Firewatch is a first-person narrative-driven game that takes place in the Wyoming wilderness, following a fire lookout named Henry. Players must explore the vast wilderness, interact with their supervisor, Delilah, and uncover the truth behind strange occurrences in the forest. Firewatch’s unique atmosphere, rich storytelling, and exploration mechanics have garnered praise from gamers and critics alike. If you’re looking for more games that provide similar experiences, here are 15 games that are worth checking out.
Games Like Firewatch
1. What Remains of Edith Finch
- Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
- Developer: Giant Sparrow
- Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: April 25, 2017
What Remains of Edith Finch is a narrative-driven game that follows Edith Finch as she explores her family’s history and uncovers the truth behind the mysterious deaths of her family members. Players will experience each family member’s story through unique gameplay mechanics, allowing for a variety of immersive experiences. The game’s emotional narrative and inventive gameplay mechanics make it a standout experience. Like Firewatch, What Remains of Edith Finch is a game that relies heavily on storytelling and exploration to deliver an unforgettable experience. The game’s focus on uncovering secrets and personal narratives is similar to Firewatch’s approach to storytelling.
2. Gone Home
- Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
- Developer: Fullbright
- Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: August 15, 2013
Gone Home is a first-person exploration game set in a 1990s Pacific Northwest home. Players control Kaitlin Greenbriar, who returns home from a year-long trip abroad to find the house empty. As Kaitlin explores the house, she uncovers clues about her family and their struggles. The game’s atmosphere, coupled with its rich narrative and exploration mechanics, makes it a unique and captivating experience. Like Firewatch, Gone Home relies on its setting and storytelling to create a memorable experience. The game’s focus on exploring a single location and uncovering the story through environmental storytelling is similar to Firewatch’s approach to exploration.
3. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
- Publisher: The Astronauts
- Developer: The Astronauts
- Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4
- Release Date: September 26, 2014
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a first-person exploration game that follows detective Paul Prospero as he investigates the disappearance of a young boy named Ethan Carter. Players will explore the open world, collect clues, and solve puzzles to uncover the truth behind Ethan’s disappearance. The game’s eerie atmosphere, coupled with its beautiful visuals and gripping narrative, makes it a must-play for fans of atmospheric storytelling. Like Firewatch, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter places a strong emphasis on environmental storytelling, allowing players to piece together the narrative through exploration.
4. Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
- Developer: The Chinese Room
- Platforms: PS4, PC
- Release Date: August 11, 2015
Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture is a first-person exploration game set in a small English village in the 1980s. Players will explore the deserted village, uncovering the story of the residents and the mysterious events that led to their disappearance. The game’s stunning visuals, haunting soundtrack, and gripping narrative make it a standout experience. Like Firewatch, Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture relies on its setting and storytelling to create a memorable experience. The game’s focus on exploration and uncovering the story through environmental storytelling is similar to Firewatch’s approach to narrative.
5. Tacoma
- Publisher: Fullbright
- Developer: Fullbright
- Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4
- Release Date: August 2, 2017
Tacoma is a narrative-driven game set on a deserted space station in the year 2088. Players control Amy Ferrier, a contractor sent to retrieve sensitive data from the abandoned station. As players explore the station, they’ll discover the stories of its former inhabitants through interactive AR recordings. The game’s unique setting, coupled with its rich narrative and exploration mechanics, make it a standout experience. Like Firewatch, Tacoma relies on storytelling and exploration to deliver an unforgettable experience. The game’s focus on uncovering the stories of the station’s former inhabitants is similar to Firewatch’s approach to narrative.
6. Oxenfree
- Publisher: Night School Studio
- Developer: Night School Studio
- Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: January 15, 2016
Oxenfree is a narrative-driven game that follows a group of friends as they explore an abandoned island and uncover its dark secrets. The game’s branching dialogue system and unique gameplay mechanics allow for a variety of immersive experiences. The game’s eerie atmosphere, coupled with its rich narrative and exploration mechanics, makes it a must-play for fans of atmospheric storytelling. Like Firewatch, Oxenfree relies on its setting and storytelling to create a memorable experience. The game’s focus on uncovering the story through exploration and dialogue is similar to Firewatch’s approach to narrative.
7. Dear Esther
- Publisher: The Chinese Room
- Developer: The Chinese Room
- Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4
- Release Date: February 14, 2012
Dear Esther is a first-person exploration game that follows an unnamed protagonist as they explore a deserted island and uncover the story behind their own past. The game’s haunting soundtrack, coupled with its stunning visuals and gripping narrative, makes it a standout experience. Like Firewatch, Dear Esther relies on its setting and storytelling to create a memorable experience. The game’s focus on exploration and uncovering the story through environmental storytelling is similar to Firewatch’s approach to narrative.
