Beholder

 PC
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 290 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 199 out of 290
  2. Mixed: 67 out of 290
  3. Negative: 24 out of 290

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  1. Underpants158
    May 8, 2018
    7
    It is pretty stressful trying to keep you and your family afloat by screwing over pretty much everybody who dare live in your building. It's a solid 7. It's a cool concept and it executes it well I just think there is a ceiling on how good a game can be with this as your game loop.
  2. iseeall
    Dec 10, 2016
    7
    It's an innovative and atmospheric game, close to Papers Please. It has similar flaws, too: fun at first, it fails to stay fun for long, no matter what material the scripted storyline and quests send your way.

    The good: - a great sense of hopelessness and oppression, maybe even more than in Papers Please - nice graphics, nice music The so-so: - too much dialog, which you get tired    It's an innovative and atmospheric game, close to Papers Please. It has similar flaws, too: fun at first, it fails to stay fun for long, no matter what material the scripted storyline and quests send your way.

    The good:
    - a great sense of hopelessness and oppression, maybe even more than in Papers Please
    - nice graphics, nice music

    The so-so:
    - too much dialog, which you get tired of reading pretty soon, since much of it is polite drivel you have too much in real life anyway.
    - clumsy controls, requiring 2 clicks to interact with most objects. And in general, just too much hassle doing the simplest things. E.g. need to repair something? Oops, not enough tools for that. Open the shop window separately, buy an item, repair again. Why not just make the "repair" action simply spend $?
    - unneeded complexity when filing reports. Why do dates matter? Why do I have to choose correctly in which apartment the tenant lives? The game would be better off without that

    The bad:
    - quests keep piling up and usually have timers. E.g. "your daughter needs aspirin". Most quests have you running around, talking to the tenants, asking if they have this, or that, and usually the tenants don't have what you need, with no clues on where to get that. Then again, now for another item needed for another quest. Add to that that you generally don't know where each tenant is (at work? at home? sleeping?), and if you knock on their door it takes ages for them to come to the door to open it. The game felt pretty soon like a huge chore. And a stressful one, since you have limited time and no idea how to complete those quests, at least in the first playthru.
    - no clear way to turn in quests. E.g. if someone asked you to bring X, next time you talk to the npc you don't see a line like "I got an X for you", instead there is the same line like you came to the npc when taking the quest. You have to click though 3-4 lines of the npc complaining he needs X before you can finally turn the quest in. Also, you can't easily see if you really have the X for that guy. E.g. you have glasses in your inventory, but no, the guys need some other glasses. If they use "!" to mark available quests they should have used "?" (WoW-style) for quests you can complete.
    - many consequences don't make much sense and also you can't save the game at will (instead there are checkpoints). E.g. a guy asks you to give a box to someone - ok, I wanted to bring that box straight to the police and picked the line "bring it to your basement" - bam, after looking at the box the pistol (which is illegal to have) is evidence against YOU and not that guy! WTF! Ok then you talk to the guy who was waiting for the box. I had the pistol on me when that guy attacked me with a knife, but no, i can't shoot him, instead the game goes into a "cutscene" mode and you die. WTF! Things like this break the whole immersion and force you into reloads, in an attempt to navigate an illogical maze of branching storylines.
    - taking care of needs of your family and all those tenants is definitely not fun, especially after a while. The fun things to do in this game is putting cameras, gathering evidence and calling police. Searching for a chocolate bar for a virtual character just because he/she wants one is garbage which muddles the game.

