Firewatch isn’t one of those games that got you hooked with groundbreaking and exciting gameplay mechanics, but instead by its narrative and atmospheric, immersive world—taking place in a dense and scenic forest brought to life and stylized by the stunning art style, with every frame being screenshot-worthy. A recipe for a very inviting journey, one that is both mysterious and comforting. These are the elements that both hooked the players and also served as the core part of the game as well.


You’re put in the shoes of Henry, who went through years of hard times and tragedies. Who’s out seeking solace and comfort by taking a fire lookout job. As we had a brief glimpse through the years of his life, we already formed somewhat of an emotional connection with Henry. Solely through dialogue options and some images, leaving the rest for us to imagine. The gameplay consists of you, a fire lookout, completing tasks and daily routines with mystery elements sliding in through events that occurred during your time in the forest. The game also featured a character Delilah, who lives in another lookout tower, giving you tasks and guiding you through the process. This is very important as the game is incredibly and intentionally barren and lacks human interactions. With Delilah being your only human companion to talk and share your thoughts with, through very human-like dialogues. This effortlessly forms a connection between the player and Delilah, who’d venture alongside the player throughout the whole game via the radio, a communication device that’d shape and play a very significant role in the game’s narrative overall.


Throughout the story, the story plays out almost like a mystery/investigation game, with many mysteries for us to solve. All of this helps spice up the story and distract us and Henry away from the demons and the ghosts of his memory and hardships that he’s running away from. But ultimately, that still isn’t the main focal point of the story. And the people who assumed it to be, are left disappointed after the ending.

The story wraps up as we finally unearthed the mystery and the whereabouts of Ned Goodwin and his son Brian, while the forest fire marches deeper and deeper into the forest and our vicinity. As we found out the fate of Brian Goodwin and learned about the person who had been stalking us the whole game to be Ned Goodwin, we also learned about how he is very so different than us. After the tragic death of his son, he essentially cut himself off from the outside world and lived on as a hermit in the area, unable to accept the fact, deal with the reality, or even report the incident to the authorities. He served as an extreme example of what the protagonist Henry could be if he chose to run away from his own tragedies completely, just like Ned did in his own. But unlike Ned, Henry still isn’t completely detached from the whole point of this temporary escapism holiday away from his problems. And ultimately, as the story wraps itself up, Henry and Delilah who both came here to run away from their own tragedies, choose to go on their separate ways and back into dealing with their own demons. In the end, depending on your perspective, Henry would realize and eventually go back to face reality, rather than keep running away from it.


The ending, while seemingly disappointing and unfulfilling, is ultimately the whole point of it, and the story as a whole. Something that some players do forget. Henry chose to take the job as a way to seek solace somewhere away from all the chaos that he couldn’t bear any longer. And those who thought the game would end up with a happy ending, with two of them getting together and flying away in a chopper into the sunset, would end up being disappointed. As no matter how good their chemistry and relationship they had, or could potentially be in the future. There is still the elephant in the room being both of them deciding to go back to fighting their own battles. And especially for Henry who's left with a lesson and a newfound motivation to go back into it. And in the end, no matter how blissful escapism is, deep down we all know that it never lasts. All of this is being the ultimate lesson for Henry, but also for us players who probably got the game to run away and seek solace from the chaos of the real world as well.


The story is exceptionally well narrated, while not very complicated or groundbreaking, it certainly don't need to be in order for it to be great. And even if we pushed the story aside, this is still a solid walking simulator with an very well crafted environment and a solid art style. I personally picked it up on sale for just over a dollar, and honestly I think the game would still be worth it in its full price.

An absolute gem of an indie game, although its not a hidden gem, it is very well deserved of its recognition and the sales and reviews already speaks for itself. A short, bittersweet and memorable ride. And though it is kind of a one-time experience, it certainly isn't a story that is designed to be replayable. And besides, it only took one playthrough to get its message across loud and clear.