Agreed. Firewatch's biggest strength is how real it is. The voice acting, the work, the plot points... everything. Reality is messy, and more often than we like there are no perfect endings. Firewatch not having one is the ONLY proper way to finish this game, imo.
@@AredioVani Thanks for the suggestion! I always love playing my games like that. First thing I did when playing Breath of the Wild was turn off the minimap.
A really great game that subverts expectations of murderers and government conspiracy to something much less fantastical but much more grounded and real, which helps the message of facing your problems to really hit home and feel much more personal. Every character in the game is running away from something. Henry is running from facing his wife, Delilah is avoiding her boyfriend after the murder of his brother, and Ned is running from having to cope with his sons death. It’s a story that needs multiple playthroughs, and the ending is definitely not a bad thing. This game should be a 10/10
It's a shame there aren't many really good ones. This, The Beginners' Guide and obviously the fantastic Stanley Parable are the only ones I can remember right now.
+paussi00 I just played and beat The Vanishing of Ethan Carter and had a really good time with it. It was short, but very enjoyable. And it's probably one of the prettiest games I've ever played.
paussi00 If your talking npc interaction, very little. The story is told through flashbacks and finding clues to what happened as well as some narration from the player character. If you mean world interaction; it's not on skyrim's level of being able to pick up everything you see, but it was enough where I thought it wasn't lacking in that department.
- SHORT REVIEW - NO SPOILERS - I just completed it a few minutes ago , and I really do agree that the ending is a bit if a let down. I explored and walked around a lot more than a lot of people probably would, but the game still only lasted about 7 hours. I know a lot of people are praising the game for its lack of combat, but without any kind of confrontation in that way, the gameplay does just revolve around walking and talking, which is relaxing (the visuals and voice acting really is fantastic)but there really isn't that much else. It never gets dark enough to be creepy (even inside a cave - missed opportunity there IMO), lack of predator/hostile human encounters mean it's never really that scary/exciting, and the only time my heart rate increased was when I thought I might get to actually SEE Delilah. Also, warning, if you are one of those people that finds yourself easily attached to fictional characters (E.G Elizabeth in Bioshock Infinite, or your partner/companion in Fallout 4), you're gonna leave the game feeling a little heartachey, since your only interaction is over that radio, and also it's a game... Overall it was a really great experience, but its short length, anticlimactic story, and lack of many interesting gameplay features make it more of a £6-10 ($10-15) sort of game, not a £15 ($20) and unless you really want it right now, I would recommend holding off until you can get it on sale, because then it would be REALLY worth it. If anyone has any questions, I'd be more than happy to answer them :)
The game is amazing and I learned to love the ending, sure it wasn't like most other games, it didn't have a breathtaking reveal, but that's what I love about it, IT'S REALISTIC. It's not a fantasy and movie like story, it's supposed to be like the real world and it really shows, it's something that can really happen. I was bummed out when the game finished but the more I thought of it the more I admired the writing and the overall game. Kudos to the developers and voice actors, they made this game feel like it's dripping the word "human" from every crack.
Do people really not appreciate the ending? Without any spoilers, not EVERY ending should be a satisfying one. This game is an experience and imo the ending fits it really well.
just beat it. and at first, like everyone else, i felt that same feeling. Like thats it? but the feelings i got along this journey stuck with me so much I couldnt stop thinking about this game. And knowing the story I think the ending is perfect.. They are all trying to run away from their problems. And the end is just a dull boring reminder that there is no adventure conspiracy. You have to go home.. Or you'll end up crazy like Ned. Henry runs away from Julia. Delilah from commitment. And Ned from Brian. Really cool game.
I bought this game on Friday night after having a stressful week as well as a lot of personal issues. This game was the perfect escape... Although I found the ending to be quite underwhelming, I felt like the narrative as a whole circled itself very maturely. The game stayed true itself; meaning that you remained isolated for the entire game without facial interactions, which supported the game's concept and premise well. I also cannot stress enough about the amount of times I had to stop in awe just to soak in the beautiful environment... Great review IGN. A lot can be said about this game, but I feel as though it's best to let each individual experience it by their own terms.
So I LOVE story mode games....don't NEED the violence, don't NEED the guns to have fun and this game was a great change of pace. IMO this was a game with a GREAT story....could you guys recommend any other games on PC that you would also say has a GREAT story? (Not saying it can't have violence and guns lol just that it doesn't have too)
The Journey is more beautiful than the destination, and this journey was truly amazing. The audio and visuals are soothing. There is a deeper meaning to this game, it's not what it looks like, the real story requires a mature audience. 9/10
+Mike Pipher if I enjoy a game because it has good story, characters and not too difficult gameplay I get my girlfriend to play it, I will probably get her to play this, she's played brothers and the last of us and enjoyed them
In my opinion, this is one of the best reviews IGN has done. Ryan is great, and has explained every aspect admirably. The game seems pretty great. I'd try it out as soon as possible.
