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. dunnyone
    Feb 11, 2016
    4
    I'll give the developers this, the voice acting is excellent. The banter between the two characters is incredibly realistic but this falls woefully short as a game. It's three hours long (if that) and the ending is utter trash. It was also insanely overpriced for what you get. I truly do not understand these idiot official sites that tell us how excellent these games are, when they areI'll give the developers this, the voice acting is excellent. The banter between the two characters is incredibly realistic but this falls woefully short as a game. It's three hours long (if that) and the ending is utter trash. It was also insanely overpriced for what you get. I truly do not understand these idiot official sites that tell us how excellent these games are, when they are simply lackluster walking simulators. Wait for a Steam sale, when it drops to $5 then snap it up.… Expand
  3. itmo
    Feb 10, 2016
    3
    So did they forget to finish the game but still charge for a full game? The best way to sum up this game is - Good Marketing campaign, Dud game. The asking price for this game is 3 times to much for what you get, and what you get is a 3 hour walking simulator, on rails, no exploring the great wide yonder, a pretense to an interesting story which falls flat on its backside. There is noSo did they forget to finish the game but still charge for a full game? The best way to sum up this game is - Good Marketing campaign, Dud game. The asking price for this game is 3 times to much for what you get, and what you get is a 3 hour walking simulator, on rails, no exploring the great wide yonder, a pretense to an interesting story which falls flat on its backside. There is no climax, there really isn't much of a game. Zero replay value. Reminds me of the beginners guide, it's trying to be arty, cool but comes off as lame, underdeveloped and a missed opportunity to be an innovative idea.… Expand
  4. Akolyte01
    Feb 9, 2016
    4
    A very short game where the plot goes nowhere. Beautiful art direction that conveys the sense of an open world, but is really a series of corridors without any sort of gratifying exploration.

    The game is centered around the plot, but the ending leaves you thinking "Well, that was a whole bunch of nothing."

    Do not listen to the shills creaming their jeans, Firewatch is exceedingly mediocre.
  5. sjcodan
    Feb 9, 2016
    4
    The setup, the pacing, the suspense were all amazing, but that ending actively made me un-enjoy the game. There's so much setup pointing towards things that just don't matter. At all. I don't want to touch spoilers in my review, but lets leave it at this;
    The first third of the game is a 7, the middle third is a 9, and the back third is a -5.
  6. 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
  7. Muuvinki
    Feb 11, 2016
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. My last review was removed here, so I guess damage control has begun.
    This game is only 3 - 4 hours long, on rails walking simulator.
    Devs mislead players into thinking that this a open world game, which it isn't.
    Don't support lying devs and price tag of 20$ for a game that offers nothing new.

    PS
    I will keep posting my review back here everytime someone removes it
    You cant silence the truth.    … Expand
  8. fredhorrigan
    Feb 9, 2016
    0
    Just another "game" where you have barely any interaction and all you do is walk from point A to point B and interacting with the thing the game tells you to interact with so you'll be able to walk to point C while you choose between a handful of dialogue options that don't change anything.

    The story takes a page from Gone Home where it might look like it's some sort of supernatural    Just another "game" where you have barely any interaction and all you do is walk from point A to point B and interacting with the thing the game tells you to interact with so you'll be able to walk to point C while you choose between a handful of dialogue options that don't change anything.

    The story takes a page from Gone Home where it might look like it's some sort of supernatural mystery or something like that but ends up being a very mundane and very boring.

    SPOILER ALERT: There's no killer or supernatural elements, just a guy trying to spook people because he wants them to leave the forest because he doesn't want anyone to find his dead son's body and the two girls that go missing turn out fine.

