The thought of escaping into a forest and working as a ranger is a romantic one. Just imagine days communing with nature and relishing in solitude as you forget about the problems that plague you in the real world. The idea is an alluring fantasy that translates perfectly well in Firewatch, a walking simulator that thrusts you in the woods of Wyoming as Henry, a new lookout that soon realizes that the forest is as much a prison as it is a haven. As with any other game in the genre, Firewatch finds its roots in its gripping story that takes Henry on a journey of self re-discovery.

We start off with an introductory set of textual choices that appear on the screen as we get acquainted with Henry’s story. Without giving away too much, we learn about his wife from the day they met until her diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease. The tone and motivations of the plot revolve around this tragic turn of events, which set the course of the game. You will encounter these “choose your own adventure” type of choices throughout the storyline, but they don’t really add that much in terms of consequence or depth. It’s a feature that I think the game could have lived without, but it does offer some engagement apart from the norm.

Gameplay doesn’t offer much as the genre is all about walking and interacting, but the experience is heightened by the lush environment that you get to explore. The graphics provide enough to make the scenery enjoyable with its vibrant colors and distinct artstyle. There is a bit of clunkiness as you try to find the correct alignment between the character model and an interactable to trigger an action. It’s not a gamebreaker but definitely an annoyance during the few times it happened. Apart from that, the game truly captures not just the beauty of nature, but the fear it radiates as well.

Once central theme of the game is how solitude can also mean isolation or loneliness, both of which are expertly manifested in the mood of this game. The vast map makes for great adventures, but as darker elements reveal themselves in the story, there is a sudden shift in the air that’s palpable with every step you make. What was once a relaxing stroll becomes an eerie trek where you feel as though you’re being followed and that someone or something is going to jump from the foliage. Thankfully, you’re not completely alone as you’re able to communicate with Delilah, another ranger from a different lookout who becomes the grounding presence throughout the game.

Your conversations with Delilah via your walkie talkie serve as a plot driver as you get to know more about Henry, both his history and his quirks. The incredible voice acting allows you to fully immerse into the characters as the actors deliver the appropriate emotion to every line. This alone makes the game worth playing in my opinion as it really lends to the storytelling. The superb writing elevates the experience further by fleshing out these characters and providing stakes that actually mean something and that capture your attention. The further you progress in the story, the more attached you become to Delilah and the moments wherein she isn’t there are incredibly felt.

Eventually, the mystery of the plot will reveal itself to admittedly a rather stale resolution. The suspense that was built along the way and the relationship that blossoms between Henry and Delilah are definitely better than the payoff, but worth the investment. I found myself still satisfied with the overall experience after completing the game. Replaying it is definitely a viable option either as a leisurely stroll or to discover more plot points that you missed the first time around. Though the choices you make in the game won’t affect the ending, the moments in between are defined by them, adding depth to the story.

Personally, the journey I was able to carve out from my first playthrough was enough for me to recommend Firewatch. It’s perfect for someone who is looking for a narrative-driven game that isn’t too demanding in terms of gameplay or time investment. This was my first walking sim and choosing this game to play was a random pick from a selection of indie games. But, if there’s one thing I learned from Firewatch it’s that sometimes, an off trail path leads to your destination after all, unsettling as it may seem.