-People who dislike the ending are people who like things to be predictable and don’t like it when their viewpoints are being challenged. -The climax was the moment when the grounded-in-reality truth was revealed, it is anything but anti-climatic. -The reason why these people feel disappointed is that the ending happened outside of their expectations, their previous prediction that they made up in their heads are proven to be absurd and false, and they don’t like it when they’re wrong, the grounded story of the game doesn’t make them feel smart, and these people sure as hell love to feel smart, even without being smart at all most of the time.
Got this for 6 bones on PSN. My son loves it! The back and forth between Henry and Delilah is so effortless, so in sync that it makes you want to go out and meet new people!
paussi00 I know, I just feel like this generation has been really hostile towards indie games, and this year, so many good ones are coming out already!!!
one of the best games i've played in my 15 years of gaming. I was really hoping for a bit more with the ending. But this will definitely be a classic and developers should take note. no guns, combat or really any violence. Sorry kids.
This game is really, really, great. The ending was very anticlimactic, but once you let it sit in your brain for a while you realize that the ending is really what makes the game so great. It's like the ending of the Phantom Pain. It may not be the best, but damn if it doesn't make you think about the game. Seriously get this game. It is great.
I absolutely loved this game. I think that the ending was both anticlimactic, but also right. There was a moment in the game where I actually annoyed Delilah, driving her away from the radio as a moved through the woods. Occasionally, I caught myself looking at just about everything in my path to make sure that I wasn't missing some sort of extra dialogue from my beloved companion. I then realized that Delilah, and the relationship with Henry and Delilah, just so happened to be the best part of the game. I even went back on a save and restarted the whole day, just because I didn't want to annoy her. It's the little things that draw you in to a game, making you really feel for these characters, that when you make them angry, you truly feel bad about it. I think this is what makes the game so beautiful and so haunting at the same time.
This reviewer gets it. It's the power of an emotional connection told through storytelling, and this game really nails it. Games like these have the capability to tell a story we can relate to more than a high budget hollywood production can. And on that merit alone, it deserves all the praise it has received.
A captivating experience that is probably my favorite story and character focused game since The Last of Us. Really short too at around four hours so it was a perfect game for the weekend.
+Jordan Scott Actually it isn't, apparently. It might look like one but you don't actually have to do any of the usual keeping your character alive stuff.
+Future Ruler of Ukraine Not every game needs a challenge. Games like Saints Row aren't challenging at all but are fun because of the expression you are given as a player. You can dress up in ridiculous outfits and kill everything as an overpowered superhero. I hate this false idea that every game needs fail states and challenge or it isn't a game. Yes, obviously games need something. But it doesn't have to be a challenge, it could be a set of systems meant to elicit a certain mood or a virtual place to explore.
I've seen many comments bashing the ending. For me, it was a perfect ending. If you have doubts about playing the game, don't. Just play it. It will be worth it. Spoilers below. Not everything has to be supernatural, or a massive government conspiracy. The theme of the game is guilt. Henry's guilt for abandoning Julia, Delilah's guilt about letting the kid be, and the father's guilt about his dead son. This game is masterful from start to finish. The story is as real as it gets.
@kevin The watch tower was linked with the kid's dad right? ( I don't remember his name now) missing girls were actually found later drunk and gone somewhere right? They had nothing to do with it. The kid's dad just scared them away. But the whole connection to them being related to a grander conspiracy was just a reflection of Henry's guilt.
Anti climactic ending doesn't do this game justice. The game just literally ends. Nothing gets resolved, all that good writing means nothing. Such a disappointment considering how great the story was.
+Travis M (Travis Mitchell) shity game, just moveing character from point A to point B, and go with the flow. No gameplay, and too stupid ending. Don't buy it. It's 7$ game tops.
+Travis M (Travis Mitchell) You call it "open, super-overly artistic ending that leaves a space for player to think over it", or just "making mysteries for the sake of mystery".
+Travis M (Travis Mitchell) I feel like you and so many other people are just repeating something you've heard someone else say as if you were a parrot
+Travis M (Travis Mitchell) Yeah the end of the story wasn't the end of an arc where you get to understand Delilah and Henry and their flaws, it was literally just the last thing to have happened that summer. It's hard to get attached to a twenty sided die you find in a drawer when the guy whom you're playing as has a wife with dementia and is grappling with guilt. There's no resolution for Henry; he gets to go back to his wife feeling the same guilt and fear that sent him into the woods. Delilah 's exit from the story is basically the same conversation you have on the second day, where she apologizes for overstepping bounds and kinda helplessly tells you to keep going in your difficult situation. There's no arc, there's no resolution, there's no story outside of the setting and environment. On that level it's just a game about the woods and really nothing else
Cant wait for this, been following Campo Santo for a while now. Vanaman's writing is something Im looking forward too and all the work the rest of the studio has put in.
