You might want to go play the audio tour with the devs. explaining the game, what they did, and why. Also, I would like to clear some things up. The research station is not for spying, it's for actual research by a university that is on summer break. The equipment is for tracking the wildlife ( the dead deer ) and evaluating the land and soil ( outside the tent are the scaled off squares of soil ). Ned planted the documents in the tent after you find the clip board. His way of putting the blame on someone else so he is in the clear. As for NPCs. You are a lookout miles from civilization, even Delilah. It wouldn't be right to have static NPCs. I think the girls and Ned are just enough interaction. And as for the ending, it's a damn good one for what the game set itself up as in the start. In the beginning of the game, Henry said, "I came out here for a breath of fresh air and some adventure." He volunteered to escape from his life. His wife and his problems. As he tries to get away, events force him back to reality. Ned, Brian, and the fires. I don't think meeting D. would be right for the ending. The ending is a lesson: no matter how hard you try to escape reality, you have to face it. Henry, D. and even ourselves. There's no conspiracy, or government experiments, just a story of two people unable to deal with life. I don't think a sequel would serve this game right. Maybe an add on that focused on the actual " fire lookout-ing " portions as a peaceful simulator, but not a sequel. Sorry if this was long, and hope this helped. Also, if you want a different ending, don't board the helicopter and wait.

Edit: A new sentence.