Poll: Firewatch's Ending Explained (Dissapointing or...?)

[Overusedname]

Hello escapists! This time I chose a recent game that actually tackles themes of escapism, but in my opinion, kind of stumbles in the process. It has an interesting message, but I think it could have been delivered better. Let's talk about that.


Any feedback is always appreciated! I worked hard on this one and got it done way faster, and I hope to keep that up and post here more often. Feel free to disagree with my thoughts relentlessly. I like debate~

Media stuff if you want to follow the show:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSwIxTBkr6lL79B8VA9KlvQ
https://www.facebook.com/EmceeProphIt?ref=br_tf

 

[False Nobility]

Dammit Emcee, why you gotta post something awesome and make me actually log in and stop lurking?

I love the intro, let you know my general thoughts when I finish.

 

[False Nobility]

HEY! Sorry about the delay lol. I forgot to post again.

Anyway, I gotta say, this is the funniest thing I've seen from you, I think. Very snarky, quick jokes, and a good point overall on the ending. I'm actually even less impressed than you with the ending, but I can kinda see what they were going for. But like you said, I just don't think it...worked. This review, however, did work. Good stuff. Keep it up dude!

 

[Overusedname]

HEY! Sorry about the delay lol. I forgot to post again.

Anyway, I gotta say, this is the funniest thing I've seen from you, I think. Very snarky, quick jokes, and a good point overall on the ending. I'm actually even less impressed than you with the ending, but I can kinda see what they were going for. But like you said, I just don't think it...worked. This review, however, did work. Good stuff. Keep it up dude!

Thanks man! And yeah, that's pretty much how I felt about it. I was pretty happy with the jokes, so glad ya like 'em~

 

[Elvis Starburst]

Yeah, I was sort of getting that vibe after I watched someone play the whole thing. My friend wanted it really badly though, so I went the extra mile and got it for them as a bday gift. I know they're gonna enjoy it at least, but I did give some warning some time prior. As much as I'd love to send your vid to them after they're done playing, it might just dilute the experience afterwards. Which is too bad, considering it was a quite a well done and entertaining video, as always~

*Adds fuel to the ever burning pretentious fire that is Emcee!*

Edit: Just realized, this was uploaded 2 weeks after your last video! MOTHER OF GOD, is the world ending?! *Goes to check* ... Nooooo, but I don't trust it...

 

[busterkeatonrules]

I actually found that ending to be rather refreshing.

The game does an excellent job of conveying the sense of isolation, with your only human contact being the voice of a complete stranger several miles away. As the mystery builds up, you soon feel genuinely vulnerable, to the point where the only true mystery is what will inevitably kill you (Aliens? Government agents? Delilah? Some deranged serial killer?) - and I have to say,

Spoiler

a storyline made entirely of red herrings with a perfectly mundane (if tragic) explaination

is pretty much the one thing I actually didn't see coming.

Well done, Campo Santo - can't wait to see what you'll do next!

 

[SomethingWorse]

Good stuff as always. Pretty damn funny, and good points. I was kinda mixed on the ending, and still am, but I gotta admit, you made me hate it a bit more lol. I don't think it's that bad, but it's hard to deny they could have done a better job. I don't think they had to sacrifice everything else good about the game to make their point at the end. I still like how unique the ending is, but you make a good argument. Good stuff.

Have you heard of 'Gone Home' btw?

 

[ThereIsNoSanta]

Does Firewatch have a good ending?

Short answer: No.

Long answer: Heeeeeeeeeeellllllllllll no.

But you're right, it seemed cool while it lasted. I'm still glad I only watched someone else play it. And this review just made me even happier I did that. Great video, super funny this time around. I'm so glad you're releasing these episodes more often. And I'm hyped for Dark Souls. You deserve more Subs, and patrons for that matter. I should save up lol.

 

[Overusedname]

Good stuff as always. Pretty damn funny, and good points. I was kinda mixed on the ending, and still am, but I gotta admit, you made me hate it a bit more lol. I don't think it's that bad, but it's hard to deny they could have done a better job. I don't think they had to sacrifice everything else good about the game to make their point at the end. I still like how unique the ending is, but you make a good argument. Good stuff.

Have you heard of 'Gone Home' btw?

Thanks! And I have. I hear similar complaints about it's ending, but don't know much more.

 

[Overusedname]

Yeah, I was sort of getting that vibe after I watched someone play the whole thing. My friend wanted it really badly though, so I went the extra mile and got it for them as a bday gift. I know they're gonna enjoy it at least, but I did give some warning some time prior. As much as I'd love to send your vid to them after they're done playing, it might just dilute the experience afterwards. Which is too bad, considering it was a quite a well done and entertaining video, as always~

*Adds fuel to the ever burning pretentious fire that is Emcee!*

Edit: Just realized, this was uploaded 2 weeks after your last video! MOTHER OF GOD, is the world ending?! *Goes to check* ... Nooooo, but I don't trust it...