Nice review, just wanted to rebuttal a small critique you made at 1:10 about lack of wildlife potentially breaking the illusion. Having personally backpacked in the Wyoming wilderness for 3 months a few years ago it was crazy (almost weird) the lack of wildlife. Some birds, squirrels and some goats on the Plateaus there it was pretty much desolate of wildlife.
Ryan has been excited about this game for quite a long time now. No surprise it got a very good review. very curious to check it out. he's rarely wrong with his scores
I could definitely understand peoples' frustration with the "anticlimactic" ending. But I think that plays a huge roll in the message of the game, being that we as humans experience emotions, situations, and more that can affect an entirety of what sometimes could be something viewed as being small in hindsight. Sure, you can't change the ending. But I think with the structure of this game, it ends in a super sad and anticlimactic way the forces you to just imagine and decide for yourself what happens in their futures, given all of the information this game gives you as a whole. But I'll be honest. I was REALLY sad and disappointed about not seeing Delilah.
Beautifull game, good music, amazing voice acting, interesting people. Sadly --> Too short, Too expensive, Too little replayability. The ending is 50/50 for me
The ending is just a slap back to reality, they were making a whole history in their heads like if they were in the middle of something big and they were the main characters of some movie, instead they were reminded it's just small histories on the wood, and nothing big
God, if this game would of had a great ending it would of been a game of the year contender. Great score, characters, voice overs, everything. It was all there. When the ending came my brain pooped.
+B Devine I found it very frustrating in a weird kind of way. When I'm near the lake and I can hear ducks really, really close to me and I'm looking around to see where they are and find none. It just pulls you out of the immersion immiedately.
This is the type of game I would have loved to never end. And about that ending... Weird but as a personal ending I loved it. What I didn't like is that mistery which was building up in a very cool and creepy way... had such a mundane uninteresting explanation! Outrageous! It could have been something so much more.
i dont know why all hate it's ending....i think the ending is what that makes this game more emotional and hearttouching FIREWATCH is a unforgettable experience MUST PLAY
I think GameSpot's review of this game is more accurate... It is closer to a 7 out of 10 than a 9 out of 10... It is a cool little game but it is nothing ground breaking...
The constant build up of tension and paranoia without a climax ending is a change of pace from most games. It shows how not all stories "end with a bang", and that's just like real life. Not all stories end with a cliffhanger or satisfying defeat, and this game shows that perfectly.
It isn't. Sure the game looks great, sure the story is awesome, and of course the small dev team worked extremely hard to make it, but in the end, indie dev teams can't (most of the time) create triple A games that have dozens of hours of content. A fair price in my opinion would be 10$ because of the effort the devs went to to make Firewatch, if that. Because of the percentage Valve and Sony are taking from each sale, they had to sell it for 20$ to make any sort of profit compared to how hard they worked on it. (Sorry for long post I can't help myself.)
Jesus this review is piss "Man I didn't like that I had to look at the map, because it made me have to think about where I go" I am he would have loved a glowing gps line of where to go.
Yeah I was wondering how they did that, it's not a small map that you explore, a few frame rate issues though, especially when it saves but really good none the less
Am I the only one who was completely underwhelmed by the ending?.. The writing throughout was amazing, then it just falls short in the last 10 minutes or so.
+kabeltelevizio I do feel like they dropped the ball on the whole "surveillance" aspect. We're supposed to believe that all that was going on was just some crazy woodland hobo? He magically built a high tech surveillance compound out of crap he found laying out in the woods? It felt a little too convenient in a otherwise solid game.
@@mikepipher3347 this is 4 years later so I highly doubt you care anymore but Ned was an army veteran with PTSD who now has the death of his son on his conscience so him going crazy and having knowledge of radio surveillance doesn’t seem far off
+kevstew26 Same. The disappointing ending as well as how the game is only 4 hours and costs $20 brought it down to an 8 for me. Also the ending of the game created plot holes in the rest of the story which is annoying. It's the relationship between Henry and Delilah, the amazing voice acting, beautiful graphics, and how up until the end the mystery was interesting, that makes it an 8 for me.
Anticlimactic endings don't bug me too much. The entire experience made this one of the games I'll cherish forever. The story was gripping all the way through. The ending doesn't take that away from me.
Rj Rj the end is amazing. People are just butthurt that they never get to meet Delilah. This is a game about problems, and how people deal with them, not meeting new people
"these days i tend to enjoy games that are similar to a good book" - best statement of the year
SimpleKhajiit IT really was
Pro trick : you can watch movies at flixzone. Been using them for watching a lot of movies during the lockdown.
9.3/10 "Too much Fire, needs more water" - IGN
+Hans Gruber Made my day!
+Hans Gruber lol
If you're going to quote than quote correcting please.
+Hans Gruber IGN never changes just like its fanbase.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAHHA LMAO
personally I don't think the end was anti climactic, it was very symbolic about how life just has to go on.
You saw her living quarters in the end of the game , that wasn't fake
@@Dullahan_1 you even saw another dude in the chopper at the end.
