The Firemen

About The Firemen

The Firemen (1994) is Human Entertainment's overhead action game in which firefighters battle a blaze at a chemical company's Christmas party, rescuing civilians and racing to remove an explosive chemical.

The Firemen in Depth

When a large fire breaks out during a Christmas party at the chemical company Metrotech, firemen Pete Grey and Daniel McClean are sent in to rescue civilians, put out the flames and remove an explosive chemical called MDL from the building's basement, while another pair, Max and Walter, fight the fire elsewhere in the building. Winona radios advice and missions to the team, and Frank Weller, architect of the Metrotech building, also appears. The player controls Pete, while Daniel, who cannot be hurt, follows as backup.

Pete's hose can fire a direct stream or a wider close-range spray, and he can throw fire-extinguishing bombs. Water is unlimited, but continues are limited to three. Pete takes damage from fire and extreme heat, and the game ends when his life gauge empties with no continues left. Each level has a boss fire that must be put out in a particular way, and civilians trapped throughout the building can be rescued to partially restore his life. Critics praised its originality, controls, presentation, graphics and sound, and compared it with Jaleco's The Ignition Factor, finding it more action-focused and suited to beginners. Common criticisms were the lack of a two-player mode, low difficulty, short length and a single, repetitive setting.

Making The Firemen

Human Entertainment developed and published it for the Super Famicom in Japan in 1994, with releases in Europe and Australia the following year. It received generally favourable reviews. Joypad praised its originality, controls and gripping play but criticised sprite flicker, Consoles+ commended its presentation, music and lack of slowdown while finding it easy, and Total! recommended it despite its short length and linearity. MAN!AC found the levels too similar, and Nintendo Acción liked its detailed sprites and simple controls but wanted it longer and harder. Última Generación summed it up as fun and playable, "a development that no one can escape".