Introduction

I’ll never forget the first time I played the original Firefighting Simulator: The Squad with my dad about five years ago. Despite being simple and barebones, we had a lot of fun putting out fires and rescuing victims. I never thought we’d see a sequel, but here we are in 2025 with Firefighting Simulator: Ignite. After seeing the trailers, my interest was piqued, and I pre-ordered it. Was that a mistake? Is this fire worth putting out, or should you leave it to the professionals? Let’s find out in my review of Firefighting Simulator: Ignite for the PS5.

Gameplay

Firefighting Simulator: Ignite is nothing like the first title. The changes are dramatic, and even fans of the original will be taken aback. Creating a firefighter—something you can now do—was the first surprise, and it set the tone for how different this game feels. Thankfully, these changes were needed.

You play as a rookie firefighter learning the ropes before heading into missions across a city map. You can play alone with AI teammates or squad up with up to four players. One of the best improvements is the AI. In The Squad, your team barely helped and most of the work fell on you. In Ignite, your squad members are capable and responsive. They put out fires, rescue victims, and handle tasks without constant orders. Watching them actually perform like firefighters was a huge step forward.

The gameplay itself also feels new. Fighting fires, using tools, setting up equipment, and driving to locations are all smoother and more engaging. You can play entirely in first-person mode, which heightens the immersion of dangerous fire rescues. Fire and water physics are also upgraded. Instead of spraying until an indicator disappears, water and foam interact dynamically with flames. Missions never felt repetitive, and I genuinely enjoyed putting out every fire.

Another new feature is your fire station. Before missions, you hear the alarm, run with your crew, and hop into the trucks. It adds immersion, though I wish there were more meaningful activities in the station. Still, compared to the static hub in The Squad, this is a great addition.

Graphics

Ignite looks dramatically better than its predecessor. The city feels alive with traffic, pedestrians, and varied designs. While some character models look odd and certain areas are less polished than others, the environments where you fight fires shine. Homes, stores, and apartments all feel detailed and unique. The variety makes every mission setting distinct. I’m excited to see future add-ons with even more locations.

Sound

The sound design also saw a big upgrade. There isn’t much music, but the tracks during high-speed drives to missions are solid. Characters talk more during fires, commenting on the situation and building camaraderie. Some voices feel arrogant or annoying, but overall the sound design adds to the immersion.

Story

The story is minimal. You’re a rookie firefighter climbing the ranks, with a few story tidbits sprinkled throughout. It’s not a major focus, but it works as a backdrop for the gameplay.

Overall Impression

Firefighting Simulator: Ignite shows what happens when developers listen to their community and put in the work. Almost every part of the game is improved, making it hard to go back to The Squad. Despite a few issues, Ignite delivers engaging firefighting action and sets a new standard for the series.

Conclusion

Firefighting Simulator: Ignite has been nothing but fun since I downloaded it. It may remain niche, but fans of the original will be thrilled to see how much better this entry is. Whether you play alone or with friends, Ignite delivers some of the best firefighting gameplay in recent memory. I highly recommend it to fans of the genre and newcomers who want an immersive firefighting sim.

ーAaron