Video games that are cozy and have a comfort feel to them are quite rare and Firewatch is one of them. Although it is portrayed just as a hiking game with some objectives, it is much more than that. Players take control of a man named Henry who arrives Shoshone National Forest to take on a job as a fire lookout. However, as you progress you unravel mysteries not only at the forest and its areas, but Henry’s own life as well.

The game takes you on an epic adventure and keeps you at the edge of your seat. This kind of storytelling is rare in games today but this list will prove otherwise. Let us look at 10 story games like Firewatch you need to play today.

Top 10 Story Video Games Like Firewatch You Need To Play (Honorable Mentions At The End)

Firewatch is an adventure game throughout but not the typical ones with combat you would find online. Instead it is more focused on the basics, the storytelling, the movement and humanizing its characters to tell a great story. On paper the game might look like one of the run of the mill protagonist stories, but the side characters only add onto the beauty.

Games like Firewatch are a rarity and if we could bottle the feeling and the gameplay style of this entry, here are the games we would get.

Life Is Strange

Life is Strange is not your typical adventure game. The first game that featured the protagonist Maxine Caufield was a massive success which prompted the developers to make more entries ranging from prequels to new stories. Life is Strange puts you in Max’s shoes as you navigate the life of a not so typical student. She has the power to warp time which allows her to revisit conversations as they are happening.

Due to this, you can always choose the right decision to make. The game has deduction elements and great NPCs just like Firewatch which make it intriguing to such an extent that you won’t leave your chair until you’re done with all of the episodes. Life is Strange is something that every gamer has to experience just because of its beautiful story and downright human voice acting. Not to mention, your choices literally determine the game’s ending.

Oxenfree

Oxenfree is unique. The game is a 2.5D graphic game that is essentially a coming of age story featuring the main character Alex, who is visiting a not so mysterious island with her friends to hang out. The game then turns into a psuedo horror game as Alex and friends accidently unleash a paranormal entity on the island and have to then figure out how to stop it.

It is a walk and talk game as more lore is revealed by exploration of the island. Alex is free to choose one of two or three options as the dialogue boxes appear during the game’s progression. These choices determine the game’s ending. There is no wrong decision and players can choose to stay silent if they want.

The premise in essence is simple, help Alex navigate the secrets of the island but on the way, the game raises several questions that will have players thinking deep about the meaning of life.

Everybody’s Going To The Rapture

Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture is one of the best games to play if you are looking for a simple story that does not compromise on its quality. A lot of games nowadays ignore the story for the sake of the graphics, not this one. Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture is about two main characters, Kate and Stephen. This title is a spiritual successor to Dear Esther which we are going to discuss later on.

The game is situated in a small English villages who’s inhabitants have disappeared. As Kate and Stephen, you can interact with different parts of the world which will reveal the story as you go along. The story is gripping, tense and the game is a rollercoaster ride throughout. You will enjoy the game’s simplicity and progression, which is something every production should strive for in its core.

Kentucky Route Zero

In this story, you take control of a truck drive named Conway and on surface, the thought of the game being a drive experience to make deliveries might seem mundane but the story is beautifully progressed by the characters you meet along the way no matter where they are from. The visual art of the game coupled with its narrative and characters make for a cozy adventure which is perfect for Friday nights.

In all essence, this game is a road trip and you are along for the ride as you get to witness events that rarely occur during roadtrips. Firewatch might be a tad bit different than this particular game but it is just as unique and fun to ride along with Conway exploring Kentucky.

Dear Esther

This is a spiritual prequel to Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture. Dear Esther lets you take control of an unnamed protagonist. The only objective of the game is to explore the island and as you do, you get to hear about a mysterious man’s voice and hear what his thoughts on his deceased wife in a series of letters.

The island of Hebrides, Scotland is yours as you walk around its surreal landscape listening to the pleas of a man coming to terms with the loss of his wife. Though the major plot point of Dear Esther is similar to Firewatch, being the loss of a partner, this game has its own personality and beauty. If this game does not explode your heart into a million pieces, we do not know what will.

Tacoma

Tacoma is Firewatch in space. Set in a space station in 2088, Tacoma follows the story of Amy as she tries to piece together what happens in the space station by deciphering clues from conversations. Exploring character depth is the main theme of this game as you get to know what forges human relationships and how conversations are shaped. You get a deep dive on how the people in the space station worked and lived together.

The story thrives because of its characters. They offer the highest relatability factor and their conversations will have you coming back for more. Although it is labeled as an adventure game, Tacoma is almost like a movie and you are the solo spectator in that movie. You will have a lot of fun with this title as it’s quite unique and their are myriads of colors which will keep you awed throughout.

What Remains Of Edith Finch

What Remains of Edith Finch is a first person exploration games which centers around the main character, Edith Finch as she returns to her ancestral home after seven years of being away. As she explores around familiar territory, she discovers what secrets her family estate holds and the reason why she is the only remaining Finch member alive.

As you explore the different parts of the house, you get to know what happened to her family and every reveal is unique. This is the kind of game which will have you thinking, pondering and reminiscing about the game long after you have finished it.

Gone Home

Gone Home is another game that is set inside a house. It follows the story of young woman as she returns to home from abroad to find that none of her family is present. The story takes you around multiple corners of the house as she tries to uncover the secrets behind her family’s disappearance. You get to explore everything at your own leisure and there is no time limit prompting you to do so.

Checking each and every room and its contents will let you see why the house is empty and decipher the game’s brilliant narrative. If you like exploration, storytelling and relatable themes with not much interactivity, then we recommend playing Gone Home.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter

This is another game that has emphasis on its storytelling rather than graphics or mainstream appeal. In this game, you play as a detective named Paul Prospero who is in charge of investigating the deaths of the Carter family. As the detective, you will explore many open world areas and come up with many explanations and clues leading up to the events of the disappearance.

But aside from being a detective, he has a connection to the supernatural world which allows him to commune with the dead. The game starts off with the disappearance of a boy but then turns into a murder mystery. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is one of the best adventure games to play, especially if you like the Mafia games, but with less gunplay.

The Stanley Parable

The Stanley Parable is almost a commentary on how important narration and guidance by the narrator is in video games. However, in this particular one, you have the option to go against what they say. Like Bioshock’s, “would you please?” you have a choice here, instead of just following what the instruction says. However, be aware of the consequences. Your choices determine the ending of the game.

The thrill of not obeying the Narrator’s command feels strange at first but when you do start to do so, it is difficult to stop. When you do start to disobey, the Narrator will adjust the story so they can diverge you into the proper path again. It is quite a beautiful game and despite its simplicity, it is one of the best games we have ever played since it defies the choices presented in the video game industry.

More Games Like Firewatch You Need To Play

Our Top 10 list is enough to get your started. However, if you have already played all of these games then we recommend trying the ones below. These titles are just as intriguing and thought provoking as Firewatch or even Oxenfree.

• The Invincible
• Road 96
• Outer Wilds
• The Cat Lady
• The Talos Principle
• Beyond: Two Souls
• Night In The Woods
• The Suicide of Rachel Foster
• To The Moon
• The Beginner’s Guide

These are all the story games like Firewatch you need to try out. If you are a magic fan, check out this list which shows you games like Hogwarts Legacy.