Firewatch

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Over the course of the digital revolution, video games have been aiming towards younger demographics. Fast-paced action and online adventure games flood the market every year and rake in the most profits in the game developer community. However, some companies are changing the way people play games by creating more in-depth stories and emotional connections to characters. And, one company, Campo Santo, has completely changed the way stories are told.

It’s not like video games telling stories is a new, they always have in their own way. Games like Call of Duty and Battlefield tend to tread lightly in the narrative section, but go all out when it comes to guns and explosions. However, games like The Stanley Parable, or Gone Home focus heavily on storytelling. And, moreover, these games make the player think about their actions and what drives the characters they play as. These types of games are like books. They envelop the player while they’re in the game, and make them mull over things when they stop. So in terms of books, Campo Santo’s game Firewatch is the very definition of a page turner.

You start off the game in 1989 as Henry, a 31 year-old living in Boulder, Colorado with his wife Julia. Right at the get go, Julia is diagnosed with early onset alzheimer’s disease. At this point, Henry makes a series of difficult life choices that end up with him spending the summer deep in the Wyoming wilderness as a fire lookout. What ensues is a relationship between Henry and another fire lookout, Delilah, who communicate solely by radio. In Wyoming, a series of unsettling events occur, and it leaves you and the characters paranoid. The game dramatically takes a turn and soon delves into a complex mystery that’ll leave the player on the edge of their seat. However, the plot isn’t the only thing that makes the game unique.

Over the course of the game, the player has hundreds of dialogue options, each one will branch a seamless conversation into a different direction. Almost every playthrough is unique because of this, and the player will learn more about the story if they play their cards right. The way the dialogue works between the two characters had a lot of thought put it into it because it’s so crucial to the game. What you say affects how Delilah interacts with you, or what information she gives you. If you’re willing to share information about Henry, then she’ll share stuff about herself. Or, if you decide to not talk at all, she’ll do the same. Sometimes, if you wait too long to respond, the conversation might end, and can move onto another topic. If you annoy her she’ll step away from the radio for awhile; virtually everything affects the conversation. Hands down the dialogue was the highlight of the game.  

Secondly, the thing that makes Firewatch stand out is the graphics. The majority of mainstream games go over the top to make their game look as realistic and stunning as possible. Unlike the rest, Firewatch keeps it simple. As you play you feel like you’re in a comic book story or a cartoon of sorts. Campo Santo didn’t try to make it too flashy or realistic. The art style fits the game well, and creates beautiful landscapes without straining your computer or game console. But, there have been several performance issues present as well.

When the game autosaves or reaches a checkpoint, there is a noticeable chugging. The game’s frame drops dramatically, or freezes up entirely, but only for a second or two. Overall, it doesn’t really affect the game, but it does ruin the immersion. At one point you’re completely sucked in, walking through the woods talking over the radio, and then all of a sudden the game has a huge lag for several seconds. Besides the frame drop, there are only a few other issues; some clipping occurs when you pick up items, and sometimes you might find yourself stuck in a tree or rock. But, the game breaking glitches I encountered only happened a fraction of the time.
All in all, Firewatch is great game. You’ll find yourself immersed in the story rather quickly, and enjoying everything the game has to offer. The storyline and dialogue are complex and natural, and the mystery element of the game will make your mind race. The few issues in the game occur very rarely, and don’t really detract from the overall experience. So, if you’re looking to take a break from blowing up communists and slashing zombies, get yourself a copy of Firewatch.