8. Life is Strange
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Developer: Dontnod Entertainment
- Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: January 30, 2015
Life is Strange is a narrative-driven game that follows teenager Max Caulfield as she navigates the trials and tribulations of high school life and uncovers the mysteries of her hometown, Arcadia Bay. The game’s unique time-rewinding gameplay mechanic, coupled with its emotional narrative and relatable characters, makes it a standout experience. Like Firewatch, Life is Strange relies heavily on storytelling and character development to deliver an unforgettable experience. The game’s focus on exploring the world and uncovering secrets is similar to Firewatch’s approach to exploration.
9. The Stanley Parable
- Publisher: Galactic Cafe
- Developer: Galactic Cafe
- Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4
- Release Date: October 17, 2013
The Stanley Parable is a narrative-driven game that challenges players’ expectations and perception of choice in video games. Players control Stanley, an office worker who suddenly finds himself alone in his workplace. As players explore the office, they’ll encounter a narrator who guides the story, but whose guidance can be ignored. The game’s clever writing, coupled with its inventive gameplay mechanics, makes it a standout experience. Like Firewatch, The Stanley Parable relies heavily on storytelling and the player’s choices to deliver an unforgettable experience. The game’s focus on exploring the world and experimenting with different outcomes is similar to Firewatch’s approach to exploration.
10. Night in the Woods
- Publisher: Finji
- Developer: Infinite Fall
- Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: February 21, 2017
Night in the Woods is a narrative-driven game that follows Mae Borowski, a college dropout who returns to her hometown of Possum Springs and reconnects with her old friends. The game’s quirky characters, coupled with its emotional narrative and relatable themes, makes it a standout experience. Like Firewatch, Night in the Woods relies heavily on character development and storytelling to deliver an unforgettable experience. The game’s focus on exploring the town and uncovering the characters’ stories is similar to Firewatch’s approach to exploration.
11. The Red Strings Club
- Publisher: Devolver Digital
- Developer: Deconstructeam
- Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: January 22, 2018
The Red Strings Club is a narrative-driven cyberpunk adventure game set in a dystopian future where corporations have complete control over society. Players take on the roles of a bartender and a hacker who work together to uncover a conspiracy and save humanity. The game’s unique storytelling mechanics, coupled with its beautiful pixel art and engaging gameplay, make it a standout experience. Like Firewatch, The Red Strings Club relies on its setting and storytelling to create a memorable experience. The game’s focus on uncovering a conspiracy and saving humanity through dialogue and choice is similar to Firewatch’s approach to narrative.
12. Kentucky Route Zero
- Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
- Developer: Cardboard Computer
- Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: January 7, 2013
Kentucky Route Zero is a narrative-driven game that follows a truck driver named Conway as he travels through the highways and byways of Kentucky. The game’s surreal atmosphere, coupled with its rich narrative and inventive gameplay mechanics, makes it a standout experience. Like Firewatch, Kentucky Route Zero relies on its setting and storytelling to create a memorable experience. The game’s focus on exploring the world and uncovering its mysteries is similar to Firewatch’s approach to exploration.
13. Virginia
- Publisher: 505 Games
- Developer: Variable State
- Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: September 22, 2016
Virginia is a narrative-driven game that follows FBI agent Anne Tarver as she investigates a missing person case in the rural town of Kingdom, Virginia. The game’s unconventional storytelling, coupled with its haunting soundtrack and unique visual style, makes it a standout experience. Like Firewatch, Virginia relies on its setting and storytelling to create a memorable experience. The game’s focus on exploring the world and uncovering its mysteries is similar to Firewatch’s approach to exploration.
14. The Witness
- Publisher: Jonathan Blow
- Developer: Jonathan Blow
- Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4, iOS, Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: January 26, 2016
The Witness is a puzzle game set on a mysterious island. Players must solve a variety of puzzles scattered throughout the island to progress through the game’s story. The game’s stunning visuals, coupled with its challenging puzzles and hidden secrets, makes it a standout experience. Like Firewatch, The Witness relies on exploration and environmental storytelling to deliver an unforgettable experience. The game’s focus on uncovering the island’s secrets through puzzle-solving is similar to Firewatch’s approach to exploration.
15. Journey
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
- Developer: thatgamecompany
- Platforms: PS4, PS3, iOS
- Release Date: March 13, 2012
Journey is a unique game that follows a robed figure as they travel through a vast desert towards a distant mountain. Players can encounter other players online and embark on the journey together, communicating only through musical tones. The game’s stunning visuals, coupled with its emotional narrative and unique multiplayer experience, makes it a standout experience. Like Firewatch, Journey relies heavily on atmosphere and emotion to create a memorable experience. The game’s focus on exploring the world and embarking on a personal journey is similar to Firewatch’s approach to exploration.
Firewatch is a beloved game that captivates players with its rich storytelling, atmospheric setting, and exploration mechanics. If you’re a fan of Firewatch and looking for similar games, then this list of 15 games is sure to keep you entertained. Each game on this list offers unique gameplay mechanics, rich storytelling, and an immersive atmosphere that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Whether you prefer puzzle-solving, exploration, or interactive storytelling, there’s a game on this list that will satisfy your craving for a Firewatch-like experience.
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