Info about Firefighting Simulator - The Squad:

Official game description:
Firefighting Simulator lets you experience what it means to fight fires up close as an active part of a major US city's firefighting team. Discover over 40 diverse deployment locations and complete exciting missions that span a 15k acres large townscape inspired by the North American Westcoast. Operate faithfully reproduced Rosenbauer America fire trucks, extinguish fires, and rescue civilians in need – together with up to three friends in the co-op multiplayer or with the help of AI team members in the single player mode.
Also at your disposal is authentic firefighting gear such as helmets, firefighter boots, and a breathing apparatus model by well-known North American firefighting equipment manufacturers.
Fire alert incoming!! What are you waiting for? Every minute counts! Pull on your boots, start the engine of your fire truck, turn on the lights and siren, and take the shortest route to the deployment location to fight the fire and save lives.
Whether in the industrial area, the suburbs, or downtown: Your city needs you!
*   The multiplayer co-op mode allows you to play in a team with up to three friends to save lives and, of course, fight fires. Within the team you are free to assume whichever role that suits you most.
*   In single player mode, you will experience up close what it means to fight fires in a major US city as the leader of an experienced firefighting team. Thanks to the intuitive command UI, you take control of assigning tasks to your AI colleagues and jump right into the thick of the action yourself.
*   Advanced fire simulation, including water, smoke, heat, back drafts, flashovers, grease fires, and a wide range of other causes of fires, such as electronics, chemicals, and explosions.
*   A complex physics system ensures the realistic representation of the destruction caused by dynamically spreading fire.
*   Drive five licensed Rosenbauer America fire trucks, such as the TP3® Pumper, or the T-Rex® hydraulic platform through a large US city – also in cockpit view.
*   Use authentic equipment by well-known US firefighting industry brands, such as Cairns®, MSA G1® SCBA, and HAIX®.
*   Great replay value thanks to 40 different deployment locations, each offering several ways to beat the fires, both day and night.
*   Comprehensive tutorial, radio communications, and character recordings in English, as well as subtitles in several languages, and faithfully recreated engine sounds for an even denser atmosphere.
*   A detailed 15k acres large US city with different districts, such as an industrial area, suburbs, and downtown.
*   Supports standard steering wheels and gamepads
*   A comprehensive tutorial takes you through the basics of fighting fires.

Release date: Nov 17, 2020

Categories: Simulation, Cooperative Multiplayer, Emergency Simulation, Vehicle Piloting, Realistic Simulation, Team Management, Single-player, Multiplayer

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 75; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant technical issues with the game, particularly concerning controller support and game stability. Several users report bugs, glitches, and fatal errors that crash the game, which are critical barriers to a seamless gaming experience. Additionally, there are mentions of the game not launching on certain systems. Despite these issues, some users provide positive feedback on the control scheme, indicating that it is well-implemented and functional. The game's difficulty is also noted, with comments suggesting a wide range of challenge levels.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Accurate firefighting experience (weight 0.94): Players appreciate the game's accurate representation of firefighting, including the use of trucks and tactical teamwork. The game is considered one of the best firefighting simulators available.
- Realistic fire mechanics (weight 0.73): The game is praised for its realistic fire mechanics, including fire propagation, smoke simulation, and different types of fires. These details make the firefighting experience feel alive and authentic.
- High-quality graphics and sound (weight 0.52): The game features good graphics and sound effects that enhance the overall atmosphere. Players appreciate the visual and auditory details that contribute to the immersive experience.
- Open world and varied missions (weight 0.26): The game features an open-world map with various missions that unlock over time. Players can control firefighters and assign different tasks, adding depth to the gameplay.
- Good optimization and AI (weight 0.23): The game is well-optimized and features good AI management, contributing to smooth gameplay dynamics. Players appreciate the technical aspects that enhance the overall experience.
- Solid co-op experience (weight 0.16): The game features a solid co-op experience where teamwork is key. Players enjoy the cooperative multiplayer mode.
- Detailed and realistic vehicles (weight 0.16): The game includes detailed and realistic vehicles, adding to the overall authenticity and enjoyment of the gameplay.
- Good value for money (weight 0.15): Players feel that the game offers good value for its price, making it an enjoyable and reasonable purchase.

