General Gaming Has anyone here played Firewatch?

[Bloodporne]

So I'm having a snow day today and would really love to play some sort of Adventure game with a cool setting. After looking around a bit, I remembered wanting to check out Firewatch sometime. Just curious if anyone here has played it and what you thought of it if so.

 

I didn't want to read too much because I didn't want to get spoiled but it's being described as an Adventure game. Does that mean it actually has some puzzles, inventory management or anything or is it a straight walking sim? I really loved SOMA and The Last Door and those kind of kickstarted my interest in more story-driven games, Point & Click and so on so I'm not really opposed to the walking sim tag per say either as long as there's some tension and excitement to be found.

[SimpleG]

Straight walking sim but I loved it. It’s fairly short and straight forward.

[Pikachu]

You get some equipment as needed to progress, but there is nothing too complex in terms of puzzles or inventory management.  It's worth a play just for the story. 

[Bloodporne]

Thanks, probably gonna pick it up in a bit after a bout of Demon's Souls.

 

Any other games of its ilk you guys would recommend?

[Pikachu]

Gone Home is the most similar game I can think of, and I enjoyed my experience with it. It has some lite horror elements in it, but there is no actual monsters or any type of enemy you have to run from.

 

I would also take a look at The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, What Remains of Edith Finch, and Return of the Obra Dinn. Ethan Carter in particular has more complex puzzles.

[TheLeon]

I really enjoyed Firewatch. As long as you know what you’re getting into (and it sounds like you do) there’s plenty to like in it. Crazy to think that it’s 5 years old already. 
 

I also highly recommend The Stanley Parable, one of the more playful entries in this sub genre. Although you might want to wait on that one, since there’s an expanded edition coming (maybe) this year.

[AlwaysDyingX]

Walking sim, I enjoyed it though 

[crispy4000]

Firewatch is a game of tell more than show.  I liked exploring it.  If you dig the first few minutes, you'll enjoy the rest.  Doesn't overstay its welcome.

[Fizzzzle]

ABZU

[Bloodporne]

Just beat Demon's Souls so I'll get into this later.

[best3444]

15 minutes ago, Bloodporne said:

Just beat Demon's Souls 

 

[Bloodporne]

19 minutes ago, best3444 said:

 

I already beat it twice on PS3 so I still knew my way around slightly I will say. Amazing game.

[best3444]

21 minutes ago, Bloodporne said:

I already beat it twice on PS3 so I still knew my way around slightly I will say. Amazing game.

 

Still takes skill and a lot of patience. You must be a pretty skilled gamer. The closest I got to playing a Souls game was Bloodborne. I actually loved that game and challenge. I got very close to beating that. When I pickup a ps5 I may give this game a shot. It looks absolutely incredible.

[Mercury33]

Firewatch is a straight walking simulator. It’s ok. Based on what you’ve posted on the boards I think you’d like What Remains of Edith Finch better. Also a straight walking sim but it’s a little...weirder/cooler. Not sure how to describe it. 

[Keyser_Soze]

6 hours ago, Bloodporne said:

Thanks, probably gonna pick it up in a bit after a bout of Demon's Souls.

 

Any other games of its ilk you guys would recommend?

 

Layers of Fear then play The Medium after.

[Bloodporne]

17 hours ago, best3444 said:

 

Still takes skill and a lot of patience. You must be a pretty skilled gamer. The closest I got to playing a Souls game was Bloodborne. I actually loved that game and challenge. I got very close to beating that. When I pickup a ps5 I may give this game a shot. It looks absolutely incredible.

I don't know, I honestly just enjoy those games so much that I never thought of it as having to have patience. Well, I've definitely lost my cool at certain areas but overall I just find the core loop of From games since DeS pretty much close to videogame perfection, at least for my tastes.

 

Sekiro is kind of too much for me though actually and quite a few people on this board didn't have nearly as much trouble with that one as I did I think. 

