Firefighting Simulator: Ignite Review (PS5, Xbox Series X|S & PC)

There are plenty of simulator games out there. We’ve farmed crops in Farming Simulator, driven trucks across continents in Euro Truck Simulator, and even power-washed houses in PowerWash Simulator. But firefighting has always been one of those dream jobs that seemed too chaotic and dangerous ever to be recreated well in a sim. That’s where Firefighting Simulator comes in.

Firefighting Simulator throws players into the life of a rookie firefighter. It’s not about relaxing or cruising around in a vehicle. It’s about chaos, danger, and quick thinking. One moment you’re hooking up hoses, the next you’re smashing down doors and dragging victims out of collapsing buildings. Fires spread unpredictably, tools need to be chosen carefully, and teamwork is essential. This isn’t just another simulator. It’s one of the most intense and surprisingly fun entries into the genre. But does it hold up, or does it burn out too quickly? Let’s find out.

Fire!

The true star of Ignite is the fire itself. Unlike older games where flames are just visual effects, here the fire acts like a living enemy. It spreads realistically, reacts to oxygen, and changes based on what’s burning. If you open a door without ventilating properly, you might cause a backdraft. If a room builds up too much heat, you risk a flashover that can engulf everything in seconds.

There are also liquid fires and grease fires that behave differently from wood or cloth burns. Spray water on a grease fire and you’ll trigger an explosion. Switch to foam instead, and you’ll actually put it out. These details force players to slow down and think like a real firefighter rather than rushing in like an action hero.

To help, the game gives you a thermal imaging tool. It highlights hot spots behind walls or doors, allowing you to predict dangerous areas. Sometimes you’ll hear warning sounds, like a low rumble, or see black smoke seeping under a door. These clues make every mission feel tense. It’s all about reading the situation and adapting.

It’s worth noting that the game doesn’t have a traditional story campaign. Instead, it drops you into stand-alone missions where the fire is always the real opponent. That design works in its favor, since the unpredictable behavior of each blaze makes every call feel unique and keeps the tension high even without a scripted plot.

Tools That Matter

Of course, you can’t fight fire with just a hose. Firefighting Simulator: Ignite equips you with a wide range of tools, and each one has a real purpose. You’ve got hoses for general flames, foam lines for oil or chemical spills, and handheld extinguishers for quick flare-ups. Axes and saws let you break down doors or cut open walls to vent smoke. Crowbars and extraction gear help you get to trapped victims.

Surprisingly, choosing the wrong tool can be disastrous. Water on grease fires is a recipe for disaster. Ventilating at the wrong time can make the blaze worse. The game doesn’t just punish you for mistakes; it teaches you why those mistakes matter. That makes every correct action satisfying, because you know you handled it properly.

In addition, rescuing victims adds another layer to the gameplay. Sometimes they’re conscious and will follow you out. Other times, you’ll have to carry them, sometimes more than one at once. Of course, you’re not invincible. That means, too much heat, too much smoke, or a fall through weak flooring can leave you incapacitated. If your team can’t reach you in time, and you’re playing on realistic settings, it’s mission over. This constant risk keeps the tension high. Success isn’t just about putting out fire; it’s about saving lives without becoming another casualty.

Teamwork

Firefighting is a team effort, and Firefighting Simulator: Ignite captures that well. You always work with a crew of four. If you’re offline, the other three are AI-controlled. If you’re online, they can be friends. The AI teammates are surprisingly competent. You can issue commands like “break this door,” “spray this fire,” or “rescue that victim.” They respond quickly and usually get the job done. They’re not perfect; sometimes they do silly things like spraying walls instead of flames, but most of the time they feel reliable.

Where the game really shines, though, is in multiplayer. With real friends, firefighting becomes chaotic in the best way. One person handles ventilation, another sets up hoses, and someone else searches for victims. Of course, mistakes happen constantly, and that’s part of the fun. Maybe your buddy foams the wrong area, or someone drives the truck into a hydrant. It’s funny, frustrating, and unforgettable. The difference between solo and co-op games is huge. Alone, Ignite is tense and challenging. With friends, it’s one of the best co-op experiences you’ll find in the simulator genre.

