Firewatch

[Crazycanuck1985]

Just picked this up yesterday. I believe it is on PS4 and PC. $20 bucks. What an outstanding game. It's not a typical video game, as you just walk around and interact with things as the story progresses. No guns, no puzzles...just a really good story and some of the best voice acting you will every hear in a video game. Also, the graphics are stunning and I loved wandering around in the Wyoming wilderness in mid-summer.  I was hooked after 5 minutes and actually ended up finishing it in one sitting last night (it's only a 3-5 hour game). It is very similar to Gone Home (if you have played that one). The ending to this game is the only thing that let me down a bit, but it didn't ruin the experience.

It's similar to purchasing an outstanding book that you just can't put down. If you are into a narrative-driven story/adventure game, you will love Firewatch.

[bentfivewood]

Feb 10, 2016 12:31:45 GMT -5 Crazycanuck1985 said:

Just picked this up yesterday. I believe it is on PS4 and PC. $20 bucks. What an outstanding game. It's not a typical video game, as you just walk around and interact with things as the story progresses. No guns, no puzzles...just a really good story and some of the best voice acting you will every hear in a video game. Also, the graphics are stunning and I loved wandering around in the Wyoming wilderness in mid-summer.  I was hooked after 5 minutes and actually ended up finishing it in one sitting last night (it's only a 3-5 hour game). It is very similar to Gone Home (if you have played that one). The ending to this game is the only thing that let me down a bit, but it didn't ruin the experience.

It's similar to purchasing an outstanding book that you just can't put down. If you are into a narrative-driven story/adventure game, you will love Firewatch.

Ya, I played Gone Home and was intrigued by it. Definitely not what I expected. I looked at some video from Firewatch and I agree that it looks great and has great voice acting. May check this out at some point.

[blueorfe]

I enjoyed this game too.

The engaging storyline kept me hooked throughout. It wasn't until the final third of the story that you knew what was really going on. I had all sorts of things going through my head as to what was really happening.
As you said, the ending was a little disappointing but it didn't spoil it for me.

[uberanto]

Absolutely loved this game too. I didn't really know what to expect as I just took the plunge based on a few people saying good things about it, but I found it to be full of heart and character, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The cartoon-esque graphics worked very well too, I thought - a very refreshing change from the photo-realism that tends to be the staple of most modern games.

[veral42]

I've heard very mixed reviews on this game, including from the company itself. Many people have complained about the linear nature of the ending, and the fact that it simply lacks impact for a narrative walking sim, this is understandable in the recent wake of masterpieces such as Gone Home, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, and The Raven: Legacy of a Master Thief. Of particular note is the developers themselves questioning the ending of the entire story and if it was "good enough". For any narrative oriented piece such as Firewatch the ending has to be absolute, it cannot leave anything lacking that breaks the player's immersion to the game or makes them question the choices they're making. Many people I know who liked this game love it and won't hear anything different. Those who didn't are a bit more tempered. If nothing else it's convinced me to buy Rainbow Six: Siege and a new HTC Vive system before looking at this as an addition to my adventure game library.

If you enjoyed this game take a look at the following:
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
realMyst
Kairo
Shadowgate
The Room
The Raven: Legacy of a Master Thief
Miasmata

[joegolferg]

Will definitely play soon. Story games are my number 1.