10 Best Indie Video Games Of 2016

With all the success and attention that Firewatch got in the run up to its release, you'd be forgiven for thinking a major developer was behind the affectionately nicknamed 'Forest-Walking-Simulator'. The game has sold over 500,000 copies and made over $10 million, yet it is the first game of industry newcomer, Campo Santo Productions.

As first-day fire lookout, Henry arrives at his tower following an emotionally harrowing text-based introduction. Using his compass and map, with his walkie-talkie communication to supervisor Delilah as his only company, Henry explores the vast national park, checking on downed communication lines and telling-off unruly, skinny-dipping teenagers. As he explores further and suspects a mysterious figure is following him, the beautiful park environment becomes more and more tense as Henry travels further off the beaten track and learns more about his fellow lookouts.

The team behind Firewatch wrote, designed and scored everything themselves, taking deliberate steps to avoid expensive animations and licensing, whilst simulateneously carving an enjoyable game and a protagonist that interacts with his environment in a believable way.

With artistic influences from Bioshock, and story influences from The Walking Dead, the game manages to feel like both of them and none of them at the same time, instead forming something else entirely.