Firefighting Simulator – The Squad, by developer Chronos Unterhaltungssoftware and Publisher astragon Entertainment, places the challenges of a firefighting crew right into the hands of the player. Upon starting this game, the player is thrown into a firetruck on route to the scene. Performing inspection of the scene, the player’s character will make helpful callouts that note locked doors, location of fire, and if there are injured inside. Naturally, this first scenario covers these basics and arms the player with a fire hose alongside a group of non player characters who provide aid. Once this intro is completed, several options are given to the player on where to go next. The expansive option for training covers the more intricate side of firefighting such as setting up hoses for water, attaching nozzles, implementing the use of fire extinguishers when necessary, and quite a few more. The player can choose to jump straight into several scenario options instead of training, much like I did. In doing so, it is still very plausible for learning on the job while accomplishing each scenario’s objectives. While this may seem like the faster option, ignoring the training can make smaller tasks more difficult to manage such as tool usage for each scenario. An ax may seem like the tool to use for breaking down doors but a crowbar often proves itself when one least expects it.
This game offers two options when approaching each scenario: Matchmade with other players or solo with AI. For playtesting, the solo experience with AI proved doable as dividing resources and smaller setup done by AI went smoother. In this playstyle the game feels more akin to a commander giving out orders on the scene as the player assesses the area, gives directions, and helps where needed. This often appeared as having the AI tackle firefighting while I search for injured and larger fires inside when necessary. This approach can be swapped as the player prefers jobs, of course, but it fit my playstyle and led to greater appreciation for the simulator. Unfortunately, the repetitive style of a simulator caused scenario’s to become almost predictable and routine. The larger scale fires have more rooms to search and tasks to accomplish which would be better enjoyed with friends. Dividing the tasks among friends while fighting back fires will provide entertainment far greater than the solo experience.
Firefighting Simulator – The Squad is adequate for the simulator genre but leaves something to be desired. Each scenario can be completed with relative ease and speed but the smoothness of gameplay can be ruined by lag spikes and rubberbanding. Experiencing this in the solo gameplay leaves one worried for the multiplayer experience. With improvements by the developers, this simulator could quickly become an enjoyable weekend game with friends. However, for the solo experience to display these issues I see this game being played once or twice before switching to something else. Great simulators exist for a wide variety of experiences ranging from cleaning to production style gameplay. Firefighting Simulator – The Squad has the potential to join those ranks with just a bit more refining around the edges. It needs work but can still be enjoyed for what it does well.
Firefighting Simulator – The Squad is now available digitally and at selected retailers for Nintendo Switch at 34.99 USD/34.99 EUR/29.99 GBP.
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Related: Reviews by Elliot Applesmith
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