The Firemen is a Super Nintendo Entertainment System game released by Human Entertainment in 1994. It was the second disaster game released by Human Entertainment, the first being SOS. The Firemen was released in Europe, Australia and Japan. A sequel was released for the PlayStation in 1995 called The Firemen 2: Pete and Danny.
Story
When a large fire breaks out in the middle of a Christmas party at the chemical company Microtech, firemen Pete and Daniel, along with a second pair of firefighters in another part of the building, are tasked with saving civilians, putting out fires, and removing an explosive chemical called MDL from the basement of the facility.
Gameplay
The characters in the game put out fires using hoses with the ability to shoot a direct stream or have a more proximate spray and fire-extinguishing bombs. Use of the fire extinguisher is unlimited although continues are limited in number to 3. Pete takes damage from fire and extreme heat, and when the life gauge reaches zero, and there are not anymore continues, the game is over. Each level has a "boss fire" that has a specific way of being extinguished. There are also civilians who were not able to escape throughout the levels, and saving them partially restores the player's life gauge. The player controls Pete Grey, who is joined by his partner, Daniel McClean. Daniel is invincible and provides backup to Pete. Other characters include fellow firefighters Max and Walter, who are fighting fires in another part of the building, Winona, who communicates advice and missions to the firefighters, and Frank Weller, architect of the Metrotech building.
Release
The game was released in Japan on September 9, 1994 for the Super Famicom. It was later released in Europe in May 1995. In 1995, was released in Japan for the PlayStation.
Reception
At time of release, Total! rated the game 75/100, calling it "highly recommended" but criticizing its short length and linearity. German magazine Maniac magazine gave it a score of 58 out of 100, saying that while it was somewhat exciting there was only one setting and the levels seemed too similar. Robert Zengerle in Video Games magazine gave the game an 80 out of 100. Allistair Pinsof of Destructoid called the game "oddly addictive" and the AI partner "surprisingly effective", calling it "the definitive firefighter-themed action game".