    Don't pay money for this **** just watch it on youtube, or even better, watch something less terrible like a movie or a TV show.    … Expand
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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.
  12. errdyyy
    Jul 5, 2018
    9
    Firewatch is an excellent game. While the developers did some pretty scummy stuff about the whole PewDiePie situation, the focus shouldn't be taken off how great this game is. The Dialogue is amazing. The story is thrilling. And to be honest, I really like the ending. I thoroughly enjoyed this game and I think it deserves more praise.
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. Leo_Manzano
    Aug 2, 2022
    6
    Working....................................................................
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. vova22379
    Feb 17, 2023
    5
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
  20. 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
  21. StarkAgentos
    Apr 16, 2022
    5
    Пустой скучный мир, ничего нет, никого не встречаешь. Игра для меня уж слишком скучная.
  22. 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.
  23. 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
  24. 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.
  25. Kraks
    Mar 25, 2017
    2
    I couldn't disagree with positive reviews for this game more. It is a very short adventure novella with 0 skill requirements, no puzzles, and no problem solving required. You just walk around the world for a bit and click on things and listen to a conversation between yourself and another firewatcher. The entire game may take 4 hours to complete if you go slow, but is easily completed inI couldn't disagree with positive reviews for this game more. It is a very short adventure novella with 0 skill requirements, no puzzles, and no problem solving required. You just walk around the world for a bit and click on things and listen to a conversation between yourself and another firewatcher. The entire game may take 4 hours to complete if you go slow, but is easily completed in 2.

    I wouldn't suggest this game for any more than $2. The $20 price tag suggests depth that just doesn't exist.    … Expand
  26. JazGalaxy
    Feb 14, 2016
    4
    Great writing and voice acting are stymied by a terrible plot and conclusion that leave the player scratching their head and wondering why this was a story that needed to be told at all. As usual gamers give too much credit for what is attempted rather than what was achieved. Player choose is mostly cosmetic. In short, want to read a murder mystery where the ending is that nobody was everGreat writing and voice acting are stymied by a terrible plot and conclusion that leave the player scratching their head and wondering why this was a story that needed to be told at all. As usual gamers give too much credit for what is attempted rather than what was achieved. Player choose is mostly cosmetic. In short, want to read a murder mystery where the ending is that nobody was ever actually killed? Your answer will give you the answer as to whether you should play firewatch.… Expand
  27. Ewakid
    Mar 22, 2016
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Not much content for a game I spent 19.99 on, I've player DLCs that are longer and more enjoyable than this game. The conversations between Henry and Delilah are ok, but its hard to pay attention to them when trees pop in and out of existence, or when the ground disappears. The 15 FPS is great too, I have a pretty nice Pc and I'm above the system requirements but I still have to endure a god awful framerate. [[SPOILERS]] The endings piss poor, the second they introduced the weird hiker guy with his son I knew that he would have a big role to play. Sure enough, he was the one that was doing all the weird **** After that, you just get rejected no matter what, and nothing you did affects the outcome of the story. Now you can say the ending doesn't matter and that its all about the journey, but you can't say that when the **** journey was "walk to this place, walk to another place, talk a bit". Another game that had a **** ending was Fallout New Vegas, you get a **** slideshow and you realize nothing matters. BUT the difference is in fallout new vegas I can **** do stuff, I don't just walk and walk and walk. So in the end, don't buy this game, you won't really have fun, it's just walking. Watch a full walkthrough with no commentary. You will get more out of just watching everything happen than actually playing the game.… Expand
  28. Shahenita
    Apr 29, 2016
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. the game is just 2 hours long! its too short..
    its an adventure to reveal the story.. that start very good and ends very Sad!
    raising to expectation until the middle.. and then is just disappointment after another!

    games should be fun! whats fun about a boy dead on a cave!!!    … Expand
  29. meglaa
    Aug 11, 2016
    4
    Going from point A to point B, with sometimes an additional point C. Basically the game is a walking simulator with dialogue. You can't run with the map open, which is a big deal, since you hardly learn the map before the game is over. The story is pretty interesting, but it feels like at the end, the writers were fired, because nearing the ending is just ridiculous. The actual gameplayGoing from point A to point B, with sometimes an additional point C. Basically the game is a walking simulator with dialogue. You can't run with the map open, which is a big deal, since you hardly learn the map before the game is over. The story is pretty interesting, but it feels like at the end, the writers were fired, because nearing the ending is just ridiculous. The actual gameplay time is a few hours, which is pretty sad, considering the price of the game and the game has absolutely no replay value. The decisions you make have no impact on the game itself, it's just for you to do something. Whatever you choose, whatever you do, the entire game will still be exactly the same.… Expand
  30. 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
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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 »