Firewatch

Our analysis

A uniquely styled narrative walking sim with a striking flat-shaded, color-driven art direction, excellent ambient sound, and some of the best writing in a narrative-driven game through its emotionally resonant first act. The relationship between Henry and Delilah is beautifully handled, but gameplay is thin with effectively no puzzles, and the forced mystery of the second act falls apart into a lame, abrupt payoff. Capable and worthwhile at its sub-$20 price, just not the classic many hoped for.

Our analysis

Mack found Firewatch a dull three-hour walking simulator with a linear, uneventful map, bugs and a poor frame rate. The story is decent and the voice acting excellent, but he would only suggest it to fans of sentimental interactive stories.

Our analysis

A sublimely told, narrative-driven journey of self-discovery whose writing and natural voice acting make Henry and Delilah's relationship deeply affecting, with a tense, unpredictable mystery and a strong sense of scale. The slow pace, lack of motion controls, no camera-speed option, and openness that turns out to be guided corridors are minor drawbacks. Any fan of narrative games will get their money's worth.

Our analysis

ZP: strong dialogue; anticlimactic mystery.