@@MONTR65 Yeah and the girls at the lake or the flashlight dude during the initial trail
Best comment for 2017 👌
Agreed. Firewatch's biggest strength is how real it is. The voice acting, the work, the plot points... everything.
Reality is messy, and more often than we like there are no perfect endings. Firewatch not having one is the ONLY proper way to finish this game, imo.
If you play this game, turn off the indicator on the map, having to actually navigate and sometimes getting lost made it a lot more engaging and fun.
No! I just finished the game and I didn't know that was an option! I would have loved that :(
+Ghostmonkey747 i would hate that so much
even thou at the end of the game i got used to the place
@@AredioVani Thanks for the suggestion! I always love playing my games like that. First thing I did when playing Breath of the Wild was turn off the minimap.
True :D
I got lost anyway, would've made it too frustrating for me
firewatch is the type of game that i wish carried on and never ended just because of the emotional attachment this game gives you
SPOILER: at the end you find out that you are a storm trooper.
*DUN DUN DUN DUUN*
+E SC you actually find out your a TRAITOR
TR don't die then. He just become This guy.
He's Jason Bourne !!
TRAITOR!!!!
The Witness: 10
Unravel: 8.3
Firewatch:9.3
2016 is a great year for indie games.
And they're all PC and ps4 exclusive.
+Andrew Nelson and why is that a plus?
+Andrew Nelson indiestation 4, people that want real games buy a XBOX One.
+Splendid Pictures Well.......Witness isn't that good but Unravel and Firewatch take the cake.
+Pluwo u got that wrong buddy it's people that want NO games get a xbox
A really great game that subverts expectations of murderers and government conspiracy to something much less fantastical but much more grounded and real, which helps the message of facing your problems to really hit home and feel much more personal. Every character in the game is running away from something. Henry is running from facing his wife, Delilah is avoiding her boyfriend after the murder of his brother, and Ned is running from having to cope with his sons death. It’s a story that needs multiple playthroughs, and the ending is definitely not a bad thing. This game should be a 10/10
wow, there seems to be a lot of good games being released recently
Yeah
+noffingsaphuku on ps4 and pc.
no Nintendo >:
+VNGAMING-TV nintendo is bae
yeah i know, xD i dont own a nintendo, but i left out a even shitier concol, xbone
+Fred fredBurger American Truck Simulator, The Witness, Firewatch... In June there will be No Man's Sky, Lego Star Wars The Force Awakens...
i played this today whole. i feel empty inside...
Visatron I know what you mean
Miguel Francis what do you guys mean
iv.dee when something you enjoy ends its like u dont know what to do next
@@JetBazooka21 just finished it in 5 hours i want a new one
Play what remain of edith finch
This is one of my favourite games ever. It's so well made. The story just grabs on to you, and throws you back to reality at the end.
There is a special place in my heart for this game. And they said games will never be art.. Hah!
I love the American forests so beautiful,
This game actually seems interesting and deserving of its high praise and score. Unlike other "Walking simulators"
*cough* Gone Home *cough*
It's a shame there aren't many really good ones. This, The Beginners' Guide and obviously the fantastic Stanley Parable are the only ones I can remember right now.
+paussi00 I just played and beat The Vanishing of Ethan Carter and had a really good time with it. It was short, but very enjoyable. And it's probably one of the prettiest games I've ever played.
***** How much interaction is there in it? I haven't gotten around to playing it yet.
paussi00 If your talking npc interaction, very little. The story is told through flashbacks and finding clues to what happened as well as some narration from the player character. If you mean world interaction; it's not on skyrim's level of being able to pick up everything you see, but it was enough where I thought it wasn't lacking in that department.
***** Alright, good to know. How's the writing?
- SHORT REVIEW - NO SPOILERS -
I just completed it a few minutes ago , and I really do agree that the ending is a bit if a let down. I explored and walked around a lot more than a lot of people probably would, but the game still only lasted about 7 hours. I know a lot of people are praising the game for its lack of combat, but without any kind of confrontation in that way, the gameplay does just revolve around walking and talking, which is relaxing (the visuals and voice acting really is fantastic)but there really isn't that much else. It never gets dark enough to be creepy (even inside a cave - missed opportunity there IMO), lack of predator/hostile human encounters mean it's never really that scary/exciting, and the only time my heart rate increased was when I thought I might get to actually SEE Delilah. Also, warning, if you are one of those people that finds yourself easily attached to fictional characters (E.G Elizabeth in Bioshock Infinite, or your partner/companion in Fallout 4), you're gonna leave the game feeling a little heartachey, since your only interaction is over that radio, and also it's a game...
Overall it was a really great experience, but its short length, anticlimactic story, and lack of many interesting gameplay features make it more of a £6-10 ($10-15) sort of game, not a £15 ($20) and unless you really want it right now, I would recommend holding off until you can get it on sale, because then it would be REALLY worth it.
