Firewatch

 Xbox One
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. IGN
    Sep 20, 2016
    93
    It is among the very best of the first-person narrative genre, and it reminds us what video game storytelling is capable of in the right hands. It’s a game I can see coming back to every year or two just to revisit its beautiful sights and memorable characters – just like a good book.
  2. XboxAddict
    Oct 25, 2016
    90
    An immersive, and at times eerie, experience. It is the video game equivalent of reading a mystery, suspense, or thriller novel - one that you won’t wish to put down until you reach its' conclusion.
  3. ICXM
    Oct 17, 2016
    90
    Everything other than the technical aspects of the game are so good that I can’t help but heartily recommend it.
  5. High-Def Digest
    Sep 26, 2016
    90
    After finishing Firewatch, I sat in a kind of stunned silence for awhile, the same way I do after watching a particularly powerful movie. It's the rare game that makes you feel something human, something ethereal and difficult to describe. It's not a long game but I finished it in one sitting, completely spellbound. If you are at all a fan of gaming as a method of storytelling, you should probably play Firewatch.
  6. ZTGD
    Oct 11, 2016
    85
    You may not like the story it tells, and you may not feel totally satisfied with the outcome; but when the story is told in such a well crafted manner it doesn’t really matter. Anyone who appreciates a good mystery will definitely get something out of Firewatch; just don’t let your mind race to much, as you may end up feeling a little let down.
  7. COGconnected
    Oct 4, 2016
    85
    This is a definite step up from what PlayStation 4 owners received not too long ago.
  8. MondoXbox
    Sep 24, 2016
    85
    A heartfelt and intimate experience, putting us in the shoes of a fragile man who chose the isolation of nature to escape a great pain. It's more an interactive tale rather than a proper game, but its good story and awesome sceneries make it worth the experience. Too bad for the frequent and annoying stutters and frame-rate drops: it could have used some more optimization.
  9. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Nov 1, 2016
    80
    An atmospheric trip that makes us pine for such amazing characters in all the games we play. [Dec 2016, p.73]
    All this publication's reviews
  10. XBLA Fans
    Oct 13, 2016
    60
    Firewatch is one of my favourite walking simulators because of its engaging script and lasting story, but it is by no means the revolutionary, life changing experience that I had built it up to be in my mind. It's actually more of an ordinary, pedestrian experience, and that is kind of what makes it successful.

Awards & Rankings

20
#20 Best Xbox One Game of 2016
24
#24 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2016
60
#60 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2016

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 181 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 87 out of 181
  2. Mixed: 45 out of 181
  3. Negative: 49 out of 181
  1. allfixxed
    Oct 1, 2016
    2
    I bought and played through the Xbox One version of Firewatch this evening. It froze/hang continuously, every 5-10 seconds (literally), brokeI bought and played through the Xbox One version of Firewatch this evening. It froze/hang continuously, every 5-10 seconds (literally), broke all immersion and made it very hard to enjoy what would otherwise be an enjoyable, well-written game. I persevered, attempting to make the most of the money I just wasted. The freezing continued right up to the end of the game. I've read up on these issues and found that the PS4 version released (seven months ago) in exactly the same state. This tells me that Campo Santo chose to release the XBox version in this unfinished, broken condition. They knew it was broken, and I feel conned. What was the point of this Xbox release? A rushed out cash-grab to fund their movie ambitions? Any company that displays such laziness, incompetence and blatant disrespect for their customers is not worth your time or your money, no matter how "critically acclaimed" their product is. This is the most disgusted I have ever been with a game purchase and the first time I've been angry enough to post a review on here. I won't be recommending this game to anybody. Nor will I be buying another game from Campo Santo again. I certainly won't be watching any of their films. If you really want this game, wait a few months (years?) for it to be patched or get it on another platform, and get it as cheap as you can get it.… Full Review »
  2. 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 haveI 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.

    Also, the game wasn't that interesting. Very predictable and redundant. Nothing new to be had here IMO.    … Full Review »
  3. metadubrev2
    Sep 27, 2016
    5
    super boring gameplay, horrible graphics, just an ok story. really not worth your time. no replay value at all. tedious slow walks throughsuper boring gameplay, horrible graphics, just an ok story. really not worth your time. no replay value at all. tedious slow walks through bad graphics with occasion chirps in from a crazy stalker woman on a walkie talkie… Full Review »
See all user reviews »