Common complaints:
- Poor AI behavior (weight 0.84): The AI in the game is often criticized for being unintelligent, unresponsive, and sometimes getting in the way. This includes issues with AI squad members and firefighters not performing tasks effectively.
- Repetitive mission structure (weight 0.7): Players frequently mention that the missions lack variety and become monotonous quickly. This is a common issue that affects the overall enjoyment and replayability of the game.
- Unrealistic gameplay mechanics (weight 0.66): The game is criticized for its lack of realism, particularly in firefighting mechanics, fire behavior, and overall simulation. Players expect more accurate and detailed simulations.
- Frequent bugs and crashes (weight 0.47): The game suffers from numerous bugs and frequent crashes, which disrupt the gameplay experience. This includes issues in both single-player and multiplayer modes.
- Lack of content and depth (weight 0.43): Many players feel that the game lacks sufficient content and depth, including a lack of variety in missions, detailed tasks, and an open world. This makes the game feel shallow and incomplete.
- Poor vehicle handling (weight 0.35): The vehicle driving mechanics are criticized for being clumsy, unrealistic, and lackluster. This affects the overall immersion and enjoyment of the game.
- Game abandonment by developers (weight 0.3): Players are disappointed that the developers have abandoned the game, leading to a lack of support and further development. This has resulted in unresolved bugs and issues.
- Fire extinguishing issues (weight 0.19): Players find the fire extinguishing process slow and frustrating. Fires take too long to put out and often reignite quickly, making the gameplay tedious.
- Limited firefighting tools (weight 0.15): Players feel that there are not enough tools available for firefighting, limiting the gameplay experience and making it less immersive.
- Not suitable for solo play (weight 0.15): The game is criticized for not being enjoyable or even possible to play solo, which limits its appeal to a wider audience.
- Multiplayer functionality issues (weight 0.14): Multiplayer mode is reported to be non-functional or problematic, which is a significant issue for players who enjoy cooperative gameplay.
- Lack of emergency vehicle details (weight 0.13): Players note a lack of attention to detail in emergency vehicles, particularly in emergency lighting, which detracts from the realism of the game.

Gameplay feedback:
- Tactical teamwork and firefighting mechanics (weight 0.59): The game emphasizes tactical teamwork to control fires, including coordinating tasks like navigating fire trucks, deploying hoses, rescuing civilians, and extinguishing fires. It involves detailed firefighting tasks and tools, with AI firefighters assisting in various roles.
- Realistic fire behavior and simulation (weight 0.47): The game features realistic fire dynamics and behavior, with fires spreading randomly based on environmental conditions. Understanding fire propagation is crucial for effective firefighting.
- Variety of mission types (weight 0.4): The game offers a variety of missions, including residential fires, warehouse fires, and vehicle fires. Missions range from simple trash can fires to large-scale fires in multi-story buildings.
- Multiplayer and co-op modes (weight 0.31): The game offers multiplayer functionality, including a multiplayer mode for up to four players and co-op gameplay, which is described as fun and engaging.
- Comprehensive firefighting experience (weight 0.3): The game includes driving to the event, setting up equipment, and actual firefighting. It also covers the difficulties of navigating fire trucks through traffic and the cleanup process after the fire is out.
- AI behavior and control (weight 0.29): The game includes intuitive AI behavior, allowing players to issue commands to AI within visible range. AI-controlled teammates are available in single-player mode.
- Variety in vehicles and equipment (weight 0.29): The game features a variety of vehicle types and a larger fleet of vehicles, enhancing the gameplay experience.
- Training and educational content (weight 0.18): The game offers a detailed training section for different types of firefighting, including information about backdrafts and grease fires. The training is described as practical and useful.
- Graphics and visuals (weight 0.1): The game is praised for its good graphics, which are described as clean and pleasant, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