If anyone has any questions, I'd be more than happy to answer them :)
@SNYDER glad he answered your question like he said he would. Lol
I have a question about taking pictures, are we going to need it in the future for something crucial or we can just use it as we please?
@@tinmank literally just finished the game and the pictures are only for the credits as far as i could tell
Very helpful thank you
The game is amazing and I learned to love the ending, sure it wasn't like most other games, it didn't have a breathtaking reveal, but that's what I love about it, IT'S REALISTIC. It's not a fantasy and movie like story, it's supposed to be like the real world and it really shows, it's something that can really happen. I was bummed out when the game finished but the more I thought of it the more I admired the writing and the overall game. Kudos to the developers and voice actors, they made this game feel like it's dripping the word "human" from every crack.
If there’s any game where I could erase my memory and replay again for how the story had me GLUED it would be this game!
"Not enough fire" 9.3/10 IGN
Do people really not appreciate the ending? Without any spoilers, not EVERY ending should be a satisfying one. This game is an experience and imo the ending fits it really well.
that's like saying 'not EVERY story should be a satisfying one'
Anticlimactic...
Yeah, that's how life is.
That how the reality is.
the anti climatic ending is realism tho. it was the henry and delilah overthinking things, the brian part was a punch in the gut tho
Also added the she was drunk when she talk to you on your first day and also when she started to flirt on you lol.
I absolutely love this game... But absolutely hate the ending
same
just beat it. and at first, like everyone else, i felt that same feeling. Like thats it? but the feelings i got along this journey stuck with me so much I couldnt stop thinking about this game. And knowing the story I think the ending is perfect.. They are all trying to run away from their problems. And the end is just a dull boring reminder that there is no adventure conspiracy. You have to go home.. Or you'll end up crazy like Ned. Henry runs away from Julia. Delilah from commitment. And Ned from Brian. Really cool game.
m
Jøhnnie bøii this game worth it
I bought this game on Friday night after having a stressful week as well as a lot of personal issues. This game was the perfect escape... Although I found the ending to be quite underwhelming, I felt like the narrative as a whole circled itself very maturely. The game stayed true itself; meaning that you remained isolated for the entire game without facial interactions, which supported the game's concept and premise well. I also cannot stress enough about the amount of times I had to stop in awe just to soak in the beautiful environment...
Great review IGN. A lot can be said about this game, but I feel as though it's best to let each individual experience it by their own terms.
it be nice to play in vr
I loved the atmosphere in this game, very relaxing and even a bit spooky at times. The ending could have been better though.
0:20. Missing Person: Chuck Norris
I'm glad this game turned out good, it looked really interesting. I absolutely adore good storytelling in games, and I wish there was more of it.
So I LOVE story mode games....don't NEED the violence, don't NEED the guns to have fun and this game was a great change of pace. IMO this was a game with a GREAT story....could you guys recommend any other games on PC that you would also say has a GREAT story? (Not saying it can't have violence and guns lol just that it doesn't have too)
Shady Mike Gaming i think you will like everybody's gone to the rapture. im playing it right now and its really interesting. hope u enjoy it :)
Game of thrones tell tale game
The Forest or The Long Dark. Both games are excellent. The Forest in particular seems to have me quite enthralled.
I have yet to play the vanishing of Ethan Carter. I have seen previews for it but have wondered if it would be worth buying.
Try No mans sky. That game has me hooked. Has guns and what-not but it is loaded with fun, story and quests.
"These days I prefer games that are similar to a good book"
Says it all right there. At least you were upfront about it
The Journey is more beautiful than the destination, and this journey was truly amazing. The audio and visuals are soothing. There is a deeper meaning to this game, it's not what it looks like, the real story requires a mature audience.
9/10
"woods you kindly" .. that pun gave me such a shock ¦D
Good game, anticlimactic ending
I liked the ending, it slapped me back to reality.
+Dude Bro I was expecting more of a mindfuck
I really wanted a twist, and I was tense ready and prepared, then the credits rolled... Really enjoyed the game though.
+Sam Rodmell I don't regret buying it, and I enjoyed my time with it but I too felt like I was expecting something more exciting for the ending.
+Mike Pipher if I enjoy a game because it has good story, characters and not too difficult gameplay I get my girlfriend to play it, I will probably get her to play this, she's played brothers and the last of us and enjoyed them
my goodness these comments are horrible when did gamers become so closed minded
In my opinion, this is one of the best reviews IGN has done. Ryan is great, and has explained every aspect admirably. The game seems pretty great. I'd try it out as soon as possible.
-People who dislike the ending are people who like things to be predictable and don’t like it when their viewpoints are being challenged.
-The climax was the moment when the grounded-in-reality truth was revealed, it is anything but anti-climatic.
-The reason why these people feel disappointed is that the ending happened outside of their expectations, their previous prediction that they made up in their heads are proven to be absurd and false, and they don’t like it when they’re wrong, the grounded story of the game doesn’t make them feel smart, and these people sure as hell love to feel smart, even without being smart at all most of the time.
