Firefighting Simulator: The Squad Evaluate (PS5)

You combat plenty of issues in video video games: zombies, terrorists, and people oddly enthusiastic blue slime issues from the Dragon Quest franchise. Fires, nonetheless, usually are not a very widespread foe. Positive, there was Konami’s Firefighter F.D.18 on the PS2 and even Burning Rangers on the SEGA Saturn, but it surely’s not as widespread 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 answerable for executing more and more troublesome rescue missions. The whole sport’s set in a fictional US-inspired metropolis sandbox, the place you’ll choose from an increasing record of mission targets and disembark from a central hearth station. You get to drive the hearth 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 may select to play alongside a staff of AI firefighters, however the sport’s at its greatest in on-line co-op, which is accessible throughout your entire marketing campaign.

The gameplay feels a little bit free – you’ll be able to inform it’s been tuned for PC earlier than consoles – however every mission requires a level of technique. Typically you’ll discover victims unconscious of their houses, and also you’ll want to soundly 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 must suppose tactically about your staff’s method with the intention 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 brilliant blue skies and plush inexperienced gardens. As such, it truly finds a contented medium between realism and leisure – there are plenty of genuine duties right here, sufficient to make you’re feeling such as you’re a official firefighter, but it surely’s not slowed down by meticulous particulars like some simulators are usually. This makes it a surprisingly enjoyable expertise, regardless of the high-stakes rescues on show, and it’s the type of marketing campaign you’ll be able to sit back with – particularly in the event you’re planning to play in co-op with a gaggle of pals.

Our solely main criticism is that missions, whereas considerably assorted, do are inclined to fall into a well-recognized sample, the place you’re switching off the electrical energy, plotting escape routes for any victims, after which dousing the flames. The totally 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 in the event 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 extraordinary situations on show. Some shoddy AI and repetition imply we wouldn’t suggest it solo, however there’s simple enjoyable available with pals.