Firewatch

 PlayStation 4
User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 693 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 404 out of 693
  2. Mixed: 167 out of 693
  3. Negative: 122 out of 693
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  1. lgndsgn
    Mar 7, 2016
    4
    Ok, this game.... Not super bad, but I didn't like it at all. Here are a few short points as to why: 1) Frame-rate problems — Game stutters/lags every few seconds, especially when turning, or near anything scenic. 2) The lighting and environment — so, you're in this forrest, and it is literally almost devoid of life in it. I saw only a duck and few butterflies over the course of the WHOLEOk, this game.... Not super bad, but I didn't like it at all. Here are a few short points as to why: 1) Frame-rate problems — Game stutters/lags every few seconds, especially when turning, or near anything scenic. 2) The lighting and environment — so, you're in this forrest, and it is literally almost devoid of life in it. I saw only a duck and few butterflies over the course of the WHOLE game (not including a couple other animals in cut-scenes). No bears, even though you find tress with bear marks. The lighting is strange and just seems like you're wearing colored lense glasses. It's very linear; the character can't jump over small logs or bushes, or walk up a short incline of rocks, or climb a damn fence. You are only allowed to go where the story dictates. You are forced to repel down rock walls, that look so sloped you could easily walk up them... You can also get stuck on logs/rocks. 3)The story — Oh boy... Not to spoil anything, it's about 2 white middle-aged people being sarcastic and over dramatic with each other over a walkie talkie, while making really stupid choices throughout the game. And you don't really control the narrative, even though they give you the illusion of choice. You the player are a man, and the other character is a woman (which you never see throughout the whole game..) There's almost nothing exciting that happens (aside from maybe one part, and even that was meh). The logic in the story is really bad, and there are even mistakes (non spoiler example: character says one thing, then game acts as if character never said that. This happens a few times) IT'S VERY SHORT. My girlfriend and I beat the game in 2 days, very casual playing. The ending is meh too. You're just left feeling like "is this really it?". I honestly thought the story was just about to get started. Overall, just not good. Seemed very rushed.… Expand
  2. kraster
    Mar 19, 2016
    4
    Graphically this game looks beautiful but the constant stuttering almost renders the aesthetics moot. I have a fairly high tolerance for frame dips and stuttering but this is simply unacceptable. It's constant.
    The story is badly paced, I kept expecting some twist to the story that never came leaving me completely underwhelmed. The voice acting and script is excellent but the underpinning    Graphically this game looks beautiful but the constant stuttering almost renders the aesthetics moot. I have a fairly high tolerance for frame dips and stuttering but this is simply unacceptable. It's constant.
    The story is badly paced, I kept expecting some twist to the story that never came leaving me completely underwhelmed. The voice acting and script is excellent but the underpinning story is ultimately pointless.    … Expand
  3. sityoazzdown
    Aug 19, 2019
    4
    Wait.. wha... what? What was the point of this game? was literally my last thoughts as the credits rolled. I bought this game because of my pleasant experience with what remains of edith finch, but this game just disappoints on all levels.
    Pros: Mildly interesting mystery.
    Cons: Framerate chugs literally every step i take in this game, to the point it was nauseating. The yellow/orangey    Wait.. wha... what? What was the point of this game? was literally my last thoughts as the credits rolled. I bought this game because of my pleasant experience with what remains of edith finch, but this game just disappoints on all levels.
    Pros: Mildly interesting mystery.
    Cons: Framerate chugs literally every step i take in this game, to the point it was nauseating. The yellow/orangey hint of the wilderness literally hurt my eyes. The dialogue between you and dialogue becomes quite pointless and uninteresting. The dialogue is like a choose your adventure game, except it's really not. The game was advertised as an light-hearted romp, it was anything but. There was no view in this game where I was blown away, it was drab and boring. The walking part was a chore, between the frame rate and bringing your map up every 15 seconds, what a chore. Like i said the mystery was mildly interesting and everything else isn't, I found myself just rushing to finish the game to see the ending (my god; the framerate). And then the game ends, and your just like...that was it? And by the way the collectibles (if you can even call it that) was literally collecting trash.
    To end, this game sucks..from the technical standpoint, gameplay standpoint, and story standpoint. This isn't buy when on sale, this is a wait for a ps plus, even then I would'nt reccomend it that much.    … Expand
  4. Mattcha
    Feb 21, 2016
    4
    Was curious about this game, so I watched a 2 1/2 hour entire play through on YouTube, and now I'm glad I didn't waste money on a linear walking simulator with an incredibly unsatisfying ending.
  5. aidano
    Jan 8, 2017
    4
    After reading a few reviews I had high expectations for this game, however I was severely disappointed. There's no real control over the story and having completed the game I was thinking 'What!? That's it!?'. Felt like I'd wasted 6 hours of my life. It reminded me of the types of games that came out when full motion video became possible on computers - substituting style and script forAfter reading a few reviews I had high expectations for this game, however I was severely disappointed. There's no real control over the story and having completed the game I was thinking 'What!? That's it!?'. Felt like I'd wasted 6 hours of my life. It reminded me of the types of games that came out when full motion video became possible on computers - substituting style and script for gameplay, which it almost got away with, but ultimately the story wasn't compelling enough.… Expand
  6. vahn
    Aug 26, 2019
    3
    I really wanted to like this game but, after reaching the very lackluster and disappointing ending, I was left with a huge sense of incompletion that only games who try to be pretentious seem to have.