Defying expectations doesn't stop it from being anticlimactic, and not everyone who didn't like it only wants things to make them feel smart.
Or they just have a different opinion
We know what's anti climatic and not.
True mate . Its was more like a bitter truth . Nothing fancy , a thing that happens in reality.
Got this for 6 bones on PSN. My son loves it! The back and forth between Henry and Delilah is so effortless, so in sync that it makes you want to go out and meet new people!
INDIE GAMES ARE MAKING A COMEBACK!!!
Indie games have been going strong for years.
paussi00
I know, I just feel like this generation has been really hostile towards indie games, and this year, so many good ones are coming out already!!!
paussi00
Don't forget No Man's Sky
Michael Tepes
Yup.
Zachary Kemp Well, it isn't out yet so we can't know for sure. It's a really ambitious project for such a small studio.
one of the best games i've played in my 15 years of gaming. I was really hoping for a bit more with the ending. But this will definitely be a classic and developers should take note.
no guns, combat or really any violence. Sorry kids.
This game is really, really, great. The ending was very anticlimactic, but once you let it sit in your brain for a while you realize that the ending is really what makes the game so great. It's like the ending of the Phantom Pain. It may not be the best, but damn if it doesn't make you think about the game. Seriously get this game. It is great.
I got to play the first 2 days, Absolutely loved it so far. Can't wait to see what happens tomorrow!
+TheApexHound more firewatch duty
+TheApexHound heartbreak
What happens when IGN finds a game that's actually good and not just extremely popular.
not all games
I've had this thumbnail as my desktop background for two months and never realised it was a game.
I love this game. Everything about it was amazing. I thought the ending was perfect.
I absolutely loved this game. I think that the ending was both anticlimactic, but also right. There was a moment in the game where I actually annoyed Delilah, driving her away from the radio as a moved through the woods. Occasionally, I caught myself looking at just about everything in my path to make sure that I wasn't missing some sort of extra dialogue from my beloved companion. I then realized that Delilah, and the relationship with Henry and Delilah, just so happened to be the best part of the game. I even went back on a save and restarted the whole day, just because I didn't want to annoy her. It's the little things that draw you in to a game, making you really feel for these characters, that when you make them angry, you truly feel bad about it. I think this is what makes the game so beautiful and so haunting at the same time.
Really surprised by how good this review was, and how totally amazing this game looks
This reviewer gets it. It's the power of an emotional connection told through storytelling, and this game really nails it. Games like these have the capability to tell a story we can relate to more than a high budget hollywood production can. And on that merit alone, it deserves all the praise it has received.
I love this game and I am highly anticipating their new work!
IGN gives a low score - Everyone goes crazyIGN gives a high score - Everyone loves them
A captivating experience that is probably my favorite story and character focused game since The Last of Us. Really short too at around four hours so it was a perfect game for the weekend.
Best part of the game is the song on the boombox
Let’s go to O’l Shoshone
Amazing game. Short but sweet. I was completely immersed in the story. Thank you Campo Santo. Cant wait for the next game!
But seriously, are there any puzzles? Any challenges at all?
The game itself is a challenge, it's a survival game
+Jordan Scott Actually it isn't, apparently. It might look like one but you don't actually have to do any of the usual keeping your character alive stuff.
+Darren C yeah I saw that later on, so this game will be interesting
+Future Ruler of Ukraine Not every game needs a challenge. Games like Saints Row aren't challenging at all but are fun because of the expression you are given as a player. You can dress up in ridiculous outfits and kill everything as an overpowered superhero.
I hate this false idea that every game needs fail states and challenge or it isn't a game. Yes, obviously games need something. But it doesn't have to be a challenge, it could be a set of systems meant to elicit a certain mood or a virtual place to explore.
+Kolbe Howard Games are supposed to challenge you though, otherwise it wouldn't be a game
has a turtle. 10/10 ign
we need firewatch 2 that's continues from the first one. the ending leaves a lot to be desired
I've seen many comments bashing the ending. For me, it was a perfect ending. If you have doubts about playing the game, don't. Just play it. It will be worth it.
Spoilers below.
Not everything has to be supernatural, or a massive government conspiracy. The theme of the game is guilt. Henry's guilt for abandoning Julia, Delilah's guilt about letting the kid be, and the father's guilt about his dead son. This game is masterful from start to finish. The story is as real as it gets.
@kevin The watch tower was linked with the kid's dad right? ( I don't remember his name now) missing girls were actually found later drunk and gone somewhere right? They had nothing to do with it. The kid's dad just scared them away. But the whole connection to them being related to a grander conspiracy was just a reflection of Henry's guilt.
This is one of my favourite games of the decade also! Absolutely adored it!
Anti climactic ending doesn't do this game justice. The game just literally ends. Nothing gets resolved, all that good writing means nothing. Such a disappointment considering how great the story was.
I don't regret playing it/buying it, but the ending definitely was lame.