 

Really curious to see what you think of DeS compared to Bloodborne when you pick up a PS5. It's actually level based more so than the other games and the level design is much more old school even. Tricks and traps everywhere, it heavily reminds me of a fully realized 3D Ghouls 'N Ghosts or something. Then again I thought Bloodborne is the 3D Castlevania we always deserved but never got. 

15 hours ago, Mercury33 said:

Firewatch is a straight walking simulator. It’s ok. Based on what you’ve posted on the boards I think you’d like What Remains of Edith Finch better. Also a straight walking sim but it’s a little...weirder/cooler. Not sure how to describe it. 

Cool thanks, I put it on my wishlist on PSN. 

[Bloodporne]

As a sidenote, I did buy Firewatch. However while that was downloading I decided to take a peek at Days Gone, a game I had nearly minus zero interest in but is free on PS+, and ended up fucking glued to my TV for like four or five hours yesterday. 

 

First of all, that game looks fantastic with the PS5 patch and hotdamn, the combat is good. It kind of reminds me of everything I really liked about The Last Of Us but minus all the constant interruptions I didn't like. It's a pretty blatant clone but they really nailed the mechanics and game feel. I'm really, really surprised by this game so far.

[crispy4000]

32 minutes ago, Bloodporne said:

As a sidenote, I did buy Firewatch. However while that was downloading I decided to take a peek at Days Gone, a game I had nearly minus zero interest in but is free on PS+, and ended up fucking glued to my TV for like four or five hours yesterday. 

 

First of all, that game looks fantastic with the PS5 patch and hotdamn, the combat is good. It kind of reminds me of everything I really liked about The Last Of Us but minus all the constant interruptions I didn't like. It's a pretty blatant clone but they really nailed the mechanics and game feel. I'm really, really surprised by this game so far.

 

Yep, DG is fun.  Even more at 60fps I'd imagine, it looks super smooth with all the polish it lacked at launch.  High desert area is a bit meh, but the rest of the game is a fun romp.  Go crossbow all the way.

[Bloodporne]

21 minutes ago, crispy4000 said:

 

Yep, DG is fun.  Even more at 60fps I'd imagine, it looks super smooth with all the polish it lacked at launch.  High desert area is a bit meh, but the rest of the game is a fun romp.  Go crossbow all the way.

It really does look impressive and it's also surprisingly atmospheric. The weather effects and wind are really cool.

 

I've actually been having trouble with the crossbow. I thought it'd be a cool stealthy headshot machine but instead it takes me two bolts right now to kill anything...maybe I'm just not landing the shots right due to the bolts dropping with distance. 

[TheLeon]

Did I miss Days Gone on PS+? Or are you talking about that collection of games for PS5 owners?

[crispy4000]

18 minutes ago, Bloodporne said:

It really does look impressive and it's also surprisingly atmospheric. The weather effects and wind are really cool.

 

I've actually been having trouble with the crossbow. I thought it'd be a cool stealthy headshot machine but instead it takes me two bolts right now to kill anything...maybe I'm just not landing the shots right due to the bolts dropping with distance. 

 

There's an upgrade for doubling its damage in the skill tree.  And another to pick up your used bolts.  It does make the game a bit easy-mode against human encampments, but I enjoyed it.  There's also a pretty funny charm dart you'll learn how to craft later.

 

10 minutes ago, TheLeon said:

Did I miss Days Gone on PS+? Or are you talking about that collection of games for PS5 owners?

Think it's the latter.

[best3444]

1 hour ago, Bloodporne said:

Really curious to see what you think of DeS compared to Bloodborne when you pick up a PS5. It's actually level based more so than the other games and the level design is much more old school even. Tricks and traps everywhere, it heavily reminds me of a fully realized 3D Ghouls 'N Ghosts or something. Then again I thought Bloodborne is the 3D Castlevania we always deserved but never got. 

Cool thanks, I put it on my wishlist on PSN. 

 

As I age my gaming skills have significantly declined. If it takes skill to beat these games then I'm fucked. 

