Emergency Call: The Fire Fighting Simulation 3 is the newest instalment in the Fire Fighting Simulation series. Developed by Crenetic GmbH Studios and published by Aresoft GmbH, building on the foundations of its predecessors. This shouldn’t be too hard, especially when you see Aresoft GmbH’s catalogue in the simulation genre.
Welcome, firefighter!
Having been released in early access, this will be a preview of the game rather than a review. Crenetic GmbH plans for Emergency Call: The Fire Fighting Simulation 3 to be in early access for approximately 12 months. Using player feedback, they will continue to make changes where it matters, ensuring they listen to their player base. How well does the game play so far? Let’s check it out!
Gameplay
After naming your player with the most German-sounding name you can think of, you are introduced to your new station and team. The chief of the station delivers his opening speech about what it means to be a firefighter, with people dependent on you on the worst days of possibly their lives. Before you are officially accepted, you are asked to show your skills through a field test. This also allows you to learn the ropes before you are thrusted onto your first shift. After smashing a door and putting out a fire, you are successfully part of the team.
Whilst putting out my first fire, I struggled with control. The hose is constantly moving and will not steadily aim at one area. It is like you’re on a boat in rocky waves. Whilst reading the patches that have been completed thus far, I found out that this was completely intentional. The developers explain that you’re a rookie, and as a rookie, it is harder to control the hose because you have not had the experience or training. The more you use the hose, the more points you will accumulate towards the progression system. Soon enough, you will be an expert. Whilst I didn’t like using the hose at first, after finding out the reasoning behind it, it is certainly a big plus in showing realism.
Learning to use a hose is not the only skill you need to master. There is a variety of skills that are required to be mastered in order to do the best job possible. Through training courses, you are taught the necessary skills to ensure that your mind is always kept sharp, but also to allow you to undertake new roles. For example, completing an engineer course will qualify you to take charge of an emergency vehicle. In addition to keeping your mind sharp, you also need to keep your body sharp as well.
When responding to callouts, there is a stamina bar that you need to look out for, as you will lose valuable time if you don’t. Daily physical training can help combat this issue. Completing exercises in the station gym will ensure that your stamina improves so that you can make a real difference when you are out in the field.
24-hour shifts provide you with the time to ensure you are ready for whatever call comes in. Allowing you to complete training courses, drills and train as stated above. There is always something to do in between calls. If you don’t fancy playing out your day, there is the capability to pass the time. Sitting down at your desk or going to bed will pass the time until the next emergency comes in.
Graphics & Audio
The graphics are an improvement on it’s predeccessors, which is thanks to a new engine change. Emergency Call: The Fire Fighting Simulation 3 uses Unreal Engine 5, which is great in small doses. However, it is let down by the very unfinished state of the game. While I appreciate that they have stated that this is an early access game, I would still expect a bit more graphically. For example, when sent out, many of the buildings within the game are white blocks. I don’t believe that this should be an issue within early access. The other issues, like the fire truck driving through cars, are issues I would expect in early access, and I am not bothered by this.
However, while there are issues, they should also be commended for the realism of the fire station itself. Emergency Call: The Fire Fighting Simulation 3 is built in cooperation with the Berufsfeuerwehr Mulheim an der Ruhr, a fire station in Mulheim, Germany. When you compare the fire station in Mulheim, Germany, to the fire station within the game, it is pleasantly surprising. The developers have done a fantastic job at bringing the fire station to life within the game.
Something I can see being an issue of contention is the use of AI-generated voice-overs as placeholders for some characters. These are due to be replaced with professionally recorded voice-overs. This is certainly a bone of contention with some people, and I can see some players having an issue with this. However, this has been made public from the beginning, allowing people to make their own choices in the AI debate and whether they want to play a game that features it.
Longevity
Early access offers us the bare bones of the game, which makes it hard to judge if there is enough to justify the price. At this moment in time, there is not a lot of replayability. There seem to be only three or four missions, and sometimes the bugs cause enough issues that you cannot complete a mission. For example, I was called out to a job where I was expected to pour some agent; however, there was nothing there! I would assume this was an oil spill, but nothing was generated. This makes it hard to enjoy the game when even the basics seem to make it crash.
However, one thing I am looking forward to seeing as time goes on is the use of the small mission editor. This has the potential (once everything else is added) to really elevate the game to the next level. The editor allows you to share missions you create with friends and the community. Other players can then subscribe to your missions, and they may even randomly spawn during your daily routine. This is a great addition which offers so much creativity.
Final Thoughts
Emergency Call: The Fire Fighting Simulation 3 has so much potential; however, at this time it is completely unplayable. I can see the vision the team has, so I am going to come back to the game once there have been some improvements. But, for now, I will have to leave it in the library until then. I do commend how fast the team is trying to work to get updates out, with there being 3 so far. But I do not believe that at this time, the £22.49 price tag is warranted.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP5rCC8Ot94
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this preview.
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