Firewatch

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 45,162 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Firewatch Game Cover
A gorgeous, spellbinding game that plays with your thoughts and delivers a narrative throughline that you never see coming. An absolute must for fans of storytelling in games.
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Firewatch is a first-person mystery adventure game set in the Wyoming wilderness of 1989. As fire lookout Henry, you explore your surroundings, communicate with your supervisor over a handheld radio, and uncover a paranoid and suspenseful plot. Your only emotional lifeline amidst the isolation and beauty is the buddy relationship you develop with your supervisor, Delilah.

  • iPad
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  • PC
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  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Linux
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Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 45,162 reviews
story16,570 positive mentions
replayability358 negative mentions
  • story34,012 mentions

    The story of *Firewatch* is widely praised for its beautifully crafted narrative that explores themes of isolation, personal struggle, and human connection. Players engage with a compelling plot centered around Henry, a fire lookout, and his interactions with Delilah, which unfold through dialogue and exploration in a stunning wilderness setting. While many appreciate the emotional depth and immersive storytelling, some critiques highlight a lack of resolution and an underwhelming ending, leaving players desiring more from the conclusion of the story. Overall, it is considered a must-play for fans of narrative-driven games, despite its brevity and linearity.

    • “A short but beautifully crafted storytelling experience that definitely deserves the movie adaptation it's getting.”
    • “The story is beautifully written and the dialogue between the characters reels you in.”
    • “Its stunning visuals, gripping story, and deeply emotional journey make it the best game I’ve ever played.”
    • “Unfortunately, while attempting to do both, it ended up falling a bit flat and leaving a pile of plot holes in the process.”
    • “The story felt shallow and it got nothing to cling on so you get bored and regret paying so much for a walking sim of 2-3 hours where nothing happens.”
    • “The story was well put together and the gameplay had a few bugs but other than that all around good game.”
  • graphics8,325 mentions

    The graphics of Firewatch have been widely praised for their stunning, stylized art style that evokes a sense of immersion in the beautiful Wyoming wilderness. Many players appreciate the vibrant colors and painterly quality, which create picturesque landscapes that are often described as wallpaper-worthy. While some critiques mention minor graphical glitches and a simplistic design, the overall consensus is that the visuals significantly enhance the game's emotional narrative and atmosphere, making it a memorable experience.

    • “The visuals are breathtaking, and the story dives into themes of isolation and personal struggle.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, the story is beautiful too, 10/10.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely captivating; I just get lost in the beauty of the environment.”
    • “Graphics weren't even that pretty, in my opinion.”
    • “The graphics are very outdated and low res; it's a bad 'stylized' map.”
    • “The graphics are simple, but I think they're very beautiful and soulful.”
  • gameplay5,011 mentions

    The gameplay of "Firewatch" is primarily characterized as a walking simulator, focusing on exploration and narrative rather than traditional gameplay mechanics. Players navigate a beautifully rendered wilderness while engaging in dialogue with a character via radio, which enhances the storytelling experience. However, many reviews note that the gameplay can feel repetitive and lacks depth, with a typical playtime of around 3-5 hours, leading to criticisms about its value relative to its price.

    • “Firewatch is a great game with a great story and gameplay.”
    • “Relaxed gameplay that still finds a way to be tense and gripping with its storytelling.”
    • “The gameplay is simple and more of a means to tell the story rather than the drawing factor to play the game, but I think this dynamic works very well for what it is.”
    • “If you don't enjoy walking simulators, know that there's basically zero gameplay outside of listening to conversations and walking, so this isn't the game for you.”
    • “The gameplay is tedious and dull.”
    • “The gameplay is a walking simulator with clunky mechanics, poor and frustrating level design, and nothing of interest beyond the radio dialogues.”
  • atmosphere2,973 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Firewatch" is widely praised for its immersive and captivating qualities, combining stunning visuals, a haunting soundtrack, and natural soundscapes that evoke a strong sense of place and emotion. Players appreciate the game's ability to create a feeling of solitude and tension, enhanced by the well-written dialogue and character interactions, which contribute to a rich narrative experience. Despite some criticisms regarding the story's conclusion, the overall atmosphere is considered one of the game's standout features, making it a memorable journey through the Wyoming wilderness.