+Travis M (Travis Mitchell) shity game, just moveing character from point A to point B, and go with the flow. No gameplay, and too stupid ending. Don't buy it. It's 7$ game tops.
+Travis M (Travis Mitchell) You call it "open, super-overly artistic ending that leaves a space for player to think over it", or just "making mysteries for the sake of mystery".
+Travis M (Travis Mitchell) I feel like you and so many other people are just repeating something you've heard someone else say as if you were a parrot
+Travis M (Travis Mitchell) Yeah the end of the story wasn't the end of an arc where you get to understand Delilah and Henry and their flaws, it was literally just the last thing to have happened that summer. It's hard to get attached to a twenty sided die you find in a drawer when the guy whom you're playing as has a wife with dementia and is grappling with guilt. There's no resolution for Henry; he gets to go back to his wife feeling the same guilt and fear that sent him into the woods. Delilah 's exit from the story is basically the same conversation you have on the second day, where she apologizes for overstepping bounds and kinda helplessly tells you to keep going in your difficult situation. There's no arc, there's no resolution, there's no story outside of the setting and environment. On that level it's just a game about the woods and really nothing else
Cant wait for this, been following Campo Santo for a while now. Vanaman's writing is something Im looking forward too and all the work the rest of the studio has put in.
One of the Best games of the decade
This is barely a game
To extend gameplay: Disable Autosave, Show Location On Map, and Show "New Goal" Alerts. Enjoy!
Wow, still haven't seen any spoilers for this yet. No one? Not even a troll spoiling it? That's a first.
To be fare there's not that much to spoil
+Mike Pipher The kid dying is one...
Wow.... I wasn't expecting that. You are the best troll. Good job! xD
Nice review, just wanted to rebuttal a small critique you made at 1:10 about lack of wildlife potentially breaking the illusion. Having personally backpacked in the Wyoming wilderness for 3 months a few years ago it was crazy (almost weird) the lack of wildlife. Some birds, squirrels and some goats on the Plateaus there it was pretty much desolate of wildlife.
Story focused game without a satisfying ending? Yeah...I'll pass.
Infamous Loonatic Because I don't like unsatisfying ending? lol what logic is that?
Infamous Loonatic Man, you live an exciting life, bruh. aaahahahaah LOLZ JK !I)! 360SWAG#!YOLO)
Infamous Loonatic "don't call me bro if you don't know me." But....I just did. What now?
Infamous Loonatic Nahh...I'm good.
Infamous Loonatic I like pancakes. ahahahaha!
Ryan has been excited about this game for quite a long time now. No surprise it got a very good review. very curious to check it out. he's rarely wrong with his scores
I could definitely understand peoples' frustration with the "anticlimactic" ending. But I think that plays a huge roll in the message of the game, being that we as humans experience emotions, situations, and more that can affect an entirety of what sometimes could be something viewed as being small in hindsight. Sure, you can't change the ending. But I think with the structure of this game, it ends in a super sad and anticlimactic way the forces you to just imagine and decide for yourself what happens in their futures, given all of the information this game gives you as a whole.
But I'll be honest. I was REALLY sad and disappointed about not seeing Delilah.
I saw this game last year at E3 and it quickly became my most anticipated game if 2016. Cannot wait to play it!
Beautifull game, good music, amazing voice acting, interesting people. Sadly --> Too short, Too expensive, Too little replayability. The ending is 50/50 for me
just bought it fon the steam winter sale for $12, worth it for $12?
skifeizzle I'd say it's worth $12
The ending is just a slap back to reality, they were making a whole history in their heads like if they were in the middle of something big and they were the main characters of some movie, instead they were reminded it's just small histories on the wood, and nothing big
Pretty good game ... ending was weird but I definitely enjoyed my time with it
4:06 A Shanaylan twist?: the fire is coming from INSIDE THE HEADQUARTERS CABIN!
Was cool but $20 for 4 hours gameplay? Just finished it. Liked it a lot. But....
+Horse From Hell You would spend double that for a meal in a restaurant, it's probably worth it.
+Horse From Hell Would you rather have it for 30$?
The game looks great.
I have such a backlog at the moment, so I'll just wait for it to go on sale ...
it was worth my 20 bucks, hopefully they can make more games in the future
+Horse From Hell Actually there was zero gameplay. And the mediocre story and the poor attempt at mystery is not worth the price tag.
God, if this game would of had a great ending it would of been a game of the year contender. Great score, characters, voice overs, everything. It was all there. When the ending came my brain pooped.
theres no wildlife? its a game where you walk around the woods and there are no animals?
1 elk in the intro. birds and fish can be found. theres a turtle and a dead elk. meh
+kabeltelevizio I see what you did here.....
+B Devine I found it very frustrating in a weird kind of way. When I'm near the lake and I can hear ducks really, really close to me and I'm looking around to see where they are and find none. It just pulls you out of the immersion immiedately.
Raccoon
This is the kind of game that I pray they focus development on for VR headsets. This would be a truly immersive experience on Oculus or Vive.
