by not concluding the story well enough and I expected an epilogue or multiple endings. The gameplay was very good, story was tense and compelling enough to keep you finish the game in one seating, The characters were interesting and their voice acting was very good. The game would be better if they had expand their ending and we actually get to see Delilah and Henry faces or at least what happened to them in the end.… Expand
  24. 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
  25. touchofheaven
    Jun 30, 2020
    7
    Приятный, медитативный симулятор ходьбы по лесу, хорошая музыка и картинка.
  26. mikepatyaev
    Oct 6, 2016
    7
    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.
  27. dandalis
    Feb 22, 2018
    7
    Firewatch is a ''walking simulator'' type game that isnt boring or a tirying to play, it feels more like an actual adventure game actually. Strongest aspect of Firewatch are the stunningly done enviroments, simply walking and taking in the world is a joyful experience, its as if youre really in a forest national park or something even if the graphics are highly stylized not photoFirewatch is a ''walking simulator'' type game that isnt boring or a tirying to play, it feels more like an actual adventure game actually. Strongest aspect of Firewatch are the stunningly done enviroments, simply walking and taking in the world is a joyful experience, its as if youre really in a forest national park or something even if the graphics are highly stylized not photo realistic. The sights and sounds in Firewatch are simply lovely. Easily one of the best games that nail a forest setting.

    Gameplay wise there isnt much to it other than reading notes, taking pictures of the nice looking world, yup thats part of the gameplay, examining objects and traversing the the small but still somewhat sizeable feeling world while following objectives the storyline sets. Standard stuff for a game of this type.

    Story is where things can be more complicated. On one hand Henry and Delilah are well done, natural and believable characters, its interesting seeing how they interact with each other via walkie talkie without having seen each other in person. Story itself is pretty down to earth narrative wise with some mystery and suspense that add up as you play. And then i dont know how to feel about the ending, its like it could've played out the logical way most people would've liked it to, but the devs went the opposite way just to be different for the sake of being different not to give the player the simple satisfication of it. Also i didnt quite like how game jumps and skips from one time period in the story to the next. Its pretty short game aswell, 5 hours max if you play at a slower pace, but people who are always in rush might clock under 3 hours or less.

    Finaly on the side of one the developers being involved with political correctness bullcrap, for me personaly that would matter only if their personal beliefs would affect the game's quality itself, in Firewatch case, i didnt notice any of that crap in the game, atleast nothing that would be sticking out like a sore thumb.    … Expand
  28. mysta02
    Nov 22, 2016
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Gorgeous graphics, and the music is decent. The dialogue is what keeps the game going, and a few pretty intense moments in the story. The rest is basic walking, and VERY slow climbing.

    The game is only 2-3 hours long, so not really worth $20.

    SPOILER WARNING:

    I'm 99% sure the developers ran out of money, and had to create a quicker, easier ending.

    The player discovers futuristic wave-finders, and other scientific equipment throughout the game, and it's found out at the end that it was all a sham put together by a hermit who's been living in the forest for 3 years. He pieced together futuristic science tech with stolen batteries, and salvaged snowmobiles...... It's ridiculous, and ruins what would have otherwise been an amazing, if short, game.    … Expand
  29. 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
  30. 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.
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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 »