Firewatch

Even though the game positioned as 'adult' with the swearing and the story, I played it with my kids and they enjoyed it. They like outdoors and this game resonated with it. There is a bit of motion sickness aspect to the game, especially around climbing, but we got used to it pretty quickly. The visuals are pretty good. We enjoyed running around and looking at the map and compass and figuring out where we need to go. It is a story, not so much a game, so don't look for action, look for a bit of exploration, dialog and story. The game is also not very long, but I don't see that as a problem. Good: visuals, story, dialog, atmosphere, family game. Could be better: probably many things, but I can't really say anything specific. If you just try to enjoy the game as light experience and don't really expect too much from it... definitely NOT for the folks playing multiplayer shooters. :) P.S. Remove head bobbing from the settings and you only get trouble while climbing.

"Firewatch" will be added to my very short list of games that triggered my emotions and left me thoughtful after I completed them. The other titles in this list include "Unreal: Return to Na Pali" and "Control". I believe that this experience depends on the player, so others may feel differently, but I would definitely recommend trying it yourself.

I gave Firewatch 4 stars because I enjoyed it. I would rather rate it 3 stars, but on GOG 3 star games are usually cr*p, so I couldn't do that to this good game. Nervertheless I am dissapointed because it took me only about three hours to play it through. It has been like an interactive indie movie. Not a bad experience, but on the other hand not worth 18.- €. I think 10 - 12.- € would have been a better price. Another drawback is how surprinsingly small this "endless" forest feels. The game is short, but not fast. The most of the time, you will walk and talk. Wich is not a bad thing if you are prepared to listen to the dialouges and try to identify yourself with the protagonist.

What a wonderful experience. What a beautiful discovery. What a captivating story. Life isn't always perfect. I suppose a part of what appeals to us so much, as gamers, is the opportunity for escapism that games provide. Not only do we get to be someone else, somewhere else, but usually we get to be someone powerful and awesome; classic wish-fulfillment fantasy. In Firewatch, we assume the role of Henry, a not particularly super individual; in fact, he seems full of the kind of self-doubt to which it is all too easy to relate. I don't think I've ever heard the phrase "Oh, the humanity!" used outside of a sarcastic context except for Herb Morrison's original utterance, but to me, it is precisely the humanity in this game that makes it so gripping. My favourite games of all time are probably "The Witcher" games, and I have an incredible affinity for Geralt of Rivia, perhaps precisely because he is so much more human (in all his inhumanity) compared to more archetypical hero characters. Henry, of Firewatch, is infinitely human, fragile and fallible, and getting to know him (in which process you'll also get to know Deliliah) was a touching experience. This game is probably not for everyone. There should be enough negative reviews to suggest that you give it a miss and look somewhere else. Properly forewarned by those, you now also have read a review telling you that this game might be just the kind of experience you need. In a sentence, when they say "for mature audiences" and they aren't talking about showing you exposed breasts, they might have had something like this in mind.

This game is beautiful and fun and engaging and mysterious... everything my kids would have loved about it had there not been 100+ unnecessary f-bombs et al. included. Which makes me sad, they would have loved it. The story was also short with some major loose ends but overall I thought it was killer and hoping for more... maybe with a language filter setting next time?