 

1 hour ago, Bloodporne said:

As a sidenote, I did buy Firewatch. However while that was downloading I decided to take a peek at Days Gone, a game I had nearly minus zero interest in but is free on PS+, and ended up fucking glued to my TV for like four or five hours yesterday. 

 

First of all, that game looks fantastic with the PS5 patch and hotdamn, the combat is good. It kind of reminds me of everything I really liked about The Last Of Us but minus all the constant interruptions I didn't like. It's a pretty blatant clone but they really nailed the mechanics and game feel. I'm really, really surprised by this game so far.

 

Had an absolute blast with that game on ps4 pro. With the enhancements the ps5 brings it should be a delight to play. Great game!

[Bloodporne]

39 minutes ago, TheLeon said:

Did I miss Days Gone on PS+? Or are you talking about that collection of games for PS5 owners?

Yeah, it's in the PS5 collection thingie. 

[HardAct]

On 2/1/2021 at 11:22 AM, crispy4000 said:

Firewatch is a game of tell more than show.  I liked exploring it.  If you dig the first few minutes, you'll enjoy the rest.  Doesn't overstay its welcome.

Agree wholeheartedly! 

 

     Well said. Its short, fun, interesting story wise and isn't hard or frustrating in anyway. You'll most likely enjoy it too.

[Phaseknox]

On 2/1/2021 at 9:50 AM, Bloodporne said:

I didn't want to read too much because I didn't want to get spoiled but it's being described as an Adventure game. Does that mean it actually has some puzzles, inventory management or anything or is it a straight walking sim?

I would describe it as an interactive story, it’s less involved than an adventure game but more involved than a walking sim IMO. While there’s no combat or puzzles, you do interact with the environment and things in general quite a bit. I found the story engaging and the graphics appealing, I definitely enjoyed my time with it.

 

15 hours ago, Bloodporne said:

I decided to take a peek at Days Gone, a game I had nearly minus zero interest in but is free on PS+, and ended up fucking glued to my TV for like four or five hours yesterday. 

 

First of all, that game looks fantastic with the PS5 patch and hotdamn, the combat is good. It kind of reminds me of everything I really liked about The Last Of Us but minus all the constant interruptions I didn't like. It's a pretty blatant clone but they really nailed the mechanics and game feel. I'm really, really surprised by this game so far.

Why did you have nearly minus zero interest in it? It’s one of my favorite PS4 games, it has a great story, cast of characters, open world and gameplay/combat. While it does have a bit of The Last of Us vibe to it, I wouldn’t call it a clone. It’s a different game in a lot of ways.

[Bloodporne]

8 hours ago, Phaseknox said:

Why did you have nearly minus zero interest in it? It’s one of my favorite PS4 games, it has a great story, cast of characters, open world and gameplay/combat. While it does have a bit of The Last of Us vibe to it, I wouldn’t call it a clone. It’s a different game in a lot of ways.

The pre-release footage just looked really lame to me. Sons of Anarchy aesthetics, zombies, open world, edgy and cheesy dialog, focus on those giant hordes. 

 

Playing it now, I think quite a bit of that was misleading. I didn't expect gameplay to be so tactical and survival focused, combat and gunplay is really tight and fun, the open world so far actually offers much more varied and good encounter design than other open world games I've played. It's also nowhere near as Cinematic Sony as trailers seemed to indicate to me and I'm pleasantly surprised how quickly it let me off the leash in that regard. The story and cheesy biker stuff is also fun in practice and nowhere near as edgy and silly as when it was all edited together in the trailers. 

 

Oh, I also dig the whole fuel resource management aspect. It alleviates the usual boredom and braindead traveling of open worlds. I should also mention that I'm playing on Hard and the environments and enemies legitimately feel quite dangerous and I like that a lot.

 

Those are just my impressions though but looking the game up a bit online in general, apparently there are a lot of people who are very pleasantly surprised after the mediocre initial reaction and pre-release footage. I don't think that's a coincidence. 

 

And I don't think it's a straight-up TLoU clone overall, no obviously, but I was referring to the combat really. That's straight TLoU but I say that as a compliment.