This could well be a movie - relatively short for a game, without much of a gameplay except for walking and choosing dialogue lines. What it gains from being a game instead of a feature film is the stronger identification with the protagonist - the difference between "I observe the protagonist looking at a distant lake" and "I stop and stare at distant lake for a moment, taken aback by its beauty". The game does a great job at keeping you immersed in the world - from the visuals, through non-invasive music that sets the mood very well, to good (great by game standards) voice acting. My only gripes were small things, like not being given enough time to choose an answer at times, or the day ending upon finding a note without giving you time to read it. Other than that, the design is solid. Firewatch is best treated as a 4-5 hour long film in which you get the chance to actually experience the protagonist's feelings, instead of just watching him.
