![]() ![]() The game received generally positive reviews, earning praise for its story, characters, dialogue, and visual style, yet the presence of technical issues and the game's ending were both subjects of criticism. The design draws inspiration from New Deal advertisements by the National Park Service and field research conducted in Yosemite National Park. The game's environment was modelled by Ng, based on a single painting by Moss. The game was directed by Olly Moss and Sean Vanaman, written by Chris Remo, Jake Rodkin, Moss and Vanaman, and produced by Gabe McGill and artist Jane Ng. Over the course of the summer, Henry and Delilah appear to be menaced by unseen forces and have to unravel a years-old mystery. His exchanges with Delilah inform the process by which their relationship is developed. Henry interacts with his supervisor Delilah using a walkie-talkie, with the player choosing from dialog options to communicate. The story follows a fire lookout named Henry who works in Shoshone National Forest. The game was released in February 2016 for Linux, OS X, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One in September 2016, and for Nintendo Switch in December 2018. Through this it gets you invested in a way few games can, leaving your enjoyment dependent on your personal experiences and expectations.Firewatch is an adventure game developed by Campo Santo and published by the developer in partnership with Panic. But these problems are my own and, oddly, knowing I find its resolution disappointing could help you better appreciate its fascinating tale.įirewatch's interactive narrative does everything right - building natural meaningful ties between the characters, story, and world in a way that is completely engrossing. It is a conclusion that leaves me deflated, which is strange after being so invested in Firewatch’s twists that drew me in with their immediacy. While I am completely absorbed for most of its tale, my own curiosity during the climactic moments breaks my suspension of disbelief and causes revelations to fall flat. Towards the end of Firewatch’s five or six hours this becomes especially incongruous with the urgency of the story being told. I pick up and inspect things - that neither Henry nor I have any interest in - through a completionist desire to experience "everything". However, outside of these fluid dialogues, I find myself playing Firewatch too much like a game. This results in my developing a strange urgency to get responses “right” and moments of genuine panic as I worry I may miss a hint or offend Delilah. Enthralling conversations color your perception of events as things become increasingly tense and uncertain. This is the narrative focus of Firewatch. ![]() Suspicion impacts their thinking, causing them to find links within Firewatch’s mysteries and the happenings surrounding them that they may not consider in usual circumstances. This time constraint - coupled with choices that actually correspond to how a real person would react - makes you care about each interaction.Įven with this outlet, the solitary nature of months in the wilderness starts to play on both characters’ sanity. There is no going back, and your responses can alter the tone of the relationship. When prompted, you have a limited time to respond or the conversation draws to an end. This can degenerate into almost mindless pestering with you wanting to hear her thoughts on every little thing - but, when true a choice appears, Firewatch forces a decision. You can direct Henry’s answers on every topic - from deciding what to reveal about his past, to reporting trash. It's a friendship that seems to grow organically, and proves the perfect distraction to Henry's worries. As you explore the open-world she goads you into tasks that you are not 100% comfortable with, but there is a lightheartedness to this that feels believable thanks to the fantastic script and voice acting. ![]() There is a flirtatious antagonism to this relationship from the outset. Your interactions come via a two-way radio, and add drama and direction to Firewatch. Henry’s only company is his boss Delilah. It is vast, yet its winding trails always get you to your destination before you start to tire of the breathtaking vistas. But it is Firewatch's use of scale that is truly impressive. ![]() It is a stunning environment, filled with vibrant colors that change with the sun. As Henry, your only job is to sit out the dry summer in a tiny watchtower and be vigilant to signs of fire. ![]()
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