Review

5 Mar

When a game's story is written, the writers typically always have a very clear theme in mind, as a solid bedrock for the evolving narrative. When we as the player, explore the world created for us, we can typically find the themes being highlighted and can either be evident or subtle. Adding in storytelling themes through a passive filter can be a brilliant idea if done right and Firewatch does this very well. The passive filter for Firewatch is the beautiful backdrop and environment we explore. Taking place in 1989, we fill the shoes of Henry, a man who is running away from his broken life into the beautiful wilderness of Shoshone National Forest. The appealing landscape is filled with activities and helps Henry forget about his life that has recently been going to hell.

In a musically perfect Prologue, we get to know a little bit about Henry and his love life and how it has slowly disintegrated until he has had to run away into the forest to get away from it. Henry’s only lifeline is his supervisor, Delilah, a charming and intelligent woman who stays in touch with Henry and helps to make sure he doesn’t go insane from being on his own. Outlined as a simple exploration game, Firewatch could have perfectly been a simple walking simulator and that would have been fine. Instead, the writers decide to take it one step further and create a mystery behind the game’s main narrative that tests Henry’s composure and puts him and the players on edge.

You know a story is good when the direction can put you on as much edge as the characters feel. When finding that Henry is being watched by a mysterious silhouette and it’s made all the more discerning when we begin receiving reports of activity in the forest that could implicate Henry in several crimes. While investigating what is going on, Delilah has his back through every part of it and while there can be certain moments of doubt, her sincerity and trustworthiness, their relationship becomes a brilliant cornerstone of the game’s narrative.

The voice talents of Rich Sommer (Henry) and Cissy Jones (Delilah) help bring these layered characters to life and help them feel more believable and helps the player get attached to them. Through the prologue, we understand Henry’s rough few years of life and Delilah makes an excellent first impression and continues to be an excellent companion to Henry in the isolated forest. As Firewatch continues to wind down and helps the player solve the mystery they are being presented with, it begins to falter towards the final hurdle and while the payoff makes sense from a Narrative theme point of view, it sadly ends on a premature note.

The forest itself seems like its own unique character as it is filled with many beautiful locations and hides its secrets that often mirror Henry and Delilah as they seek to uncover an uncertain mystery while not being certain who to trust.

The Verdict

Firewatch’s beautiful environment and well written characters are a fun duo to get to know and being able to understand more about them through subtle and compelling narrative designs like multiple choices and beautifully composed scenes is worth it. At the centre of these 2 characters lies a mystery that instantly presents it self through the very first minutes of the game. Learning more about the life of the people in the park even though we never see any of them. Even if you don’t get enthralled into the game’s story and I seriously doubt that you won’t, Firewatch makes for an incredibly beautiful video game with a heartfelt.

Main Characters - Henry and Delilah are an exceptional pair and their friendship is what makes exploring the forest so much more enjoyable as finding any type of indication in the park can bring up a dialogue between the characters. The fact that the story can be carried by just these 2 characters also shows how well they are written. - 10/10
Narrative - The theme of letting go is evident throughout the story, and the devs have done a great job at making sure it’s enforced throughout it’s very first frame. The main story helps to keep the player involved through every step and allows us as the player to feel like we are in the middle of an exciting mystery, even if it doesn’t over deliver. - 9/10
Collectibles & Environment - The beautiful forest of Shoshone provides a wonderful environment for Henry to work through his issues of home, without having to worry too much about outside influence. Finding items left behind by others also helps to piece together a history that makes the forest feel like we are not alone.