I got Firewatch on sale, and played based on the large number of positive reviews. I played it through and enjoyed the story, finishing just today. I won't spoil anything (alright SOME of my critique is a tad spoiler-ish. You've been warned) but I will say that I left the game wanting a little... more. I wish it was a bit richer - in just about every aspect.

The world and effects are quite pretty and stylized in a cartoon-ish way. The previews give you a glimpse of that, and it's pretty easy on the eyes. It's relaxing and slow paced. The controls are easy, and there were just a few glitches and screen stutters. There was one Supply Box that just shoved me away about 6 paces when I tried to open it. Never got that one open.

The world navigation is pretty linear. Not open world. There are definite boundaries that direct you in the game. Some things where you are thinking "man I should be able to walk over that" you just get stopped. Eventually you come to understand where you can and can't go.

The dialogue with Delilah is interesting... but ultimately sort of shallow. Wish it could have gone a little deeper.

The choices in dialogue you get to make... they felt inconsequential. Like the game wouldn't change much based on how you chose. I might play again and choose completely different choices just to see.

The mystery was fun ... until it wasn't a mystery anymore and it was sort of just ... meh.

I wish the stakes had been a little higher.

I was not prepared for the salty language used throughout the game. Is this how all games are these days? (yes I have been away from gaming for a while). I wish there was a way to "turn off" the profanity. It's definitely R rated. I am an adult - so I can handle it. But I wouldn't recommend the game to kids or family members based on this alone. Give me a way to make it PG and I would.

Ultimately, I got what I feel I paid for - (Winter Mid Week sale). A quick diversion that was fun.

What this game and its makers really have is POTENTIAL. This could easily have a far superior sequel. Firewatch could be just the prologue in a far deeper and interesting story. Devs could take this in any number of directions. My biggest wants? Not in order of importance...

1. Clean up or give option to play a profanity free game.
2. Make it a truly open world. I understand some barriers need keys and quests. Make them real barriers - not something it looks like I should be able to walk or jump over. Anyplace I think I can walk, I should be able to walk.
3. Increase the peril. I would have enjoyed a little more respect for the heights or hazards in the game. Falling to your death is impossible in this game as it is, despite the high vistas.
4. Increase the stakes.
5. Make the threat to our protagonists more... of a threat.
6. Make the relationship more meaningful.
7. Give our protagonists the option for closure given certain choices.
8. Make the choices you make in dialogue more meaningful, even if it means having the story go a completely different direction.

Overall - I am glad I played. Maybe I thought it was something more ... but that's ok. Overall a cool game.

If there's another one that promises more of... all of it... I'm in.

I got Firewatch on sale, and played based on the large number of positive reviews. I played it through and enjoyed the story, finishing just today. I won't spoil anything (alright SOME of my critique is a tad spoiler-ish. You've been warned) but I will say that I left the game wanting a little... more. I wish it was a bit richer - in just about every aspect. The world and effects are quite pretty and stylized in a cartoon-ish way. The previews give you a glimpse of that, and it's pretty easy on the eyes. It's relaxing and slow paced. The controls are easy, and there were just a few glitches and screen stutters. There was one Supply Box that just shoved me away about 6 paces when I tried to open it. Never got that one open. The world navigation is pretty linear. Not open world. There are definite boundaries that direct you in the game. Some things where you are thinking "man I should be able to walk over that" you just get stopped. Eventually you come to understand where you can and can't go. The dialogue with Delilah is interesting... but ultimately sort of shallow. Wish it could have gone a little deeper. The choices in dialogue you get to make... they felt inconsequential. Like the game wouldn't change much based on how you chose. I might play again and choose completely different choices just to see. The mystery was fun ... until it wasn't a mystery anymore and it was sort of just ... meh. I wish the stakes had been a little higher. I was not prepared for the salty language used throughout the game. Is this how all games are these days? (yes I have been away from gaming for a while). I wish there was a way to "turn off" the profanity. It's definitely R rated. I am an adult - so I can handle it. But I wouldn't recommend the game to kids or family members based on this alone. Give me a way to make it PG and I would. Ultimately, I got what I feel I paid for - (Winter Mid Week sale). A quick diversion that was fun. What this game and its makers really have is POTENTIAL. This could easily have a far superior sequel. Firewatch could be just the prologue in a far deeper and interesting story. Devs could take this in any number of directions. My biggest wants? Not in order of importance... 1. Clean up or give option to play a profanity free game. 2. Make it a truly open world. I understand some barriers need keys and quests. Make them real barriers - not something it looks like I should be able to walk or jump over. Anyplace I think I can walk, I should be able to walk. 3. Increase the peril. I would have enjoyed a little more respect for the heights or hazards in the game. Falling to your death is impossible in this game as it is, despite the high vistas. 4. Increase the stakes. 5. Make the threat to our protagonists more... of a threat. 6. Make the relationship more meaningful. 7. Give our protagonists the option for closure given certain choices. 8. Make the choices you make in dialogue more meaningful, even if it means having the story go a completely different direction. Overall - I am glad I played. Maybe I thought it was something more ... but that's ok. Overall a cool game. If there's another one that promises more of... all of it... I'm in.