    • “The immersive atmosphere and heartfelt dialogue create an unforgettable experience.”
    • “The atmosphere is perfect, the story is well written, voice acting is great, graphics aged well.”
    • “The feeling of solitude, combined with the eerie mystery that unfolds, creates an atmosphere that stays with you long after the credits roll.”
    • “I understand many people are disappointed with how short this is; honestly, I think it is just the right length, any longer and it may have seemed too drawn out, as it is there is just enough 'time wasting' as others have called it to build the atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere grips you instantly.”
    • “The atmosphere was pretty well done; I felt every emotion in the book.”
  • music2,875 mentions

    The music in Firewatch has been widely praised for its atmospheric quality, enhancing the emotional depth of the game. Reviewers noted that while the soundtrack is used sparingly, it effectively complements key moments, creating a sense of immersion and tension. Many players found the music to be beautiful and evocative, contributing significantly to the overall experience, even prompting some to purchase the soundtrack separately.

    • “Music was sparingly used, but every time music started playing, it gave me a chill as it was perfectly amplifying the scene.”
    • “The stunning visuals and hauntingly beautiful soundtrack only add to the experience, making every moment spent in the Shoshone National Forest feel like a step deeper into Henry’s psyche.”
    • “The soundtrack complements the mood wonderfully, adding to the overall immersive experience.”
    • “The music seemed a bit buggy, as sometimes long stretches go without any ambiance, and the cassettes never seemed to work, but that's my only real complaint.”
    • “I was surprised the game is selling a soundtrack when I think I heard two, maybe three, songs during the entire 4 hours.”
    • “The soundtrack is short and the music too generic; it sets the scene nicely but definitely not worth the money as a separate DLC.”
  • emotional2,675 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Firewatch" is widely praised for its deeply engaging narrative and character development, drawing players into a poignant exploration of themes like loss, isolation, and human connection. Many players report feeling a strong emotional attachment to the characters, particularly the relationship between Henry and Delilah, which is highlighted by heartfelt dialogue and impactful storytelling. However, some critiques mention that the ending may feel abrupt or unsatisfying, leaving players with a sense of emotional ambiguity despite the overall immersive experience.

    • “Its stunning visuals, gripping story, and deeply emotional journey make it the best game I’ve ever played.”
    • “The immersive atmosphere and heartfelt dialogue create an unforgettable experience.”
    • “The narrative explores themes of isolation, personal loss, and connection, offering a deeply emotional and engaging experience.”
    • “Incredibly flat and boring story that leads nowhere.”
    • “The boring story with non-relatable characters is the problem.”
    • “Sadly, it ignores every good idea to end up being a very beautiful, very atmospheric, very well voice acted, very boring story.”
  • replayability1,245 mentions

    Overall, the game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, with many players noting that it can be completed in a short time (around 3-5 hours) and offers little incentive to play again. While some mention the possibility of exploring different dialogue options or achieving completionist goals, the consensus is that the linear story and minimal impact of choices significantly diminish replay value. Many reviewers recommend waiting for a sale due to the short playtime and limited replayability.

    • “This encourages replayability to explore different interactions and outcomes.”
    • “The choices the player makes throughout the game can have a significant impact on the ending, making for a highly replayable experience.”
    • “I will note that I have played through the game 3 times over the past couple of years and the replay value is great, with each experience being just as memorable as the past with several options being available in ways to progress with Delilah.”
    • “No replay value whatsoever unless you're wanting to experience the story again.”
    • “I thought this game would have replay value, but after completing it once I never wanted to pick it up again.”
    • “The game is short and has no replay value, as well as having unethical developers, making it not worth the current $20.”
  • humor985 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its sharp, witty dialogue and the engaging banter between the main characters, Henry and Delilah. Players appreciate the balance of humor with deeper emotional themes, noting that the interactions often evoke genuine laughter while also addressing serious topics. However, some reviews mention that the humor can feel forced or inconsistent at times, particularly in the context of the game's more somber moments. Overall, the game's dialogue is seen as a standout feature, contributing significantly to its charm and relatability.

    • “The humor is fantastic and the story is really captivating with beautiful visuals!”
    • “The game is truly made remarkable by their chats, which are poignant, humorous, and occasionally rather deep.”
    • “The dialogue is sharp, humorous, and emotional, making every conversation feel meaningful and impactful.”
    • “It's supposed to be funny but I found it obnoxious, especially since the game's opening establishes you as a middle-aged adult.”
    • “Detestable characters, dry unfunny dialogue overloaded with bland sarcasm masquerading as wit, anti-climactic and unresolved ending.”
    • “Ironically, you are called a big dumb idiot a few times, but unfunny enough that's all you are ever allowed to be, as the game pulls the ejector on your passenger seat, on the cusp of it having any consequence at all.”
  • stability410 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting various bugs and glitches that significantly detract from the experience. Common issues include problematic movement mechanics, unresponsive controls, and buggy achievements, which can lead to frustrating gameplay interruptions. While some players were able to overlook these issues due to the game's engaging story and visuals, many found the overall stability to be a major drawback, often describing it as a "buggy mess."

