Firefighting Simulator - The Squad

I like the actual fire fighting, but hate the driving. I get it's a simulator game and driving a fire truck through traffic is part of the experience, but it's just so dull and boring. ESPECIALLY when you get a mission of what feels like 5 minutes of driving only for you to finish the mission and putting out a small fire with a fire extinguisher. Five minutes of driving, 30 seconds of fire fighting. Snore. I like that it's educational, but they really should have made the driving optional. Also, hope you have friends cuz the AI firefighters can't fight fires with fire extinguishers.

Firefighting Simulator – The Squad, developed by Chronos Unterhaltungssoftware and published by astragon Entertainment, stands as one of the more ambitious attempts to recreate the life of a modern firefighter within a realistic, team-oriented environment. It is a game that trades the explosive pace of most action titles for the methodical tension of emergency response, where every second matters but every movement must be calculated. The player steps into the boots of a firefighter in a fictional U.S. city inspired by the landscapes and architecture of the American West Coast. From the very beginning, it sets the tone of professionalism and authenticity, inviting you to manage high-pressure situations ranging from small residential fires to large-scale industrial infernos. The experience balances the grounded realism of the simulation genre with enough accessibility to appeal to those who may not typically play games of this type. The game’s structure revolves around a series of missions spread across different districts of the city. These missions vary in scope, from extinguishing car fires on suburban streets to rescuing trapped civilians from multi-story apartment complexes or containing blazes at gas stations and factories. Each mission requires a combination of firefighting tactics, hazard awareness, and teamwork. The player can either operate as part of an AI-controlled squad or join friends in multiplayer co-op, which is where the game truly shines. The cooperative element captures the camaraderie and coordination that define real firefighting units. Whether it’s breaking down doors, venting roofs, or managing water pressure, every action carries weight because it contributes to the survival of victims and the safety of your team. Even the preparation phase—donning gear, selecting the correct tool, and connecting hoses to hydrants—adds a layer of ritual that reinforces immersion and realism. Mechanically, Firefighting Simulator – The Squad succeeds in conveying a believable sense of procedure. It places heavy emphasis on the tools of the trade, allowing players to use axes, halligans, fire extinguishers, and various hose types depending on the nature of the fire. Each material reacts differently to the firefighting efforts: electrical fires must be approached with CO₂ extinguishers, grease fires require specific techniques, and structural fires demand coordinated hose work to prevent the spread of flames. The fire propagation system is one of the most technically impressive aspects of the experience—fires move dynamically through environments, fueled by oxygen and material type, forcing players to think tactically rather than simply spray water in all directions. This system adds tension to every mission, as a contained blaze can quickly turn catastrophic if you fail to cut it off in time. The weighty animations, the dense smoke, and the flickering glow of burning interiors all contribute to a striking atmosphere that captures both the beauty and danger of fire. The visual presentation complements the simulation’s intent. Built with a detailed 3D engine, the environments are spacious, well-lit, and filled with realistic touches, from scorched walls to billowing black smoke that changes density based on ventilation. The character models, while somewhat stiff in movement, convey the necessary utility of real firefighting gear—bulky suits, heavy helmets, and reflective stripes glinting in the light of nearby flames. Vehicle design is another highlight, featuring officially licensed fire trucks modeled after North American emergency vehicles. The trucks themselves are more than simple transport—they are integral to the gameplay, housing tools, hoses, and ladders, and serving as the logistical hub of every mission. Driving these vehicles to each incident, complete with working sirens and flashing lights, enhances the role-play aspect, even though the driving mechanics can feel heavy and awkward. Players who prefer efficiency can skip these sequences, but those who enjoy immersion will find satisfaction in racing across the city streets toward an unfolding disaster. One of the game’s more divisive elements is the performance of AI-controlled squad members. When playing solo, the player must issue commands to their team, directing them to ventilate windows, rescue victims, or extinguish fires. While the system works in principle, the AI can often behave unpredictably, taking long routes to objectives or getting stuck in tight spaces. This inconsistency occasionally undermines the sense of coordination that the game’s design strives for. The multiplayer mode mitigates this issue by allowing human players to assume the roles of teammates, creating a far smoother and more dynamic experience. Working alongside real people transforms the gameplay, adding the unpredictable cooperation and communication that make the best missions truly exhilarating. Unfortunately, matchmaking can be unreliable, and without a dedicated group of friends, it’s not always easy to find others to play with. The mission variety, though substantial at first glance, eventually begins to show its limits. Most objectives boil down to the same sequence of actions: arrive at the scene, assess the situation, rescue civilians, and extinguish the fire. While the scale and location of each incident differ—from high-rise apartments to suburban homes or industrial parks—the structure remains similar enough that repetition becomes noticeable after extended play. However, the satisfaction of completing each mission efficiently and safely still provides a strong sense of reward. The developers’ attention to procedural realism ensures that even familiar scenarios feel slightly different every time due to the unpredictable nature of fire spread and environmental destruction. Sound design plays a crucial role in maintaining the atmosphere. The roar of flames, the crackle of burning wood, and the muffled thud of collapsing debris create an immersive auditory backdrop that makes every mission feel immediate. Radio chatter between firefighters reinforces the sense of teamwork and urgency, even when playing solo. The soundtrack is understated, allowing environmental sounds to dominate the experience. This restrained approach works well, grounding the game in realism rather than cinematic spectacle. The immersion is further heightened by the tactile feedback of firefighting actions—the hiss of water hitting flame, the echo of an axe breaking through a door, or the rising pitch of alarms signaling a critical condition. Ultimately, Firefighting Simulator – The Squad succeeds in delivering an experience that captures the intensity, teamwork, and responsibility of firefighting. It doesn’t glamorize the profession; instead, it emphasizes procedure, coordination, and the quiet heroism of saving lives. The moments when you break through a smoke-filled doorway and carry a survivor to safety are genuinely rewarding, reflecting the sense of purpose that defines the role. The game’s authenticity and attention to detail make it stand out in the crowded simulation market, even if its repetition, imperfect AI, and technical rough edges hold it back from greatness. For players who appreciate realism and cooperative gameplay, it offers a unique and gratifying perspective on one of society’s most demanding professions. It’s a simulation built with respect, one that values precision over flashiness, and while it may not ignite every player’s passion, those who commit to it will find themselves in the heat of one of the most faithful firefighting experiences available in gaming. Rating: 8/10

