3/5 ★ – JacccBlaccc's review of Firewatch.

Finished: Firewatch Platform: Playstation 5 Pro Time: 3 Hours Verdict: SOLID Word: Firewatch is a First Person Story Driven game. It takes you in the shoes of Henry. After his wife starts getting the first symptoms of Alzheimer and eventually goes back to her parents house in Australia, he gets the job at a Firewatch in Wyoming over the Summer. Where the story of mystery and secrets slowly reveals. The Gameplay is essentially a walking simulation with a few mechanics to pick up loot, observe items and interact with its limited world opportunities. That desire of more Gameplay ends up very UNDERWHELMING Non Combat. Non Bosses. Non Enemy Types. The Main Quest Designs are composed of making usage of the Map and a Compass and around the end a Wave Receiver to get from Location of Interest to Location of Interest. You also use the Radio to interact with optional Dialogs to provide or gain informations and especially, to deepen a relationship across watchtowers. At some point you use a rope and an Axe to get to previous uncharted locations. The lack of variations and depths of quests make the Main Quests just SOLID. Non Side Content The Upgrade System is progression bound. Its AVERAGE. The Loot System is mainly progression bound with a few exceptions of interactable items and loot that fulfills no further purpose but to observe em and giving a look into absent Characters. AVERAGE. The Story is the absolute highlight of Firewatch. A SUPERB piece of Art throughout the game. The Plot awakes intrigue but also sadness, laughter and thrilling events. A very GOOD Plot with mysteries to reveal and secrets to solve. The Screenplay is simply AMAZING. From its pacing and length from how you meet the characters, in what state they are, how they develop and grow. When and how its planned to reveal Plot points. And so much more. There is no boredom or any fillers, it feels. All moments are relevant for either the Characters developments or the Plots progression. A pure joy. The Characters are very well put into scenes with facets of relations and compassion and all that without seeing their faces for the vast majority of the game. They are interesting and charming. Even though its a rather small cast, Henry and Delilah being the starring ones, their well written characteristics are the heart of Firewatch. A SUPERB cast of Characters. The Voice Acting brings all the above mentioned points into motion. They animate the Characters vocally to make you believe they exist. GREAT. The Dialogs and Texts binds greatly onto the Characters and Voice Actors. They feel authentic and organic to the counterparts. GREAT. Even though I do feel the World Building is SOLID it doesnt resemble the feeling of a National Park. It lacks the massivenss. The Level Designs are SOLID. You get from point to point organically. Theres no celeverness but they fulfill their purpose to get around without a big hassle. Non CGI / Cut-Scenes. Playing Firewatch in 2024 does have a disadvantage. It doesnt look nice anymore. Maybe in 2016, its release year, the Graphics was something to beheld of, but in 2024 its just UNDERWHELMING. You dont get much Animations to begin with, as its being a First Person Game, but those one you do get is rather UNDERWHELMING The OST is fitting for the entirety of the journey. From relaxing songs to heavy heart beating moments of thrill. GOOD. The Audio Design of Firewatch is GOOD. It tries to capture the nature of a National Park and does a well job. The Price being 2,99€ is theft. AMAZING. For a considered classic story driven game, its shameful it only runs at 30 frames per second, especially on a Playstation 5 Pro. TRASH. Gameplay UNDERWHELMING Combat - Bosses - Enemy Types - Main Quest Designs SOLID Side Content Designs - Upgrade Systems AVERAGE Loot System AVERAGE Story SUPERB Plot GOOD Screenplay AMAZING Characters SUPERB Voice Acting GREAT Dialogs & Texts GREAT World Building SOLID Level Designs SOLID CGI / Cut-Scenes - Graphics UNDERWHELMING Animations UNDERWHELMING OST GOOD Audio Design GOOD EXTRAS Price Tag - 2,99€ AMAZING Technical Aspect - 30 FPS TRASH BREAKDOWN