Firewatch (2016): runs on Windows 11, Mac, Linux, Steam Deck?

Gamicality score 83 / 100

Playability today ★★★★★ 4.5

Runs today5 / 5
Design today3.5 / 5
See the checks

Steam user reviews Very Positive

90,438 reviews90% positive
Steam store page

Released: 2016
Developer: Campo Santo
Genre: Adventure, Indie
Runs on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Steam Deck
Last checked: October 31, 2026

Does Firewatch run on Windows 11, Apple Silicon Macs, Linux and Steam Deck?

Windows 11	Expected to work. It is sold for Windows today and no problem is on record. SourceNo player reports yet
Mac (Apple Silicon)	Steam sells a Mac version. Not yet confirmed on Apple Silicon. SourceNo player reports yet
Linux	Yes, there is a native Linux version. SourceNo player reports yet
Steam Deck	Verified by Valve: it works great on Steam Deck. SourceNo player reports yet

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Synopsis

A first-person narrative game set in 1989, in which Henry takes a summer job as a fire lookout in a Wyoming forest to get away from his troubles. His only company is his supervisor Delilah on a handheld radio, and the days are spent hiking the wilderness with a map and compass while strange events pile up.

What people say

Critics praised the writing, the voice acting between Henry and Delilah, and the painterly forest, ranking it among the best story-driven walking games. Their main reservation was a plot that does not fully pay off. Players today still praise the atmosphere and characters but often call the game short, slow to start and capped by an underwhelming ending. Some also report odd control glitches and stutter on Steam Deck.

Playability today

Playability runs from 1 to 5. It is the average of two parts. Each part starts at 1 and climbs to 5 as more of its checks pass. Read the method.

Runs today: 5 / 5

✓Sold today from an official store
✓Runs on Windows 11 without fan patches
–Single-player works without an internet connection
–All of its content still works (servers, DLC, unlocks)
–Supports modern resolutions and widescreen
✓Full controller support or remappable controls
✓Steam Deck Verified or Playable
✓No intrusive DRM or required third-party launcher account
✓No pay-to-win or pushy microtransactions
–No known game-breaking bugs in the current version

Filled in from the Steam store and Valve’s Steam Deck rating. Checks marked – are unknown and do not count until someone checks them.

Design today: 3.5 / 5

✗Controls feel natural on a modern controller or mouse and keyboardPlayers report unreliable key rebinding, a vanishing mouse cursor and getting stuck on terrain, and Steam Deck users find controller support weak despite official full support. Source: vaporlens.app, pcgamingwiki.com.
✓Menus, text and interface are clear on today's screensThere is almost no on-screen interface and players like the map-and-compass approach, though some note prompts that do not match rebound keys. Source: vaporlens.app.
✓Saving is fair: free saves or frequent checkpoints, little lost progressThe game saves automatically as the story moves on and no complaints about lost progress turned up, though evidence on this point is thin. Source: vaporlens.app.
✓It teaches itself: no guide needed to make progressDelilah's radio calls point the way and the paper map marks each destination, and no common reports of needing a guide turned up. Source: vaporlens.app.
✗Pacing holds up: little grind, filler or forced backtrackingMany players find the opening slow and the long hikes back and forth across the same forest repetitive, even in a game of about four to five hours. Source: vaporlens.app.
✓Camera and movement never fight the playerThe first-person view behaves like a modern game and no camera complaints turned up. Source: vaporlens.app.

Judged against games made today, from complaints that recur in recent Steam reviews and discussions, forums, PCGamingWiki and community wikis. Each reason links to where it comes from.