    Let's start from the very beginning: the game, which is mostly story by the way, is about a man named Henry who decides to work as a fire lookout in order to escape his life for the summer    I really wanted to like this game but, after reaching the very lackluster and disappointing ending, I was left with a huge sense of incompletion that only games who try to be pretentious seem to have.

    Let's start from the very beginning: the game, which is mostly story by the way, is about a man named Henry who decides to work as a fire lookout in order to escape his life for the summer and in here he'll "meet" with a woman called Delilah, however something happens and you will have to discover why this is happening.

    I'm not going into spoilers but for what it was, it was very disappointing: it starts out very interesting at first but then it turns out it was just a flash in the pan, and the ending was just "there" to be made but with really no big send-off.
    I was told this game had a great story, and I think there was one somewhere buried beneath the rocks from mountains of this area, but it was so poorly written and explained that I just couldn't see the big picture. There WAS something but it was just there without an actual good explanation, and in the end it felt like none of my choices mattered: I could replay the game and I bet the results would be the exact same!

    Let's skip to the gameplay, which is barebone too: the place is rather large I'll give them that but with the inability to jump and being forced to go through forced paths throughout the area - and overall lack of exploration rewards - the big area feels as empty as a small mansion: it's big, nice and looks great at first glance, which I have to give them credit, but the interaction with the environment is very limited and you can only pick up some items and that's it.

    Overall, I don't think this game is bad, but it's just...uneventful, to say the least: something happens, which could lead to something interesting, but in reality nothing has really happened and I felt so underwhelmed when I finished the game because it just stops with nothing solved, nothing gained.

    Do I recommend? At full price no: try to find it at a discounted price and give it a look, although I got mine very cheap and I still don't think it was worth it.    … Expand
  7. Koog72
    Apr 25, 2016
    3
    You leave your 9 to 5 life in the city and decide to become a Firewatch person in Wyoming.
    So you sit up in a fire watch tower with a walkie-talkie speaking to a person called Delilah, she gives you instructions and you walk around the woods looking for things.
    The graphics are pretty, unfortunately that's the only good thing about the game - it's bad, really bad. You walk around the    You leave your 9 to 5 life in the city and decide to become a Firewatch person in Wyoming.
    So you sit up in a fire watch tower with a walkie-talkie speaking to a person called Delilah, she gives you instructions and you walk around the woods looking for things.
    The graphics are pretty, unfortunately that's the only good thing about the game - it's bad, really bad.
    You walk around the woods for hours looking for clues to some mystery. The conclusion is a MAJOR disappointment. Collision detection is crap and this is one of the most frustrating games ever. Did the makers get fed up halfway through and just finished it quick...?
    Save you cash and your time and buy something else.    … Expand
  8. chr1so
    Dec 27, 2017
    3
    I have no idea how this game has a semi-decent rating. It's just a nothing game really. Not fun, not exciting, no action, not really any puzzles. Just a time waster really.
  9. mathteachermike
    Mar 15, 2016
    3
    At this point, when I see the score of an indie (or Indie-like) game, I should subtract at least 2 points for the bias. I understand that those in the gaming industry want the small games to survive (versus the mega-franchises), but it's starting to get ridiculous.

    I'm sorry - Firewatch is just not that good. Maybe I was expecting too much; a legitimate mystery, unique story line or    At this point, when I see the score of an indie (or Indie-like) game, I should subtract at least 2 points for the bias. I understand that those in the gaming industry want the small games to survive (versus the mega-franchises), but it's starting to get ridiculous.

    I'm sorry - Firewatch is just not that good. Maybe I was expecting too much; a legitimate mystery, unique story line or mind-bending puzzles. Instead got a convoluted, nonsensical story and inexplicably poor graphics performance. How can such a graphically simple game have such immersion-braking frame-drop?

    I was sucked into buying this game by all the hoopla regarding it's story and how beautiful it was. Ugh.

    The graphics were interesting and colorful, but the art style was not all that unique, and definitely not worth buying the game for. I never got immersed in the main character (which I should have given we have many things in common) or the story, and the game play was little more that walking around - or rather walking down a very limiting path that takes you to the next point in the story (i.e. not open world or even really open world-ish).

