Firewatch is a first-person adventure game developed by Campo Santo and released in 2016. The game takes place in Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming, in 1989 and follows the story of Henry, a man who becomes a fire lookout after a personal tragedy. The game’s stunning visuals, rich ecosystem, and central mystery make it engaging and emotional. The development team focused on the importance of sound design, creating a haunting score and using sound to convey the sense of isolation that Henry experiences. Firewatch is a memorable and thought-provoking adventure that effectively uses its setting as a core part of its storytelling.
Exploring the Wilderness in ‘Firewatch’: A First-Person Adventure
“Hype” is a term frequently thrown around in video game circles, often as a comment on the media surrounding a title being more exciting than the game itself. Firewatch, developed by Campo Santo and released in 2016, is a game that managed to largely avoid this issue. After being revealed in 2014, it piqued the interest of those looking for a more thoughtful, story-driven experience. The game’s stunning visuals and unique setting in the forests of Wyoming only added to its appeal. Perhaps most crucially, it managed to deliver on that initial promise, providing players with a first-person adventure that was both engaging and emotional.
A Different Kind of Wilderness
Set in 1989, Firewatch takes place in Shoshone National Forest, where players control Henry, a man who takes on the job of being a fire lookout to escape personal tragedy. The environment of the game serves as a character in its own right, with the beauty and isolation of the forest playing a significant role in the story’s unfolding. The development team spent a great deal of time making sure the game’s appearance was striking yet realistic, modeling the trees, rocks and other features of the setting based on real photos of Wyoming’s forests. The attention to detail is evident immediately, with the game’s opening shot of Henry’s lookout tower showing off the majesty of the landscape.
The Wildlife of Firewatch
One of the most exciting aspects of exploring the wilderness presented in Firewatch is encountering the variety of animals that call it home. The game boasts a rich ecosystem, with several species of birds, deer, and even bears roaming the woods. Although not as intricate as a simulation game like Red Dead Redemption 2, Firewatch’s flora and fauna are still a major part of the game’s immersion, with the sound effects of the animals perfectly capturing their real-life counterparts. The player can also interact with the environment by collecting various plants, one of the many optional side activities available in the game.
Exploration and Storytelling
As players venture out of Henry’s lookout tower and explore the landscape, they will uncover clues and items that help to unravel the game’s central mystery. The story itself is a touching examination of loneliness, grief, and human connection, with the game’s dialogue and voice acting being particular standouts. The player’s choices can ultimately alter the narrative, allowing for some degree of agency and playing into the themes of the game’s script. While the story isn’t a particularly long one, the pacing is near-perfect, with the natural beauty of the world serving as a compelling complement to the character-driven plot.
The Role of Sound Design
In creating the world of Firewatch, the development team was keenly aware of the importance of sound design. With the player frequently alone in the woods, sound can be used to convey the sense of isolation that Henry experiences. The game’s score, composed by Chris Remo, is evocative and haunting, adding a layer of weight to the already emotionally charged story. The sound effects of the wind rustling the leaves or the chirping of birds all serve to make the world come alive around the player. The use of a lo-fi walkie-talkie as the primary method of communication between Henry and his supervisor at the fire tower, Delilah, adds to the game’s sense of authenticity and immersion.
A Memorable and Thought-Provoking Adventure
Few games have managed to so effectively use their setting as a core part of their storytelling as Firewatch does. The wilderness of Shoshone National Forest is not just a backdrop, but an integral part of the game’s themes and mechanics. With a fantastic script, standout voice acting and a gorgeous world brought to life through careful attention to detail, Firewatch is an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a veteran gamer looking for something that breaks from the mold or a newcomer to the medium, Firewatch is a first-person adventure worth exploring.