It's a game? I thought it was just some *wallpaper* (thanks IGN)
This is the type of game I would have loved to never end. And about that ending... Weird but as a personal ending I loved it. What I didn't like is that mistery which was building up in a very cool and creepy way... had such a mundane uninteresting explanation! Outrageous! It could have been something so much more.
i dont know why all hate it's ending....i think the ending is what that makes this game more emotional and hearttouching
FIREWATCH is a unforgettable experience
MUST PLAY
Awesome review Ryan! You nailed it!
i dont get it.. there 2 voices... your wondering around the woods the whole time? seams boring.... but 9.3? gosh.
It's a game focused on narrative, so it's not for everyone. The reviewer just really enjoyed it.
+ADucksOpinion Why does it matter if there are only a couple of characters?
+Rilumai Because more = better. Simple logic!
+Reptillian Brother The most simplest of logics!
+Reptillian Brother That must have been sarcasm, right...?
Hey guys, anyone knows when Wild is coming out for PS4?
It was a well wrote game but doesn't deserve a 9.3 I would say a 7 max
The real ending is during the credits. That hit me right square in the feels.
the game was amazing until the end mystery is solved. its a bit underwhelming.
I'm so happy this game turned out well! Watching the first looks gave me so much hope and to see them hit it out the park...! So glad. :)
I think GameSpot's review of this game is more accurate... It is closer to a 7 out of 10 than a 9 out of 10... It is a cool little game but it is nothing ground breaking...
This game looks so beautiful. I watched Jeff Favignano play it when I was 16, now I finally get to play it.
This seems it would of been better as a app then on a system or pc
+seldin911 I fail to see why.
+Krytern UK did u play it?
The constant build up of tension and paranoia without a climax ending is a change of pace from most games. It shows how not all stories "end with a bang", and that's just like real life. Not all stories end with a cliffhanger or satisfying defeat, and this game shows that perfectly.
That's true.
Still, I don't think it's worth 20 bucks
It isn't. Sure the game looks great, sure the story is awesome, and of course the small dev team worked extremely hard to make it, but in the end, indie dev teams can't (most of the time) create triple A games that have dozens of hours of content.
A fair price in my opinion would be 10$ because of the effort the devs went to to make Firewatch, if that. Because of the percentage Valve and Sony are taking from each sale, they had to sell it for 20$ to make any sort of profit compared to how hard they worked on it.
(Sorry for long post I can't help myself.)
IbyGTR It's okay. I also have the same thoughts you said (wrote, actually)
Jesus this review is piss
"Man I didn't like that I had to look at the map, because it made me have to think about where I go"
I am he would have loved a glowing gps line of where to go.
+Atwa That's not all what he said, nor did it show up as a real con.
That's not even close to the entire review, man,
It’s 2020 and I just bought it for 2.99 I’m not complaining only done the first chapter can’t wait to see how it pans out ! 🙂
I also bought it for £2.99 and I just finished it. The best game I've played in years, so gripping. The ending was perfect.
mike halton I’ve not finished it yet but it’s been a blast so far
This game looks amazing and it's only 4gb
Yeah I was wondering how they did that, it's not a small map that you explore, a few frame rate issues though, especially when it saves but really good none the less
Seriously, I'm really looking forward to buying this game as a downtime thing...
One of the best games. The game cast is amazing.
Am I the only one who was completely underwhelmed by the ending?.. The writing throughout was amazing, then it just falls short in the last 10 minutes or so.
+kabeltelevizio I do feel like they dropped the ball on the whole "surveillance" aspect. We're supposed to believe that all that was going on was just some crazy woodland hobo? He magically built a high tech surveillance compound out of crap he found laying out in the woods? It felt a little too convenient in a otherwise solid game.
@@mikepipher3347 this is 4 years later so I highly doubt you care anymore but Ned was an army veteran with PTSD who now has the death of his son on his conscience so him going crazy and having knowledge of radio surveillance doesn’t seem far off
I really hope this game will be available worldwide and not just Region 1 and Region 2 countries.
9.3? Just beat it and it was good but not a 9.3. I'd say more like an 8
+kevstew26 Same. The disappointing ending as well as how the game is only 4 hours and costs $20 brought it down to an 8 for me. Also the ending of the game created plot holes in the rest of the story which is annoying. It's the relationship between Henry and Delilah, the amazing voice acting, beautiful graphics, and how up until the end the mystery was interesting, that makes it an 8 for me.
Anticlimactic endings don't bug me too much. The entire experience made this one of the games I'll cherish forever. The story was gripping all the way through. The ending doesn't take that away from me.
it's not even close to being a 9.3
it's a 7 at best
The ending is actually amazing.
The ending is depressingly bad compared to the start
Rj Rj the end is amazing. People are just butthurt that they never get to meet Delilah. This is a game about problems, and how people deal with them, not meeting new people
Oh,, the music.... Can't wait to play it again