Firewatch

gets somewhat deep but its mostly just running around

One of those "too deep to be played" kind of games, that all you have to do is walk forward and sometimes choose a dialog. Visual and sounds are good but you can find better things in a movie.

Okay so I played this way back when it first came out on PS4 (and I did a whole LP series on it) it was pretty good and honestly the story was very interesting things got a bit twisty and dark too. The art and graphics are simple yet beautiful. Narration and voice acting is superb. I really did enjoy playing the game. BUT... Okay so I want to make it clear, this game has ZERO replay-ability. It might not seem like it at first, but it actually is a very linear game. And the choices you make in the game affect the story in very little mainly just a few dialogue changes. So like if you get this, don't expect to be getting much enjoyment out of it the second time around. So all in all, its a good game with a very interesting story that has several elements such as dark and bizarre events to mystery and humor. I would almost equate this to an interactive book. Maybe even play it with kids who like stories (but remember there are some dark elements). I am not sure why it is rated M as there is no actual violence, but the dark elements can get... dark. Get it on sale if you can because it really is only good the first time around (maybe play it and then maybe have someone else play it and watch them or something idk). I rated it 4 stars but that's based on that I enjoyed it when I played it, and I don't really have much of anything to like use for comparison but for what it is it's good but only the first time around. Also again this plays like an interactive book in that its linear, easy paced, and no actual like skill is involved beyond figuring out what to do or where to go.

Firewatch made me realize there's beauty and power in not-so-open player character choices. There are a lot of dialogue options, but they don't run the gamut of "good" option to "bad" option. They're all things that Henry (the character you play as) would say, not necessarily something YOU the player might say in context. I didn't necessarily get this at first, which made me feel frustrated by the game's ending. But after sitting and thinking for a bit about Henry's journey, I can begin to understand some of the themes the game was going for; Isolation. Self destruction. Guilt. Campo Santo have given us a carefully crafted world and story for the player to immerse themselves in. This game is certainly not for everybody, but if you love stories and don't mind walking simulators, you should definitely give this game a try.

I really enjoyed this game. The characters, dialogue, and voice acting are superb. The story was engrossing and emotionally compelling. I especially enjoyed the initial hour or so of gameplay, the way they handled the prologue and introduction of Delilah. The game mechanics are simple and unobtrusive, keeping the story in focus. I understand that some have been disappointed by the length or story. That wasn't true for me. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised to play a game over a weekend that was a complete and immersive story, a break from all of the other longer titles I've been playing where the core of the experience is the mechanical loop, and story is either secondary, or runs in conflict with the ludonarrative. I'd recommend this for thoughtful gamers.