In Firewatch, dialog trumps action

firewatch

By NOLAN ZONDERVAN
SNN Staff Writer

Firewatch is an adventure video game that follows a volunteer fire lookout in the Shoshone National Forest in 1988. Through exploration of the forest and choosing between various dialog options, the player progresses through the story.

In the game, your character’s name is Henry, a man who has left his messy life behind to work as a fire lookout in Wyoming. Working in a tower atop a mountain, your job as Henry is to look for smoke and keep the wilderness safe. An especially hot and dry summer has everyone on edge. Your boss named Delilah, is available to you on a handheld radio but never in person. When strange things start to happen, you leave your lookout tower and venture farther into the wilderness. You explore a wild and unknown environment, facing questions and making choices that can help or harm the only relationship you have.

Firewatch, developed by Campo Santo came out Feb. 9 and is $20. The game incorporates beautiful graphics and a suspenseful storyline. Firewatch is one of few games to focus on dialog more than action. This game can be enjoyed by everyone, but if you love adventure games especially, then Firewatch is the game for you.