The Firehouse

Between missions, you return to your firehouse. It’s massive, complete with shiny trucks, equipment racks, and even the classic fireman’s pole. It looks the part, but sadly, there isn’t much to do there yet. You can walk around, check your trucks, and if you bought the DLC, play with a pet dog. Otherwise, it feels more like a showpiece than a hub.

There is a training area behind the firehouse where players can set up custom drills. This is one of the best ways to practice tools, fire types, and strategies. It’s especially helpful for new players.

Still, the firehouse feels underused. Imagine a bustling hub full of players cleaning gear, cooking meals, or rushing to their trucks when an alarm sounds. Right now, it’s more potential than reality. Hopefully, future updates expand it into something more dynamic.

On the other hand, a firefighting sim wouldn’t be complete without fire trucks. In Firefighting Simulator, driving to missions is part of the fun. You can hit the sirens, flash the lights, and race through intersections. The trucks feel heavy, and you can sense their weight when turning or braking.

After missions, reversing into the firehouse is surprisingly satisfying. The throttle control and mirrors make it feel like a proper challenge. Of course, there are rough spots. AI drivers sometimes crash into you, and there’s no option to leave your vehicle and explore the city freely. Still, as a side feature, the driving adds variety and a nice change of pace between firefights.

Visuals and Performance

Graphically, Ignite does a solid job. The fire effects are easily the highlight. Flames dance, smoke rolls across rooms, and embers float in the air. The way fire spreads across different surfaces is both impressive and terrifying. The trucks and equipment appear authentic, closely modeled after their real-life counterparts. Victims look fine but not exceptionally detailed, and some background textures in the city feel flat. Overall, the game looks good, but it’s the fire itself that steals the show.

Performance is decent. On mid-range PCs, like an RTX 3060, the game runs smoothly. On higher setups, especially in 4K with a 4070Ti, it looks incredible. There are some minor stutters when spawning vehicles or loading areas, but nothing game-breaking. Console players get a similar experience, though of course without the same ultra-high settings available to PC.

Additionally, Sound is crucial in a game like this. The roar of flames, the creak of collapsing beams, the cries of victims, all of it builds immersion. For the most part, Firefighting Simulator gets it right. That said, the overall audio mix feels a little too quiet. Sirens, alarms, and chaos should be overwhelming, but instead they’re slightly muted. It’s immersive enough, but a bit more punch would make it feel even more intense. Still, when you’re inside a burning building, hearing wood splinter and metal groan under stress, it’s hard not to tense up. The atmosphere is intense, even with the softer sound design.

Weak Spots

As good as Firefighting Simulator: Ignite is, it has flaws. The AI, while decent, can still act strangely. They’ll sometimes ignore clear orders or celebrate too early. The firehouse is beautiful but empty, with very little interaction outside of DLC extras. City exploration is limited; you can drive trucks, but can’t walk around freely.

Quality-of-life issues pop up, too. Victims sometimes keep following you after you’ve left them with medics. Parking restrictions at fire scenes feel unnecessary. These small things don’t ruin the experience, but they add up.

Notably, the developers have promised long-term support. New features, content, and fixes are already on the roadmap. That’s exciting, because the foundation is strong. With more polish and variety, this simulation game could become the ultimate firefighting sim.

Verdict

Firefighting Simulator: Ignite isn’t flawless, but it nails what matters most. Of course, the AI can stumble, the firehouse hub feels bare, and performance isn’t always silky smooth. But once you’re out there battling flames, none of that really matters. The fires behave like living, breathing enemies, making every mission unpredictable. Using hoses, foam, and teamwork to contain chaos feels exciting every time. Co-op especially shines, with friends shouting directions and saving each other in the heat of it all. Compared to farming, trucking, or power washing sims, this one has higher stakes and far more adrenaline. It’s an absolute must-try.