    • “The game is polished and virtually bug free aside from some weird action animations where the character runs away from what he is supposed to be doing, but they are not that often.”
    • “Its very easy to look at and silky smooth and almost entirely bug free.”
    • “In terms of performance, it's all fine, no issues, no glitches in my experience and the graphics (more so the design) are beautiful.”
    • “The game is a buggy mess, and I constantly had a bug where I'd start walking backwards and had to alt-tab in and out to fix it.”
    • “The only downside to this game is that at certain times it feels pretty unpolished, as certain character movements could get buggy and some terrain loads strangely.”
    • “The game is riddled with bugs; I had to spend over an hour googling and troubleshooting just to jerry-rig the game files enough to run.”
  • optimization367 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some users experienced smooth gameplay, others found the game's performance to be poorly optimized for its graphical demands, leading to frustration during play. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game excels in narrative and voice acting, its technical performance detracts from the overall experience.

    • “Optimization: 10/10”
    • “Good optimization, very stable 165 fps on 1440p-high on a GTX 980 (overclocked).”
    • “The game is well optimized and beautifully designed.”
    • “It's also poorly optimized despite having low-poly graphics.”
    • “The frame rate is pathetic, stuttering all the time and ruining the experience.”
    • “The game is really poorly optimized to be considered a full release game.”
  • character development343 mentions

    Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, particularly in the relationship between the protagonist, Henry, and his supervisor, Delilah. Many reviewers highlight the engaging dialogue and well-crafted backstories that create a strong connection to the characters, although some express disappointment with the pacing and the game's conclusion, feeling that it undermines the character arcs. Overall, the game is recognized as a narrative-driven experience that excels in character development, making it a compelling choice for players who appreciate storytelling over action.

    • “The dialogue and character development draw you in, making you feel genuinely connected to the protagonist and the mysterious world around him.”
    • “From its compelling narrative and rich character development to its stunning visuals and atmospheric sound design, every aspect of Firewatch is meticulously crafted to draw players into its world and keep them captivated until the very end.”
    • “The character development is incredibly in-depth.”
    • “I wish that the underlying narrative behind Henry and his character development aligned more with the external story.”
    • “The plot is disappointing and there's not really any character development to speak of.”
    • “There is zero character development coming from Henry and Delilah; both finish the game exactly as they started.”
  • grinding266 mentions

    The aspect of "grinding" in the game is frequently described as tedious and repetitive, with many players noting that the extensive walking and backtracking can feel like a chore. While some appreciate the engaging story and dialogue that occasionally break up the monotony, the overall sentiment is that the gameplay often requires a significant time investment for minimal payoff, leading to a sense of grinding. Despite its beautiful visuals and narrative, many reviewers suggest that the game could benefit from more engaging mechanics to alleviate the tedium.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “This game is just grinding, that's it.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “The gameplay is tedious and dull.”
    • “The biggest issue with the game is the walking part of the walking simulator–it just feels tedious.”
    • “Walking/navigation can get tedious at times, but the game flows well overall and you can expect to complete it in 3-4 hours.”
  • monetization37 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players feeling it is a blatant cash grab, exacerbated by misleading advertising that misrepresents the gameplay experience. While the game lacks in-game purchases and offers a simpler narrative-driven experience, the overall sentiment suggests disappointment over its perceived lack of depth and the feeling that it was designed primarily for profit rather than genuine engagement. Players express frustration over the disconnect between the promotional material and the actual content, leading to a negative reception regarding its value for money.

    • “It's a simple, narrative-driven game that doesn’t overcomplicate things with a crazy HUD, a ton of weapons, or skills to unlock before you can progress the story. There are no microtransactions, which is refreshing to experience in a game.”
    • “[*][b][u]In-game purchases[/u][/b]: none”
    • “This game isn't for anyone who only plays games for the multiplayer or loves microtransactions.”
    • “This shouldn't have been made into a game at all in the first place, and it feels like a blatant cash grab.”
    • “In all honesty, this lacked potential and could have been better, but it seems the people who made this game were more interested in a cash grab and thought using good animation was enough to make a good game.”
    • “This is the definition of a cash grab.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

Buy Firewatch

Play time

4hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
4hMain story
5hCompletionist
4-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 854 analyzed playthroughs

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