    A great game in the first couple of hours, and definitely worth a look for just about anyone. Just don't expect any lasting entertainment. Just like Papers Please, it's rather a "statement" or "art" than a game.    … Expand
  3. Klewer
    Aug 16, 2017
    6
    Interesting concept, but I did struggle to really get drawn in to. You are a landlord who spies on your tenants and must decide to either report them to the Government or support the resistance. It has it's moments but overall I found it a bit dull.
  4. EvanGamer2008
    Jun 29, 2017
    6
    Fun but not fun. its kind of fun id recommend it but I decided to get a refund on the game for different games so you can play it if you have some money laying around or just get it or just don't.
  5. GReviews
    Apr 30, 2018
    7
    By and large the quests do flow in at a decent pace so you’re only rarely left at a loose end with no pressing matters. But occasionally this does happen and it’s a little off putting when it does as the game’s theming only really works when your character is over burdened with worries and demands. Thankfully this doesn’t occur too often and Beholder generally piles on the worries andBy and large the quests do flow in at a decent pace so you’re only rarely left at a loose end with no pressing matters. But occasionally this does happen and it’s a little off putting when it does as the game’s theming only really works when your character is over burdened with worries and demands. Thankfully this doesn’t occur too often and Beholder generally piles on the worries and horrible moral choices throughout the experience. Beholder is a satisfying, darkly comic trip down a morally dubious rabbit hole and will be a delight for anyone who wants to see what their ethical limits are.… Expand
  6. aditya1101
    Oct 5, 2017
    5
    Similar to Papers, Please, but I didn't like it nearly as much. Papers, Please really did a great job of keeping the gameplay simple and forcing you to focus on the unnerving story elements, but in Beholder I felt like I was getting too bogged down in the specifics to enjoy the atmosphere of the game that much. And because I didn't like the specifics very much, the atmosphere wasn't enoughSimilar to Papers, Please, but I didn't like it nearly as much. Papers, Please really did a great job of keeping the gameplay simple and forcing you to focus on the unnerving story elements, but in Beholder I felt like I was getting too bogged down in the specifics to enjoy the atmosphere of the game that much. And because I didn't like the specifics very much, the atmosphere wasn't enough to save this game for me.… Expand
  7. atomlord
    Dec 28, 2018
    6
    Скучная адвенчура где нужно страдать фигней угадывая что нужно сделать а время ограничено. Проходить разве что ради сюжета который раскрывается через унылые диалоги. Не осилил.
  8. Crimert
    Feb 15, 2021
    7
    I kinda liked this game. I enjoyed the time I spent whıle I am playing Beholder and its DLC. 4hrs on record.
  9. Tomicsavo
    Jan 5, 2022
    7
    A good idea, liked it, and fun. Even in easy mode it's impossible to complete unfortunately.
  10. Wrathzo
    Mar 24, 2022
    7
    Beholder is a Russian adventure video game developed by Warm Lamp Games and published by Alawar Entertainment. The game offers the player the choice of either following the commands of the Government or siding with the people who suffer from the oppressive directives. Each game character has their own personality, circumstances, and issues. Every decision that a player makes affects theBeholder is a Russian adventure video game developed by Warm Lamp Games and published by Alawar Entertainment. The game offers the player the choice of either following the commands of the Government or siding with the people who suffer from the oppressive directives. Each game character has their own personality, circumstances, and issues. Every decision that a player makes affects the way the story unfolds. The game has multiple endings, each of them being a sum of the decisions made by the player.… Expand
  11. Baltifru
    Apr 19, 2020
    5
    I feel a bit bad giving a yellow score, but if I have to choose, the feeling that remains after playing this game is frustration.

    As already pointed out in other reviews, the main selling point of the game was the freedom to be a good or a bad guy, the possibility to choose different paths in the story. The sensation of freedom quickly falls apart when you realise that Beholder actually    I feel a bit bad giving a yellow score, but if I have to choose, the feeling that remains after playing this game is frustration.

    As already pointed out in other reviews, the main selling point of the game was the freedom to be a good or a bad guy, the possibility to choose different paths in the story. The sensation of freedom quickly falls apart when you realise that Beholder actually consists of parallel ultra scripted scenarios, many of them driving you to a premature game over. Yes, there is this nice sensation that you are always in a rush of making difficult decisions, but at the end of the day, either you decide for something that opens one of the scenarios, or you die. And the "die and retry" philosophy doesn't fit this game at all and makes it quite frustrating.

    It is a pity because Beholder had nice arguments, like this very dark atmosphere you feel from the beginning, and a very good storytelling. But dying so many times, especially after seemingly rational decisions, doesn't encourage me to play further.

