You struggle lots of issues in video video games: zombies, terrorists, and people oddly enthusiastic blue slime issues from the Dragon Quest franchise. Fires, nonetheless, aren’t a very frequent foe. Certain, there was Konami’s Firefighter F.D.18 on the PS2 and even Burning Rangers on the SEGA Saturn, nevertheless it’s not as frequent theme as you’d anticipate it to be. Firefighting Simulator: The Squad follows within the footsteps of Farming Simulator, however given the subject material, it’s much more intense than cultivating crops.
Unsurprisingly, you’ll be liable for executing more and more troublesome rescue missions. The complete recreation’s set in a fictional US-inspired metropolis sandbox, the place you’ll choose from an increasing listing of mission goals and disembark from a central fireplace station. You get to drive the fireplace engine, of which there are a number of formally licensed fashions to unlock, and a fast and clear response time will improve your XP on the finish. You possibly can select to play alongside a staff of AI firefighters, however the recreation’s at its greatest in on-line co-op, which is on the market throughout your complete marketing campaign.
The gameplay feels just a little free – you may inform it’s been tuned for PC earlier than consoles – however every mission requires a level of technique. Usually you’ll discover victims unconscious of their properties, and also you’ll want to securely extract them and get them to a paramedic earlier than tackling the flames. The hearth spreads organically, and whereas blasting it with streams of water can really feel a bit tedious, you’ll have to suppose tactically about your staff’s strategy so as to wrestle again management of the scenario. It’s surprisingly difficult: one early mission noticed us take an eternity to douse a tree – it’s no marvel wildfires are so harmful!
The sport adopts a vibrant, SEGA arcade-style presentation, with shiny blue skies and plush inexperienced gardens. As such, it really finds a contented medium between realism and leisure – there are lots of genuine duties right here, sufficient to make you are feeling such as you’re a official firefighter, nevertheless it’s not slowed down by meticulous particulars like some simulators are typically. This makes it a surprisingly enjoyable expertise, regardless of the high-stakes rescues on show, and it’s the sort of marketing campaign you may relax with – particularly should you’re planning to play in co-op with a gaggle of associates.
Our solely main criticism is that missions, whereas considerably different, do are inclined to fall into a well-known sample, the place you’re switching off the electrical energy, plotting escape routes for any victims, after which dousing the flames. The completely different constructing layouts do inject some originality from goal to goal, and there are even some smaller scale duties like burning sizzling canine stalls, however you’re going to really feel the pangs of repetition after a dozen or so hours. And should you’re planning to play alone, regardless of the inclusion of a command wheel, you’ll find yourself cursing your braindead AI teammates.
Conclusion
Firefighting Simulator: The Squad takes an underrepresented idea and delivers a rousing co-op expertise. Regardless of its title, the sport doesn’t get too slowed down in particulars, making for an entertaining gameplay loop that’s oddly enjoyable – regardless of the extreme eventualities on show. Some shoddy AI and repetition imply we wouldn’t suggest it solo, however there’s plain enjoyable available with associates.
