Firewatch

 Xbox One
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

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  1. 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
  2. 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), 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 theseI 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.… Expand
  3. 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
  4. 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.
  5. ABN
    Sep 15, 2017
    0
    Sub-par quality game from a company that supports censorship. This game should be shareware...yes, it is that bad. It is nothing but a poorly written interactive story from the simple mind of Sean Vanaman. This game is a snooze-fest. Don't waste your money.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.

    Also, the game wasn't that interesting. Very predictable and redundant. Nothing new to be had here IMO.    … Expand
  8. SIPPIO
    Jan 13, 2018
    0
    Absolute CRAP!
    Don't waste yo time..
    Ethan Carter,,Gone HOme, Her Story are all cheaper yet better..
    *The creators are bad people which does matter..Look @ how you/we feel about Bungie & EA.
  9. takjar
    Apr 29, 2022
    4
    This is just an ok indie game.
    No logic why this game has so much hype attached to it
  10. B-Bog
    May 26, 2019
    4
    Wasn't really worth the 20 bucks for me. I was intrigued by the concept and thought it was kind of like one of those "choose your own adventure" books, but the problem is this: Your dialogue choices don't actually make ANY difference story-wise. Which sucks, because those are the only choices you have in this game. The gameplay consists entirely of talking to your superior, Delilah (whomWasn't really worth the 20 bucks for me. I was intrigued by the concept and thought it was kind of like one of those "choose your own adventure" books, but the problem is this: Your dialogue choices don't actually make ANY difference story-wise. Which sucks, because those are the only choices you have in this game. The gameplay consists entirely of talking to your superior, Delilah (whom you never get to see), on the Walkie-Talkie, while walking through the national park and following her instructions.

    The visuals are pretty, but they're not so earth-shatteringly amazing that they could justify how incredibly laggy this game is on a regular Xbox One. Add to that a really short play-time with no real replay value and a VERY underwhelming climax and you've got yourself quite a mediocre experience. There were definitely moments in this game where I was enjoying myself and thought this could get really cool, but I was ultimately let down at the end.    … Expand
  11. LastHope17
    Dec 23, 2021
    0
    Meh. Tried it and it's clearly just going to be a depressing game. Also no options for motion blur on consoles, why!?
  12. Nerevarinho
    Jan 16, 2022
    3
    Pure psychological test. They collect data on how people would behave on certain circumstances. Game started interesting with a sad backstory (but went too long, I taught the entire game consists on taking story decisions and walking for 10 meters sometimes).
    The advisor is so annoyingly immature and b!tchy that it entirely destroyed the emotions built up in the prologue.
    They try to    Pure psychological test. They collect data on how people would behave on certain circumstances. Game started interesting with a sad backstory (but went too long, I taught the entire game consists on taking story decisions and walking for 10 meters sometimes).
    The advisor is so annoyingly immature and b!tchy that it entirely destroyed the emotions built up in the prologue.
    They try to keep you motivated (to tell more about youself, your psychological schema) with cheap tricks like laying bras and woman underwears around, with naked b!tches in the lake, and with a pseudo funny and immature b!tchy advisor. You can even respond to the advisor on the same immaturity level.    … Expand
  13. StubbornStanley
    Jun 3, 2020
    3
    Another instance of me realizing I'm not like game journalists. Within 2 minutes, I knew this game was rotten. It has some of the worst writing in a game that I've ever seen, and that problem is exacerbated by terrible, unrealistic dialogue choices. It forces you to play as a boyfriend who is given two choices for many instances, both of which can make him look like an idiot, whilstAnother instance of me realizing I'm not like game journalists. Within 2 minutes, I knew this game was rotten. It has some of the worst writing in a game that I've ever seen, and that problem is exacerbated by terrible, unrealistic dialogue choices. It forces you to play as a boyfriend who is given two choices for many instances, both of which can make him look like an idiot, whilst trying to preserve the notion of a realistic, highly educated, caring relationship. The "either-or" scenario, such as allowing a significant other to potentially fall into danger or barricading her in her own bedroom, is laughably obtuse.

    The graphics have been overstated, as well. Nature looks good. Man-made objects and environments do not. For example, I bet many will be taken aback by the initial parking garage and elevator scene. It looks like Nintendo 64. Man-made contrast with naturescapes in a very unpleasant manner.

    Overall, the game does have a premise that could have been quite gripping. However, to pull off this type of game, the writing needs to be smart and mature.

    Yet another media darling fails to live up to the hype.    … Expand

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. 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]
  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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
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