Believe it baby~ I'm trying desperately to upload more consistently now.

 

[Elvis Starburst]

Believe it baby~ I'm trying desperately to upload more consistently now.

So it IS ending! SHIT!
All kidding aside though, that's great to hear! Maybe now I'll only have time to re-watch all of your content once by the next upload, haha (Which I actually do find myself doing every few months when I'm bored. It's good stuff to Minecraft with in the background~). Looking forward to your next bit of content, you dashing bearded stallion that is Emcee!

 

[Overusedname]

Believe it baby~ I'm trying desperately to upload more consistently now.

So it IS ending! SHIT!
All kidding aside though, that's great to hear! Maybe now I'll only have time to re-watch all of your content once by the next upload, haha (Which I actually do find myself doing every few months when I'm bored. It's good stuff to Minecraft with in the background~). Looking forward to your next bit of content, you dashing bearded stallion that is Emcee!

Thanks lol~ The Dark Souls vid is coming along nicely.

 

[FFHAuthor]

Any feedback is always appreciated! I worked hard on this one and got it done way faster, and I hope to keep that up and post here more often. Feel free to disagree with my thoughts relentlessly. I like debate~

Very interesting video, I'll have to start lurking your channel you've got some intriguing perspectives on stuff. Really liked the concepts you put forward on the Minecraft video, made me look back at my own gameplay and interactions with a fresh eye and I surprised myself.

 

[MoltenSilver]

Firewatch built up interesting concepts and it had good ideas it wanted to play with, but then the end practically record-scratches to a super-judgemental/preachy in-your-face message, and a message I find quite abhorrent at that. I'm not saying the story had to go full cosmic horror after the buildup, or that the twist in it is inherently bad, but the execution was just horribly, horribly bungled.

Edit: having watched the video now, the main interesting thing I find is 1) your conclusion is the message about escapism hit home for you while it came across as distasteful to me, and 2) (if I understand correctly) that one of your main complaints is the number of meaningless red-herrings, while I think the story might have been able to justify the number of distractions if the narrative, message, and pacing fit together better so as to really punch hard on the 'these people (and everyone really) saw patterns and convinced themselves of a self-important false reality' and wove the distractions better in as part of that aspect.

ps. you are very attractive and so is your beard

 

[Overusedname]

Firewatch built up interesting concepts and it had good ideas it wanted to play with, but then the end practically record-scratches to a super-judgemental/preachy in-your-face message, and a message I find quite abhorrent at that. I'm not saying the story had to go full cosmic horror after the buildup, or that the twist in it is inherently bad, but the execution was just horribly, horribly bungled.

Edit: having watched the video now, the main interesting thing I find is 1) your conclusion is the message about escapism hit home for you while it came across as distasteful to me, and 2) (if I understand correctly) that one of your main complaints is the number of meaningless red-herrings, while I think the story might have been able to justify the number of distractions if the narrative, message, and pacing fit together better so as to really punch hard on the 'these people (and everyone really) saw patterns and convinced themselves of a self-important false reality' and wove the distractions better in as part of that aspect.

ps. you are very attractive and so is your beard

Oh my~ Thank you.

But yeah, I think it's interesting that you, and few other people, have actually said I'm being TOO generous with this game's ending in a way. But overall we agree. I don't think the twist is all that awful, just...damn it could have been done better.

 

[Overusedname]

Any feedback is always appreciated! I worked hard on this one and got it done way faster, and I hope to keep that up and post here more often. Feel free to disagree with my thoughts relentlessly. I like debate~

Very interesting video, I'll have to start lurking your channel you've got some intriguing perspectives on stuff. Really liked the concepts you put forward on the Minecraft video, made me look back at my own gameplay and interactions with a fresh eye and I surprised myself.

Thanks man! Glad you enjoyed.

 

[SomethingWorse]

Good stuff as always. Pretty damn funny, and good points. I was kinda mixed on the ending, and still am, but I gotta admit, you made me hate it a bit more lol. I don't think it's that bad, but it's hard to deny they could have done a better job. I don't think they had to sacrifice everything else good about the game to make their point at the end. I still like how unique the ending is, but you make a good argument. Good stuff.

Have you heard of 'Gone Home' btw?

Thanks! And I have. I hear similar complaints about it's ending, but don't know much more.

If you enjoyed the 'ride' of Firewatch while it lasted, you'll probably enjoy Gone Home, for what it's worth. I don't think the ending is as widely hated as Firewatches. I would say the end is it's weak point, but it's quick and fun. And spooky.

 

[Overusedname]

If you enjoyed the 'ride' of Firewatch while it lasted, you'll probably enjoy Gone Home, for what it's worth. I don't think the ending is as widely hated as Firewatches. I would say the end is it's weak point, but it's quick and fun. And spooky.

Hm...I'll look up some stuff on it and see.