Firewatch: Escapism & Deliberate Disappointment | A Video Essay

Firewatch is a video game that was both heavily praised and criticized, with many finding the ending unfulfilling. In this video, I take an analytical look at Firewatch and explain why I think the ending is perfect.
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Created as a final project for Dr. Delwiche's Media Texts course.
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[@do0mzday23-_-8]

Fantastic video, I agree. There was a lot of speculation and theories. About who Delilah was talking to that one time on the radio early on, or her connection with Ned or anything. Whether the fan speculation was intended by the devs or a beautiful coincidence, I think it's great. This game makes you speculate, our brains default to imagine a bigger picture. But it's not. There's not some hidden lore, it's just face value. It's just about a lost husband wanting escape. There's no government, it's just a sad man. This game had such a realistic, brute impact on me that I'll never stop talking about it. It's one of my favorite short stories. In the span of a few hours, it did what most others games can't. It had a link between the characters escape and reality and yours. It left you alone. With nothing but a memory. I remember being really upset when I couldn't see Delilah. I wanted to see her so badly. It tore my heart man, and I was playing with my gf lol. Just shows how amazing this game is.

[@Rendiermans]

Your voice is great for this type of stuff! Enjoyed this a lot, keep it up!

[@petertotten6479]

Great video man I really enjoyed it! - Someone who found firewatch recently and is in love with it

[@gabrielwilliams8893]

Great video man, really enjoyed watching. I would love it if you did walkthroughs on different games or keep doing what your doing!

[@HanzalaAhmad_]

This is criminally underrated broooo.

[@wadiiie8520]

Thank you for this masterpiece , great job mate

[@jdanr1866]

One thing I find interesting is that most commentators assume they never see each other. Yes, it's unlikely they will ever be together and have a relationship. But the helicopter trip is a short one. Delilah especially is going to have to "answer a lot of questions", so I doubt she will be finished when Henry gets there. He will have no problem finding her. Maybe Delilah blows him off when he approaches her, but she doesn't seem that cold. So the idea that they will never meet is a stretch.

[@CartrND]

Dude, you killed this. Everything from the writing to the editing is terrific. I was looking for inspiration to write about Firewatch and you’ve totally blown me away. Excellent work my friend!

[@AmeyaKhandekar28]

This Video Essay is so good! I have been periodically rewatching this video since you posted the link in the subreddit... Great narration Jake!

[@nitronix2787]

Holy shit, this was made so well! It really got me to think after watching the video, and the way the video ended was great! I went to send it to a friend and like the vid when I realized how little subscribers you had. Honestly really underrated video (as much as that get's said around youtube) and you definitely deserve more subs! 👍

[@wesselbakker936]

This was amazing. Your voice is very soothing. Thank you!

[@Aldo.s.00022]

Insane how you don't have more subscribers. I'm honoured to be one of your first

[@Emperor_Mob]

I liked the way fire watch kind of just nudged you along the story, I thought the pacing was pretty nice and it did a really great job with the presentation. Awesome job on the video by the way!

[@KlaraKluczykowska]

Ahh, I love Firewatch and this ending, great essay, thanks!

[@sablesanctum]

One of my all time favorite games. Beautiful story and scenery. Great characters. Perfect length, perfect ending (yet I too, was disappointed... But I understood why).

[@lilyvillaverde9679]

aghhh this video is sosososo good :,) u did amazing talk abt this!!

[@nexbaenex8478]

Wow this was great, keep it up man!

[@aliceinblunderland893]

This is fantastic. Thank you for this video.

[@minklekie3407]

This is an excellent video, I have watched for a lot of times, also related to this game deeply

[@rydenc1740]

awesome essay man, loved the incorporation of freud and the book about comics

[@LoFiSamSero]

The youtube algorithm will bring us all together 🙏 But fr this is a great video

[@bingo54]

great bideo

[@olucasb93]

That's exactly my take on the game.

[@JordanDCGehl]

Yes. They did run out of time. Or, they just didn't know how to end it. Great game, terrible ending. And we, in denial, try to excuse it with some superficial meta reasoning, all because we loved everything before.