Are you looking for a thrilling narrative-based experience like Firewatch? Here are 5 of the best games like Firewatch that you should definitely check out.
One of the factors that determine the greatness of a game is how long it stays in your heart and mind after you have finished it. Many great games like The Last Of Us Part II, Red Dead 2 and Witcher 3 have that effect on people. Those are big-budget AAA titles, but can a smaller, simpler game have the same effect? Yes, it can.
Firewatch is a game about Henry, a fire lookout. It is an utterly gorgeous game that depends a lot on story-telling and exploration. There are no big gameplay elements in Firewatch, and yet it leaves a lasting effect on you through its dialogue and mystery. If you are looking for games that offer a similar experience, here 5 best games like Firewatch.
Firewatch puts a lot of emphasis on puzzle solving and simple conversations to tell its story. Sometimes simple mechanics like this go a long way in letting the player soak in the story. Other games out there have accomplished the same thing, and we have taken the liberty to compile a list of those games for you.
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
- Release Date: September 25, 2014
- Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch
The Vanishing Of Ethan Carter is a murder mystery of the highest order. You play as a detective with supernatural powers on a quest to solve the mystery around the disappearance of Ethan Carter. There are open environments to explore as you look for clues that help you move forward in this investigation.
The Vanishing Of Ethan Carter is another excellent story and a great example of how simple games can still stick with you for a long time after you stop playing them.
What Remains of Edith Finch
- Release Date: April 25, 2017
- Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, Android/IOS
What Remains Of Edith Finch won a number of awards the year it came out, and all of them were richly deserved. It is a story of Edith, who is visiting her family home to learn more about her family’s history and why she is the only one alive. You get to experience events that each one of your family members went through and uncover new secrets.
There are a number of environments for you to explore and get new clues from. Each setting feels more realistic to explore in the first-person perspective.
Oxenfree
- Release Date: January 15, 2016
- Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, Android/IOS
Oxenfree is another breathtaking story accompanied by fantastic visuals. As you explore and uncover the secrets of this mysterious island that you are on, your dialogue choices will determine how your relationship develops with other characters. The absence of in-game cutscenes is another welcome addition as the entire story is told through dialogue.
Oxenfree’s story is supernatural, but the characters feel very real, and as the story goes by, you will relate to them even more.
The Long Dark
- Release Date: September 22, 2014
- Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
The Long Dark is set in a very different wilderness than Firewatch. It’s the freezing cold of northern Canada, where you are forced to survive after your plane crash lands in the middle of nowhere. The Long Dark is a story about a post-apocalyptic world that has fallen into darkness.
The Long Dark is a great combination of story-telling and survival elements, making it an excellent alternative to a game like Firewatch.
Journey
- Release Date: March 13, 2012
- Platforms: PS3, PS4, PC
Journey was one of the best games of the PS3 era. It is one of the simplest concepts you will ever find in the video game industry, and yet it shines like a diamond. Journey just thrusts you into this vast desert and encourages you to explore on your own.
Some of the sights you will see in this game are absolutely stunning. You won’t be fighting any big monsters in this game, and Journey will still leave a very long-lasting effect on you.
Top 5 Best Games Like Firewatch
Here are the top 5 best games like Firewatch.
Conclusion
The best thing about all these games is their simplicity. The fact that something as simple could be so breathtakingly good is very refreshing to see. If Firewatch was a memorable experience for you, then you will have a lot of fun with all of these games.
Looking for more from our “Games Like” category? We also have these guides:
- Best Games Like Summertime Saga
- Best Games Like Detroit Become Human
- Best Games Like It Takes Two (Co-op)
- Best Games Like Fallout
- Best Games Like Subway Surfers
Firewatch is available to play on PC via Steam.