went into house saved people then went to the shed and it exploded and i died. 10/10 game

多人联机互动性很强，救火也很有成就感，体验了当消防员的感觉，就是游戏地图任务偏少，建议更新增加地图，也可增加一些在消防队内的装备升级，训练等内容，丰富游戏内容，增加可玩性。

Esta divertido, pero sinceramente falta un buen simulador de bombero y este juego no lo es. En este juego no puedes cambiar tipo de chorro, trabajas con 3 bomberos y al final se siente como que fueran los unicos de toda la ciudad. No se te acaba nunca el aire del equipo de respiracion, todo lo que es entrada forzada se reduce a usar el hacha; esto a pesar de que hay más herramientas pero no te deja usarlas con las puertas. Tienes estamina infinita, la busqueda y rescate es agarrar al civil como que fuera un muñeco, se ignora completamente la existencia del plano neutro, nunca lo arrastras para que no le llegue el humo, o lo llevas de a 2 con un compañero para sacarlo más rapido, y podria seguir y seguir. El juego en si te divierte, pero son tantos los detalles que faltan que para llamarlo simulador se queda muy corto.

沒朋友不用玩 AI純廢物

【2025年5月6日のアップデート以降について】 上記アップデート以降、一部のミッションでNPCがスタックするバグが発生するようになりました。 （何もせず、炎の中で消火ホースを持ってボーッと立ったまま） そのため火災を鎮火できず、そこから先のミッションに進むことが出来ません。 このバグは海外の掲示板でも話題になっている模様(・・;) 開発陣も後継作『Firefighting Simulator: Ignite』のDLC作成に忙殺されているようで、上記バグが修正される気配はありません。 実質的にゲームが進行不能になる致命的な欠陥が放置されているので、現時点では『強くおすすめしない』のが個人的感想です。

thankfully in real life, firefighters are not this dumb, and water is actually capable of putting out a fire