Firefighting might not be as exciting as law enforcement or breaking the law, but it has its place in the video game industry. Because there's actually an obscure genre of video games about firefighting. And even beyond that, other games are known to incorporate firefighting as a side mission or activity.
In-game, fighting fires is ironically one of the most relaxing ways to shake off the gameplay loop, especially if it's an open-world game. Though in other titles that focus solely on firefighting, that is the main loop. But in case players want to fire themselves up and scratch that burning itch to be a fireman, then these games offer that opportunity in spades.
10 GTA: San Andreas
- Release year: 2004
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, Microsoft Windows, Xbox, Mac OS X, iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Fire OS, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Oculus Quest 2
The first two GTA games that came before San Andreas already had firetruck side missions. But San Andreas somewhat perfected the activity by making the rewards more worthwhile, and the graphics more updated.
Like in Vice City, players can initiate firefighting in San Andreas by ironically stealing a firetruck and pressing a button. Putting out fires is simple enough; players just need to aim the hose and blast away with water. The real challenge is getting to the emergency destination.
9 GTA: Chinatown Wars
- Release year: 2009
- Platforms: PlayStation Portable, Android, Nintendo DS, iOS, Fire OS
GTA: Chinatown Wars deserves a spot here for going back to the old GTA perspective with its top-down isometric view. Like its predecessors, Chinatown Wars also has a firetruck minigame which is arguably more forgiving.
Thanks to the birds-eye view of traffic, players can maneuver their firetrucks more accurately. The rewards are somewhat similar to the older GTA games; players become immune to fire after completing a certain number of emergencies.
8 Firefighters 2014
- Release year: 2014
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS
Firefighters 2014 is one of the earliest fully-fledged fireman games though the limited release did affect its popularity, along with the current culture at its time of release which heavily favored more violent action games. Still, it's worth a shot as one of the earliest firefighter simulator games.
Firefighters 2014 comes with an immersive first-person or third-person view of the action (during hosing time) and features most of the tools and vehicles of well-equipped fire departments. Do be aware that it's a Eurojank game made by a small German development team, so bugs and glitches are part of the package.
7 Idle Firefighter Tycoon
- Release year: 2021
- Platforms: Android, iOS
Being a firefighter isn't just about heading out into the urban jungle and putting out fires (though that's the main job description). There's also plenty of administrative work and logistics to be managed, and that's what Idle Firefighter Tycoon lays out.
This is a business simulation game that lets players manage fire departments and expand fire stations all throughout the in-game cities. Thus, they handle the purchase of firetrucks, firemen squad assignments, and most other background tasks in a fire department.
6 Firefighting Simulator - The Squad
- Release year: 2020
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X, and Series S
For those looking for something more modern than Firefighters 2014 and with a bigger production value, then Firefighting Simulator - The Squad is one of the hottest games right now. It's an in-depth and intense simulation/action game complete with next-gen visuals.
Players control a fireman squad from a third-person perspective as they hose out fires manually and drive trucks with manic precision to get to emergencies. The game also has a fun multiplayer mode for up to a group of four to make firefighting more chaotic or easier.
5 Fire Commander
- Release year: 2022
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X, and Series S
Like Firefighting Simulator - The Squad, Fire Commander is a hot and fresh game— with a 2022 release date nonetheless. The action is shown here through a top-down isometric view where players control the tactics of firefighting, as the game's name implies.
Part of that gameplay loop involves managing squads and keeping morale high. To that end, this is a tactical RTS but with plenty of action for players who want explosions and fire (killing fire, of course). It's a good change of pace compared to the usual action-oriented firefighter games.
4 Emergency 20
- Release year: 2018
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS
Emergency 20 isn't just about firefighting; it also includes all other aspects of urban emergencies, such as law enforcement and medical aid in addition to firefighting. Players assume the role of a first responder coordinator in this tactical emergency experience.
There are tons of missions and different emergency types that need different approaches. Apparently, these range from illegal street races to even something as destructive as a nuclear meltdown. At the players' disposal are the fire department, medical services, police force, and even technical units.
3 Firewatch
- Release year: 2016
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
One usually doesn't expect a game with firefighting in its title to be a journey about a middle-aged man's soul-searching, but Firewatch has its story to tell. It's a story-driven mystery game where a man named Henry takes up a short-term job as a fire lookout in a watchtower.
It's his own form of isolation and therapy in lieu of a crumbling marriage. Most of the fire-prevention and fighting activities are scripted story bits. The game's main course is Henry's meditative and deep interactions with another anonymous fire lookout named Delilah.
2 Flashing Lights: Police, Firefighting, Emergency Services Simulator
- Release year: 2018 (early access)
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS
Flashing Lights: Police, Firefighting, Emergency Services Simulator, as the title suggests, is a game that's all about keeping order in the urban world. It's also an open-world game, giving players plenty of freedom in how they approach and respond to emergencies.
Like in Emergency 20, players are tasked with controlling the police, fire department, and other emergency services. It's still an early access title so don't expect a complete experience, but this one is one of the most ambitious firefighter or emergency simulator games out there.
1 911 Operator
- Release year: 2017
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Android, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, iOS, Linux, macOS, Mac operating systems
911 Operator offers a different approach in emergencies as players step into the shoes of the titular 911 operators. Players choose how to respond to emergency calls and can even decide whether to escalate the situation to the proper service, such as the fire department.
If not, players can always advise the callers and give them first-aid instructions before using up the taxpayer's money. If players do decide to bring the fire department into the loop, then their involvement in giving directions is also a key element to the emergency response.