    It is to be noted that the French translations are a catastrophe, about as good as average online translators.    … Expand
  12. tommydlbass
    Aug 16, 2020
    7
    Fun strategy game in a 1984 like world. Some of the magic goes away when you find the stories repeat themselves on new games, but for the price on PC for this game it's a no brainer to get it. The story it's fine and you will keep playing for more.
  13. Roman_Schreier
    Jul 3, 2020
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I can say with confidence that this is an interesting and exciting game. However, it has several disadvantages that spoil it compared to the Supplement (Blissful sleep). But let's go through the pros. Beholder certainly has a huge replayability. The game absorbs you again and again, forcing you to go through it to many endings. And to my surprise it doesn't tire! But this implies THE most IMPORTANT and SIGNIFICANT disadvantage: all these replays take a lot of time and effort. Every roommate at home prevents you from doing anything, you are driven by the treatment of your daughter, for which you still do not have enough money and very annoying notifications of new directives.The atmosphere is gorgeous, the endings are all amazing, but really it was impossible to switch between the tabs on the right on the keys?! Still, I recommend playing this game for people who are completely immersed in the atmosphere and who do not find it difficult to spend too much time. A blissful sleep is still cooler.… Expand
  14. ErayTellezi
    Nov 17, 2020
    7
    Otoriter bir dünyanın absürtlüğünü, bireylerin buna rağmen hayatta kalmak için ahlaklarından verebilecekleri tavizleri en iyi anlatan oyunlardan.
  15. m28
    Jan 9, 2021
    7
    Крепкий середнячок, который можно пройти пару раз, но не больше. Очень хорошо, что авторы предусмотрели сложный и нормальный режим, поскольку сложный не оставляет никакого выбора, кроме как быть сволочью. Игра очень радует насыщенностью событий, множеством решения спорных ситуаций с грядущими последствиями, что заставляет игрока действительно думать и не допускать поспешных решений. ОднакоКрепкий середнячок, который можно пройти пару раз, но не больше. Очень хорошо, что авторы предусмотрели сложный и нормальный режим, поскольку сложный не оставляет никакого выбора, кроме как быть сволочью. Игра очень радует насыщенностью событий, множеством решения спорных ситуаций с грядущими последствиями, что заставляет игрока действительно думать и не допускать поспешных решений. Однако непредсказуемость может иногда заставлять начинать игру с самого начала. Наломав дров, не стоит надеяться на счастливый финал. Немножко бьет по атмосфере обилие юмора и стереотипов, а также некоторые очевидно недоделанные вещи. Игру покупать однозначно стоит, особенно ценителям игр старой школы.… Expand
  16. JustinForgueims
    Feb 18, 2022
    5
    Simple and short game about politics and moral decisions.
    A little bit challenging at the beginning but boring at the end when you're so rich that don't care about nothing.

    I would have enjoyed it more if it had some randomness instead of predefined stories that you learn from trial and error.
  17. Bushido95
    Sep 28, 2021
    7
    Не плохая задумка, приятный дизайн, занимательные механики и реализация не плохая.
  18. AliceGross
    May 6, 2022
    6
    Харашо Харашо Харашо Харашо Харашо Харашо Харашо Харашо Харашо Харашо Харашо
  19. Gornostai
    Jun 1, 2022
    7
    Симулятор СССР. Игра понравилась, но проходить больше двух раз очень скучно. А концовок очень много.
  20. kezzyhko
    Jul 26, 2020
    5
    ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍
  21. Izoeros
    Jun 10, 2022
    5
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  22. drlowdon
    Oct 24, 2022
    7
    In Beholder players are cast as Carl, the landlord of a small apartment complex in a war-torn region. Carl’s aim is to support his family, but if he’s going to do so he must also spy on his tenants in order to satisfy the government officials that gave him the job.

    Beholder quickly establishes an impressively oppressive atmosphere, and the tension of balancing the needs of your family    In Beholder players are cast as Carl, the landlord of a small apartment complex in a war-torn region. Carl’s aim is to support his family, but if he’s going to do so he must also spy on his tenants in order to satisfy the government officials that gave him the job.

