[No spoilers]
I really like this game overall.
It's one of thé best games of the past dacade leading up to it.
It has a human focus that are very rare, but it also has a mystery to solve and a clock ticking.
The ending is a bit "rushed" by the developers, and that's a real shame. It seems like bad discisions were made in the final phases developing the game.
But I've played it through three times now, and it's worth every cent, and I really wish that a new game with this setup and vibe is made.
Let's not beat around the bush, almost everyone buys Firewatch because it's absolutely beautiful. While not technically impressive, it has a totally unique and bold aesthetic. It's clean and polished, and those qualities apply to the whole game. The sound design wraps around your head with the sounds of birds chirping and running water. Despite the cartoony nature of the game's look, it always feels like you're actually out in the woods, isolated from the rest of humanity. Firewatch is a brief game only taking me a little over three hours to complete, but it doesn't overstay its welcome at all. When I finished it I felt satisfied like I wanted more but knew it was for the best if it ended now. The story grabbed my attention in literally the first minute and it never really let go. I really felt like my character and I had grown by the end. The game itself mostly involves hiking from your tower to various points in the forest. There isn't any challenge whatsoever. You're given a map but for the most part you'll learn the various trails fairly quickly and be able to navigate the wilderness like a pro. If you're looking for a cozy and relaxing game to get into for a few hours, Firewatch is for you. Be warned this isn't exactly a children's game though, the story does take a fairly dark turn. I also had minor technical issues when first installing the game as various files didn't install and I had to find them on the internet. This was an easy fix though and shouldn't deter anyone from playing.
Firewatch got me hooked right from the start. Its strong focus on people was different and surprising. The visual style, game-play, music, mystery and story all fit together making you get immersed in the game.
It is a little short though and the end comes suddenly, not giving much satisfaction to a well-written story.
Campo Santo did a mostly great job putting this together. The entire approach to its visuals is fantastic and presents the prettiest "walking sim" I've ever seen. Voice acting and overall sound design is great.
The writing is where it falls short, which is why I give it such a low rating. It was a great experience for the first two hours, where a meaningful narrative that developed a hook may just have the entirety of your attention. It's at a key moment where this starts to go awry and you see puzzle pieces falling into place far faster than they did prior. Before you know it, the puzzle is complete and you might be left there like a stick in the mud. Some might find the "human" direction the game takes as something endearing, but I found it to be void of value in both entertainment and meaning.
That's not to say the writing is the only flaw. Gameplay-wise, it doesn't offer a whole lot in ways of interesting things to do. You'll be walking over your previously set footprints several times during your four-to-five hours of playing this game. It's a lot of going from point A to point B. This wouldn't be all bad if the story built up to something more interesting. This game was not the game I remember seeing in the previews they had put out.
I only recommend this game for when it's available at a lower price. It's very short, there's a greater chance you'll walk away disappointed then with most games you are interested in. Gorgeous looking game, though. Be sure to take some pretty pictures. Cheers to Campo for giving it a shot. I hope they invest more time into a conclusion next time around, which I very much look forward to.
