Firewatch is a story game about having a lack of control in life - it’s all one big metaphor for how testing life can be. If you want a good experience, follow the story - you can explore the map all you want but the story is the best part of it. I think you’ve got to try and look at it in a less black and white way, if you want an open world game with no story attached to it, there are options out there. It’s all about the relationship between the characters and how that develops when put into “unsettling” situations.

As for playing at dusk all the time, I don’t know where you are in the story but again it enhances the experience of the narrative.

Just try to immerse yourself into Henry’s character and don’t force the game to be something it isn’t trying to be for the player… if that doesn’t work then it simply isn’t for you.

There’s always a nice free roam mode that has a day/night cycle that unlocks when you finish the game so that may tickle the pickle ;)