Firewatch

Press StartEwan Roxburgh

10/10

It tells a beautifully crafted, character-driven, engaging story with impeccable pacing. It’s deeply reflective and thought provoking, not only in the context of its characters and their situations, but in a broader context of player interaction with video games. It involves and engages players to greater affect than many of its predecessors in the experiential sub-genre, and does so with astonishing presentation.

Gaming NexusRandy Kalista

9.5/10

Even better than presenting its dangers, Firewatch presents the threat of danger. This is no feel-good summer beach read; this is a brutally beautiful and fragile story of people running from their problems—and problems running away from any tidy conclusions. This is the video game equivalent of a page turner, and adventure games have rarely been in finer form.

Nintendo World ReportJordan Rudek

9/10

Like with other narrative-heavy video games, knowing too much of the story going in is likely to color your enjoyment of the game and change how it resonates with you. Even though it came to other platforms over two years ago, Firewatch is a game that has always been on my radar, and after playing through it, I regret that I waited this long to do so. Firewatch has an affective and engaging story that draws you in, and I couldn’t put the game down after the halfway point. What initially seems like more of a relaxing walking simulator becomes something more consequential and dire. Anyone inte…

Nintendo LifeDom Reseigh-Lincoln

9/10

It really doesn’t matter that Firewatch came out over two and a half years ago, because it’s just as engrossing and enchanting as it was the first time around. From the warm glow of its forests in the morning summer light to the subtle tension of exploring a rocky gorge in the isolating silence of night, Shoshone National Forest is a character in its own right. With a story that’s both funny and heartbreaking – and enhanced by some brilliant performances by its two central actors – this is an essential purchase, irrespective of whether you're playing it for the first time on Switch or simply u...

CGMagazineJed Whitaker

9/10

Firewatch is narrative-driven adventure game dealing with adult issues in ways unlike any other game out there, and is one of the best looking games so far this year.

The OuterHavenJason Kwasnicki

I’ve tried to stay fairly vague with this review because, like a movie, watching the tale unfold and feeling the emotions in the moment is half of the fun. The other half will be talking with your friends about those moments and your choices, like that one part where I stole a girl’s radio and hiked all the way back to the post with it while Delilah made fun of the music that was playing. If “walking simulators” aren’t your thing, this may not be a fit for you. I wasn’t a fan of the genre before playing Firewatch, so maybe it might change your mind as well. It is hard to make the call as a cri...

Steam Deck HQNoah Kupetsky

8/10

The forest is strong with this one. Apart from minor framerate hiccups and average battery life, Firewatch is a fantastic fit for the Steam Deck.

Digital TrendsPhil Hornshaw

“Firewatch goes for a walk in the woods and gets lost along the way.”

Video ChumsMary Billington

4.5/10

Firewatch prides itself as a game with a unique setting and story. It follows the life of a lookout in a dry forest landscape that is perpetually at the risk of wildfires, but does it do enough with this premise to make it a worthwhile experience?

GameLusterSimon Smith

0/10

We all need to escape our problems at time, get away from the world and ultimately be free to live with our own thoughts in isolation. Most of us have contemplated just getting up, packing a bag and venturing somewhere that we can be alone without any concerns, obligations, or worries, to be free and escape, and that is what Firewatch is mostly about.

KeenGamerAlex Logue

Unscored

Campo Santo's debut indie game is a joy to play from start to finish. However, the game does suffer from minor issues that does hold it back from being the one of the best indie titles around to date. While little is known about the newcomer developers, they manage to deliver an adventure game with an intriguing storyline, stunning visuals and characters that are relatable and humerous. If Firewatch is anything to go by, then Campo Santo is definately a studio to look out for in the future.

Sirus GamingLexuzze Tablante

Unscored

Overall, Firewatch is a game you want to spend time in if you just want pure conversation and story. The narrative is what makes this game great even if it’s a 5 to 7 hours of gameplay. And if you want to have pure adult-rated amusing conversations and jaw-dropping views of landscapes, then Firewatch is the game you definitely need to try out.