The spirit of Far Cry 2 still burns in Rescue Ops, a sandbox firefighting sim with huge wilderness maps

My fascination with fire, from Far Cry 2’s blazing landscapes to the poetic expressions in Andrea Brady’s work, has led me to discover the latest firefighting simulation game, Rescue Ops: Wildfire. This game, set in a countryside environment, challenges players to battle dynamic blazes and save lives on a large scale. Developed with input from real French firefighters, it captures the frantic yet strategic nature of firefighting in the face of increasing wildfires due to climate change.

One burning question I have is how realistic and responsive these fires are in the game. The Steam page hints that they react to changes in wind direction and strength, offering a dynamic gameplay experience. Players will need to employ various tools and tactics to combat the fires, such as cutting down trees or using controlled burns to eliminate fuel sources.

The game distinguishes between defensive firefighting, focused on containment, and offensive firefighting, where players must actively extinguish the blaze. Managing water supply and handling hoses from fire trucks adds another layer of challenge. Vehicles like water bombers and helicopters provide support in navigating the terrain. The trailer showcases the careful vehicle handling reminiscent of games like Spintires.

Rescue Ops offers a campaign mode with missions and a sandbox mode for random objectives, both playable solo or in multiplayer co-op. The developer, Exkee, known for their work on popular franchises like Tomb Raider and Ghost Recon, brings their expertise to this unique firefighting experience.

Despite the irony of using electricity to simulate wildfires in a game inspired by climate change, playing Rescue Ops is unlikely to have the same environmental impact as some activities. For those who share my interest in fire-related games, I recommend checking out Tenderfoot Tactics, an RPG where elemental spells can alter battle maps at will.