14 DAY TRIAL // 
Firefighting games have been around for a while, and while many people believe they are only aimed at a very limited group of people, they certainly aren’t.
And Firefighting Simulator - The Squad is proving this in the easiest possible way.
Originally released on PC back in 2020, Firefighting Simulator - The Squad is now available on consoles as well, so you can be a firefighting hero from the comfort of your sofa.
The concept it’s based on is as simple and enjoyable as possible. You are chief of a fire engine and lead a team of three other firefighters and need to race to the scene to rescue people that are typically trapped inside, sometimes requiring medical help as well, and put out the fire.
Firefighting Simulator - The Squad isn’t by any means a complex game, so figuring out what and how you need to do is actually pretty simple. The DualSense controller isn’t exactly the most advanced I’ve seen, but even so, playing the game on a console is piece of cake, especially after completing the tutorial.
The graphics are good, though not necessarily impressive, and the physics are the ones that leave a lot to be desired. But Firefighting Simulator - The Squad isn’t necessarily about these things, as the whole idea it’s betting big on is the firefighting experience itself.
And to be honest, I’m fairly impressed with just how fun and enjoyable everything can be. Not only in single-player mode but also in co-op, that is, as this latter mode turns Firefighting Simulator - The Squad into a completely new game.
If you play alone, you need to control three other AI firefighters and give them instructions on what to do, including smashing a window or putting out the fire that blocks you from reaching the people trapped inside a building. The AI isn’t as smart as you’d expect it to be, but it does respond to your commands quite well, though I’d wish the whole thing would happen faster, especially when trying to beat the fastest time per mission.
But the truly exciting experience is unleashed when playing together with a friend in the co-op mode. This way, you can work together on putting the fire a lot more efficiently, therefore completing missions much faster.
Driving the fire truck from the station to the location of the fire is quite enjoyable as well, especially as the dispatch keeps providing updates on what to expect when you reach the scene. The chatter, however, is a little bit repetitive, so after playing the game for a while, you could very well ignore it.
Firefighting Simulator - The Squad isn’t necessarily a very realistic game, despite the “simulator” reference in its title. You do have to deal with collapsing roofs and fatal accidents happening because you forgot to cut the electricity, but on the other hand, if you smash your fire truck into the incoming traffic, you won’t be getting anything else than a penalty.
However, the game still involves a lot of planning and teamwork, especially as you complete more missions and end up dealing with more challenging fires.
The Good
- Great co-op support
- Dispatch keeps you up-to-date while driving the truck
- Graphics are nice but not perfect
The Bad
- Physics aren't necessarily the best
- Audio sometimes feels repetitive
- Slow occasional gameplay, especially when carrying victims
CONCLUSION
However, after playing the game for nearly a week, I feel like Firefighting Simulator - The Squad leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to the firefighting experience. For instance, the missions should be further expanding with more incidents that a typical firefighter would have to deal with, including here chemical spills, car accidents, and airplane crashes. This would make the game feel less repetitive, while also adding another challenging factor to the overall experience.
And last but not least, one way to improve Firefighting Simulator - The Squad is to expand the gameplay to the actual fire station experience. For instance, whenever someone calls for help, you’d have to rush to the pole, get your equipment and jump into the fire truck, therefore providing you with a glimpse into what the life of a firefighter truly comes down to.
A review code was provided by the publisher.