    Wait for a savage summer price-cut (I'm thinking PSN will probably have it on sale by then for $4.99) before buying it. If not, don't say I didn't warn you.    … Expand
  10. Doctor_Huw
    Dec 31, 2017
    2
    Despite visual quality for a low-budget game and a story that can grab you, game play is slow, clunky and erratic. Worst of all, odds are excellent that you'll get trapped in the buggy geometry. You fall between rocks, for example, and the only way out is to restart the game from the beginning. It just isn't that good.
  11. Kryss_Everson
    Dec 26, 2021
    2
    Big disappointment. No gameplay, no life in a forest?! The story pushed me to continue until I finished it and got more disappointed. Avoid thi joke.
  12. tdebug
    Mar 27, 2016
    1
    This game almost completely lack a story. It pretends that story is so rich through all the talking (btw answers do not change the gameplay anyhow) and even tease player with some story elements, but in the end tells nothing. A walking simulator as is. Do not waste your money.
    If you want to spend your money on PNS game, buy SOMA - graphics may not be very beautiful, but the story is so    This game almost completely lack a story. It pretends that story is so rich through all the talking (btw answers do not change the gameplay anyhow) and even tease player with some story elements, but in the end tells nothing. A walking simulator as is. Do not waste your money.
    If you want to spend your money on PNS game, buy SOMA - graphics may not be very beautiful, but the story is so rich that most of the 60€ games do not have.    … Expand
  13. Stokly00
    Dec 22, 2022
    1
    This game is absolutely terrible. The characters are dull and uninteresting, the script is cliched and unoriginal, and the walking speed is painfully slow. Even if you are a fan of slow-paced games, this one is just too slow. The graphics and sound are passable, but that's about it. The game just doesn't have anything to keep you invested. All in all, I would highly recommend avoiding this game.
  14. PeaceWalker
    Sep 15, 2017
    0
    Its not a game but a boring walking simulator with an ugly orange visual tone and zero player choice. Also, its made by an SJW developer that supports censorship so thats something you should consider. Flushing your money down the toilet would be interesting than getting this.
  15. soulassssns
    Sep 11, 2017
    0
    Horrible game. Would not recommend even if GameStop was handing out copies for free at the door. Plays like it was developed by blind children of questionable mental capabilities.

    You are welcome Sean Vanaham. Next time learn to not abuse the DMCA features on YouTube like a child.
  16. AlphaRebel
    Sep 13, 2017
    0
    So didn't really pay much attention to this game when it got launched (watched the TB vid etc) unfortunately while the hypocritical dev wanted all the free publicity from LetsPlays etc even to the extent of putting an explicit permission page on their site, they are clearly morally bankrupt enough to abuse DMCA in order to punish a content creator who has said something to upset them nowSo didn't really pay much attention to this game when it got launched (watched the TB vid etc) unfortunately while the hypocritical dev wanted all the free publicity from LetsPlays etc even to the extent of putting an explicit permission page on their site, they are clearly morally bankrupt enough to abuse DMCA in order to punish a content creator who has said something to upset them now that his vid is of no benefit to them but they can still try and destroy the career of those who helped promote their wares.

    The TL;DR is for anyone planning on doing business with this developer or covering their games in the future is DON'T! - THIS DEVELOPER IS UNTRUSTWORTHY and you cannot believe anything they say so you put your business and revenue at risk if you engage with them .    … Expand
  17. MrWarMachine
    Sep 11, 2017
    0
    I can't recommend buying this game as the developers are attacking the livelihood of youtubers (Felix Kjellberg AKA Pewdiepie) who they have deemed to be racist for saying a racial slur on stream (not even streaming firewatch at the time) by filing DMC claims against them and encouraging others to as well. As if racial slurs aren't common place in competitive gaming and various forms ofI can't recommend buying this game as the developers are attacking the livelihood of youtubers (Felix Kjellberg AKA Pewdiepie) who they have deemed to be racist for saying a racial slur on stream (not even streaming firewatch at the time) by filing DMC claims against them and encouraging others to as well. As if racial slurs aren't common place in competitive gaming and various forms of music.

    They have also been banning and censoring people on their various forums for discussing this issue as well.

    I refuse to support this behaviour from game developers and I strongly encourage you to as well.    … Expand
  18. traskular
    Mar 27, 2018
    0
    Lead up, build up, for nothing. I don't feel good, I'm not sure I had a good time. There is no ending, don't waste your time :(
  19. SIPPIO
    Jan 13, 2018
    0
    This game is a scam.....
    There's plenty better options that are even cheaper..
    This game NEVER goes on sale for anything substantial...