Performance notes:
- Frequent game crashes (weight 0.32): Many players report that the game crashes often, especially in multiplayer mode. This issue severely impacts the gameplay experience.
- Occasional bugs (weight 0.3): Players have noted occasional bugs, including specific issues like NPC stacking and various glitches.
- FPS drops (weight 0.2): Significant FPS drops are reported by many players, affecting the smoothness of the gameplay.
- Optimization issues (weight 0.19): There are reports of gameplay optimization issues and performance problems, especially on lower-end PCs.
- Driving mechanics issues (weight 0.17): The driving mechanics are criticized for feeling heavy, awkward, or unrealistic. Some players find them too simple or soft.
- High system requirements (weight 0.15): The game requires high system specifications to run smoothly, which may be a barrier for some players.
- Graphics and performance issues (weight 0.15): Graphics quality and performance depend heavily on the player's hardware. Some players experience stuttering and lag.
- Network and multiplayer issues (weight 0.1): There are reports of network issues and problems with multiplayer functionality, including friends being unable to open the game.
- Needs polish and debugging (weight 0.06): Players feel that the game needs more polish and debugging to improve the overall experience.
- Game broken after update (weight 0.06): Some players report that the game becomes broken or unplayable after certain updates.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for firefighting fans (weight 0.62): The game is highly recommended for those interested in firefighting and simulation games.
- Specific improvements needed (weight 0.49): Players have suggested various specific improvements such as adjustable water jets, more missions, better vehicle details, and improved immersion elements.
- Buy on sale (weight 0.43): Many players suggest purchasing the game during a sale for better value.
- Better with friends (weight 0.27): Playing with friends enhances the experience significantly.
- Not recommended at full price (weight 0.26): Several reviews advise against buying the game at its full price, suggesting it's not worth it.
- Wait for improvements or sequel (weight 0.14): Some reviews suggest waiting for future improvements or a sequel.
- Lacks personalization and realism (weight 0.1): The game is criticized for lacking character and vehicle customization, as well as realism in certain aspects.
- Tutorial improvements needed (weight 0.06): Suggestions for fixing specific issues in the tutorial to improve the learning experience.
- More instrumental options (weight 0.06): Players wish for more options to switch instrumentals, indicating a desire for more control over the gameplay experience.
- Technical limitations noted (weight 0.06): The game is recommended only if played on the same computer, indicating potential technical limitations.
- Modding community support (weight 0.06): Players express a desire for the modding community to add more vehicles, indicating interest in expanded content.
- Increase squad capacity (weight 0.06): Suggestions to increase the squad capacity to more than 4 players, indicating a desire for larger multiplayer experiences.
- Suggestions for real-life experience (weight 0.05): Some suggest trying a real-life ride-along for a true firefighting experience, indicating the game may not fully capture the realism desired.
- Allow moving ladders (weight 0.05): Players want the ability to move ladders around the map, indicating a need for more dynamic gameplay elements.