    Beholder quickly establishes an impressively oppressive atmosphere, and the tension of balancing the needs of your family and government overlords really ramps up as you progress. The pacing of the missions handed out is a little uneven however, and the gameplay is too repetitive to encourage playing through from the start multiple times when you inevitably fail your first few attempts.    … Expand
  23. Zodiac_A
    Oct 24, 2022
    6
    On the one hand, this game offers a rather unique setting of spying on the tenants in a kind of USSR country. The gameplay is broken, really. Your main aim is not to solve the quests but do it in a limited time and farm money (incredible amount of money). Though what will be if you fail? I will get a bad ending actually. This game has three endings consisting of three sub categories (nineOn the one hand, this game offers a rather unique setting of spying on the tenants in a kind of USSR country. The gameplay is broken, really. Your main aim is not to solve the quests but do it in a limited time and farm money (incredible amount of money). Though what will be if you fail? I will get a bad ending actually. This game has three endings consisting of three sub categories (nine options summary, 3 per one play). Based on this in order to get a positive ending you will replay missions dozens of times. And here the main problem became withable. All gameplay is a script with repetitive actions. Yep, there are a few options to complete practically each quest. On the other hand, most of them have only one positive option, thus you will replay a quarter or half of the game in order to solve it in the right way. In the end you are repeatedly replaying the same quests for 2-5 times in the same way. In addition the game can be saved only by itself at the start of the missions. As a result a few times you will play for yours without any progress saves. I bought a DLS for this game, but after 5 minutes I switched it off, as it was based on the same boring and repetitive mechanics as the main game.… Expand
  24. Soullex
    Nov 30, 2022
    7
    Bir babanın neler çektiğini gayet iyi anlatan bir oyun.....................
  25. Babutto
    Apr 21, 2023
    7
    I'll recommend this game but guys, seriously, this one-sided view of how things are done in the world of politics starts getting sickening. Because it is quite clear what the references are.

    Pros.: - Empathy. - Multiple story lines. - Multiple decisions. - Easy to die. - Difficulty forces you to evaluate your actions, also, saves are quite comfortably managed. - Aesthetics. -    I'll recommend this game but guys, seriously, this one-sided view of how things are done in the world of politics starts getting sickening. Because it is quite clear what the references are.

    Pros.:
    - Empathy.
    - Multiple story lines.
    - Multiple decisions.
    - Easy to die.
    - Difficulty forces you to evaluate your actions, also, saves are quite comfortably managed.
    - Aesthetics.
    - Replayability!
    - Art game.

    Cons.:
    - Music.
    - Annoying open-steal-earn money mechanic.
    - Overall insistence that SOME (let's not point the fingers - easy to read through names and papers) countries are bad and there are GOOD guys who will fix everything. Papers, please! plays with the topic much better and with more realistic approach.

    Still, recommend to play and will even try sequels. Because the game is super replayable and forces you to make a choice. Which is great.

    P.S.: and for the record. George Orwell worked in BBC. He was writing not about the USSR but about the UK. A hint of reality. A detail current wikipedia generation ignores.    … Expand
  26. Pizi
    Feb 9, 2023
    7
    Game about being a spy for comunist police. Good story with a few endings. Beholder is a good game but sometimes quest are just boring.
  27. Suprizer
    Apr 22, 2023
    7
    Literally 1984 the game. I love its premise theme and gameplay but its kinda frustrating at times.

Awards & Rankings

56
#56 Most Discussed PC Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. DarkStation
    Mar 1, 2017
    80
    I enjoyed my time playing Beholder. Everything comes together well, and the initial experience is fun. It is missing that hook to keep me interested in playing for an extended period. That is the only complaint I have about Beholder. It will give you an enjoyable experience, even if it is for a short time. If you’re looking for a game that you can play for a couple days, Beholder fits that bill.
    Read full review
  2. Games Master UK
    Feb 18, 2017
    74
    An intriguing chance to find out if you're just as bad as Big Brother, but it falls at the final hurdle. [Feb 2017, p.81]
  3. GamingTrend
    Feb 9, 2017
    90
    Beholder is a management sim and a moral quandary all in one. It’s easy to become consumed by the lives of Carl Stein and the apartment dwellers he’s been hired to spy on, with a story full of twists, turns, and terrible fates.
    Read full review
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