    Not a coincidence..
    And the character of the Devs are also NOT a coincidence...
    DON'T BUY!
  20. inaneHELLRAISER
    Feb 9, 2016
    0
    Played it for about 10 minutes on ps4 and cant deal with he performance issues. Will make you sick with its fluctuating frame rate. Avoid this game until they properly patch it. WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE BEFORE RELEASE.
  21. Trunkis
    Sep 22, 2017
    0
    This is a really flawed game.
    Overhyped to kingdom come.
    Not worth your money.
    The best way to sum up this game is - Good Marketing campaign, Dud game.
  22. GetToThaChoppa
    Sep 14, 2016
    0
    I'm not against story-driven games but this was terrible. You have to listen to some incredibly sarcastic (not good sarcastic, irritating sarcastic) woman shamelessly flirt with a guy who is trying to piece his head together after his wife takes ill, all whilst meandering around a charmless terrain with framerate glitches galore.

    Also, the guy who wrote this must be some kind of sick    I'm not against story-driven games but this was terrible. You have to listen to some incredibly sarcastic (not good sarcastic, irritating sarcastic) woman shamelessly flirt with a guy who is trying to piece his head together after his wife takes ill, all whilst meandering around a charmless terrain with framerate glitches galore.

    Also, the guy who wrote this must be some kind of sick freak. From the two games I've played of his, it appears he takes enjoyment from writing dead children into his games. WTF is that all about?    … Expand
  23. al1en
    Feb 12, 2016
    0
    hasnt been tested properly before release, i experienced a gamebreaker bug at day 77. not amused...

    other than that its just another Walking Simulator, nerdy Story, nerdy Humor, Zero gameplay
  24. Raveren
    Sep 14, 2017
    0
    A game so good, it's developers will censor your free speech like they censored the free will of the main character. Make no mistake, do not attempt to play this game on YouTube, you will only be attacked by the creator after bringing them thousands of sales.
  25. JaySilver
    Mar 3, 2016
    0
    This game is the most overhyped piece of trash I have seen in a long time. 20 Bucks for a walking-simulator. Excellent. And the ending is a joke.

    People do yourselves a favour and play REAL GAMES.
  26. Jeenius
    Apr 18, 2016
    0
    This is my first metacritic review. I hate this game. I love story and character driven games, but this game is in no way driven by anything. You wait for it to get good and mindblowing like the raving reviews say, then it starts to get intriguing -- slow, because you're walking everywhere, but at least you want to know whats going on -- and then it completely fizzles out in a rageThis is my first metacritic review. I hate this game. I love story and character driven games, but this game is in no way driven by anything. You wait for it to get good and mindblowing like the raving reviews say, then it starts to get intriguing -- slow, because you're walking everywhere, but at least you want to know whats going on -- and then it completely fizzles out in a rage inducing anticlimax. Just watch a walkthrough of the game instead since it's completely linear and short. If you still want to play the game after that, you probably like playing with rocks.… Expand
  27. ABN
    Sep 15, 2017
    0
    This game is so simple, how could the devs screw it up so bad? Runs terribly and it is super boring. The game is also poorly written by the simple mind of Sean Vanaman. Swing and a miss buddy, try again. Not to mention this joker and his company support censorship. Never again will I make the mistake of purchasing a game from Campo Santo. Don't waste your money.
  28. HPMHS
    Jan 4, 2018
    0
    Piece of crap. Wasted time and money. If you are over 18 i reccomedn you not to buy this game.
  29. billcypher
    Sep 10, 2017
    0
    This game is utterly boring and is basically a walking simulator. I'll admit, the game looks great, but that doesn't make up for the fact that the developers are social justice warriors who try to silence anything they deem as "hate speech." They should be ashamed of themselves. You'd think that someone in the realm of video games would understand the importance of free speech, but I guess not.
  30. seanr06
    Sep 11, 2017
    0
    Bad story, pointless plot. Clunky Mechanics - the whole game amounts to nothing and is not memorable in any way.

    I wish I had never bought this game
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Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2016
70
#70 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 45 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 45
  3. Negative: 1 out of 45
  1. games(TM)
    Apr 4, 2016
    70
    Firewatch is a brief but enjoyable experience set in a stunning and lovingly crafted environment, but there is no real ending – there’s simply the place where you stopped reading the story.
    Read full review
  2. IBTimes UK
    Apr 2, 2016
    80
    Firewatch is a simple game that tells a simple, far from impactful, tale, which approaches greatness thanks to superb writing, acting and design work. Gameplay is kept light and straightforward, but is always engaging – befitting a game that revels in the unique storytelling potential of games. This is a new studio's debut title, but it bears the quality of a product made by a team of veterans who have a great deal more to offer.
    Read full review
  3. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    Mar 31, 2016
    70
    Dares to ask us how we deal with mistakes. It’s a shame the answer it provides is flat and unfulfilling. [April 2016, p76]
See all critic reviews »