Other player notes:
- Players mention Steam Deck (weight 0.06): Some players have mentioned playing the game on Steam Deck, indicating interest in its compatibility and performance on this platform.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.41): Players are frustrated primarily due to frequent game crashes, poor AI behavior, and repetitive missions. Additionally, performance issues such as FPS drops, stiff controls, and lack of engaging mechanics contribute to this frustration. The game's lack of optimization and various bugs further exacerbate the negative experience.
- Disappointment (weight 0.28): Players feel disappointed due to the game's unrealistic gameplay and lack of proper firefighting systems. The game is perceived as unfinished, repetitive, and abandoned by developers, leading to a lack of depth and variety in missions. The absence of updates and new content also contributes to this disappointment.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.15): Players find satisfaction in the game's realistic representation of firefighting and the coordinated efforts required in missions. The intuitive controls, good graphics, and well-made gameplay mechanics contribute to a satisfying experience. The authentic procedures and variety of tasks also enhance player satisfaction.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.12): Players enjoy the game for its fun and immersive gameplay experience, particularly in co-op mode. The detailed and intense firefighting experience, along with the variety of fire trucks, adds to the enjoyment. Playing with friends and the overall good aspects of the game contribute to a positive experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.11): Players are excited about the educational and fun gameplay experience, as well as the realistic fire mechanics and graphics. The multiplayer mode and detailed simulation aspects of the game also generate excitement. The cooperative element and realistic environment perfectly capture the tension and team spirit of firefighting.
- Boredom (weight 0.07): Players experience boredom due to the game's repetitive tasks and limited activities. The slow pacing and lack of variety in missions contribute to a monotonous experience. The repetitive nature of the gameplay quickly leads to boredom.
- Frustrated (weight 0.05): Players are frustrated with the unrealistic firefighting mechanics and persistent bugs. AI issues and critical bugs that remain unfixed contribute to this frustration. The overall gameplay mechanics and lack of realism further exacerbate the negative experience.
- Joy (weight 0.05): Players find joy in playing co-op with friends and enjoying the fun and engaging gameplay. The game's potential and the overall enjoyable experience contribute to a sense of joy. The positive aspects of the game, such as its fun mechanics, enhance this emotion.
- Disappointment (weight 0.05): Players feel disappointed due to the developers abandoning the game and the lack of communication or updates. The absence of new content and developer support contributes to this disappointment. The game's unfinished state and lack of depth further exacerbate this emotion.
- Excited (weight 0.04): Players are excited about the variety of missions and the realism they offer. The game's ability to combine action, realism, and teamwork perfectly generates excitement. The prospect of playing with friends on platforms like Twitch also adds to this excitement.
- Hopeful (weight 0.04): Players are hopeful for future updates and improvements that could enhance the game. The potential for new content and features in future updates generates this hope. The anticipation of improvements and new additions to the game contributes to this hopeful outlook.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Players appreciate the game's realism, detail, and the efforts of the developers. The visuals and AI behavior are also appreciated for their quality. The overall game experience and the developers' work are recognized and valued.
- Disappointed (weight 0.03): Players are disappointed due to the presence of bugs and the lack of realism in the game. The game's current state and value for money are questioned, contributing to this disappointment. The absence of expected features and quality further exacerbates this emotion.
- Mixed (weight 0.01): Players have mixed feelings due to the presence of cool mechanics alongside a lack of content and dumb AI. The game's positive aspects are overshadowed by its shortcomings, leading to a mixed emotional response. The combination of good and bad elements creates this ambivalence.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Players find amusement in the humorous and unexpected behaviors of NPCs, such as holding coffee breaks in the flames. The game's quirky and sometimes absurd moments provide a source of amusement. These light-hearted and funny situations contribute to a positive and entertaining experience.
- Hopefulness (weight 0.01): Players are hopeful that the next game in the series will improve upon the current shortcomings. The anticipation of future improvements and enhancements generates this hope. The belief that future iterations will address current issues contributes to this hopeful outlook.
- Anticipation (weight 0.01): Players are looking forward to the sequel, anticipating improvements and new features. The excitement and expectation for the next game in the series generate this anticipation. The prospect of a better and more enhanced gaming experience contributes to this emotion.
- Engagement (weight 0.01): Players are engaged by the multiplayer mode, which enhances the game's appeal. The cooperative and interactive aspects of the game contribute to a high level of engagement. The social and team-based elements of the game keep players involved and interested.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Players are angry due to the game being broken after an update. The introduction of new bugs and issues post-update contributes to this anger. The game's deteriorated state and lack of functionality further exacerbate this negative emotion.
- Angry (weight 0.01): Players are angry because the game has become worse over time, with more bugs and issues. The game's current state is perceived as worse than before, leading to frustration and anger. The lack of improvements and the introduction of new problems contribute to this anger.}