Observer

 PC
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 316 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 206 out of 316
  2. Mixed: 68 out of 316
  3. Negative: 42 out of 316

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  1. Reviewer13
    Feb 5, 2023
    9
    An incredibly well crafted and immersive horror story within a cyberpunk setting. Truly had me gripped in from start to finish. Some minor annoyances with the gameplay but didn't detract from a thoroughly enjoyable gaming experience.
  2. pizzastation
    Jun 10, 2022
    0
    This is a horror game?
    The Bloober Team has created another boring walking simulator.
    They started destroying my eyes as well as frustrating.
  3. FakeHaouken
    Mar 12, 2022
    9
    Great sound design, breathtaking visuals and a truly captivating story. The game is rather short at about 7-8 hours but it never fails to amaze with its creativity during that time.
  4. Lumic
    Mar 3, 2022
    0
    don't mix politics and games, how do you treat us the way we treat you, now I know what kind of company you are and how you deal with players, I will never buy your games again
  5. Gelaos
    Jul 11, 2021
    6
    I started Observer expecting it to be a dark cyberpunk adventure game. And it was exactly that. Blade Runner-like setting and captivating atmosphere are by far the best thing about this game. Also, Rutger Hauer does an excellent job as the main protagonist. Story-wise the game is okay, but gameplay could be better a bit however. Sometimes it wasn't exactly clear what to do or where to go,I started Observer expecting it to be a dark cyberpunk adventure game. And it was exactly that. Blade Runner-like setting and captivating atmosphere are by far the best thing about this game. Also, Rutger Hauer does an excellent job as the main protagonist. Story-wise the game is okay, but gameplay could be better a bit however. Sometimes it wasn't exactly clear what to do or where to go, which caused me to roam blindly. Observer is overall a decent adventure, although little rough around the edges.… Expand
  6. FRIST_008
    Jun 14, 2021
    9
    Очень необычный симулятор ходьбы, по всюду веет киберпанком и нуаром. Если вы фанат хоть чего-то, то берите. Я ненавидел киберпанк и любил нуар про старых детективов. В итоге этот детектив своим голосом затмил вообще всю игру.Очень необычный симулятор ходьбы, по всюду веет киберпанком и нуаром. Если вы фанат хоть чего-то, то берите. Я ненавидел киберпанк и любил нуар про старых детективов. В итоге этот детектив своим голосом затмил вообще всю игру.
  7. AllNewSuperfake
    Feb 26, 2021
    6
    This is not a video game. It's an interactive 9/10 cinematic with all the interactivity of a video recorder.

    It's quite linear. There are no real puzzles to solve except for figuring out where the next PLAY button is. It might be opening a door, or scanning a book that is inside a drawer, you might have to walk a few steps or just turn around, but I never really felt like I'm    This is not a video game. It's an interactive 9/10 cinematic with all the interactivity of a video recorder.

    It's quite linear. There are no real puzzles to solve except for figuring out where the next PLAY button is. It might be opening a door, or scanning a book that is inside a drawer, you might have to walk a few steps or just turn around, but I never really felt like I'm investigating or figuring something out. There is only ever one solution to every problem, and it therefore rewards patience and nothing else.

    However, as far as video-recorder-mechanics go, "Observer" has quite a few, just like it has some very pretty aesthetics and sound.

    Having played this after Cyberpunk I'd even go as far as saying that they understood way better what a dystopia looks like, and made it lot more inhospitable, messy and dark. Observer's cyberpunk is not stylish and cool, it's poverty is crushing and ugly, and it's technology has become a prison for it's citizens. It's claustrophic, hostile and outright depressing (and I recommend it for that) and has excellent voice-acting and sound design on top of that.

    It would however do much better as an actual film or animation that let's those qualities shine.

    The plot doesn't gain anything by being permanently on pause while you stumble through it's dark, glitching setpieces looking for the next scene to play. Dialogue choices, while seemingly plenty, don't really change anything, and there is no replayability. While the actual cinematic you are "playing" shames the likes of David Cage by being engaging, better paced and way better narrated, it's still that.
    So if you like this kind of "game" this is borderline a must-buy; even with some nitpicks about the controls it would be easily a 9.

    To me it still felt like watching a let's play where I had to do all the work, and I'd rather see the movie, so it's only a 6.    … Expand
  8. Sarcastic_Devis
    Feb 24, 2021
    8
    Un'autentica sorpresa. Dalla partenza un po' lentina, si passa poi ad atmosfere tetre e d'impatto, storia intricata al punto giusto, e personaggi caratterizzati alla perfezione. Le uniche cose che non mi hanno convinto fino in fondo sono le scenografie un po' riciclate e tendenti al claustrofobico, e il gameplay a cui ci vuole il suo tempo per abituarsi (in particolar modo con l'hacking).Un'autentica sorpresa. Dalla partenza un po' lentina, si passa poi ad atmosfere tetre e d'impatto, storia intricata al punto giusto, e personaggi caratterizzati alla perfezione. Le uniche cose che non mi hanno convinto fino in fondo sono le scenografie un po' riciclate e tendenti al claustrofobico, e il gameplay a cui ci vuole il suo tempo per abituarsi (in particolar modo con l'hacking). Oltre alle due perplessità che ho, è un gioco che mi rispolvero spesso e volentieri. Non vedo l'ora di provare la versione System Redux.

    8/10    … Expand
  9. OldManGamerOMG
    Feb 2, 2021
    3
    This has been an interesting experience. While I did not completely dislike the game, I found the audio and visuals to be chaotic and overall ruining the experience. The story seems ambiguous, which could be due to the writers/developers not knowing what direction to take the story, or that they did not want to give away a possible sequel game yet to come. In short, Observer is definitelyThis has been an interesting experience. While I did not completely dislike the game, I found the audio and visuals to be chaotic and overall ruining the experience. The story seems ambiguous, which could be due to the writers/developers not knowing what direction to take the story, or that they did not want to give away a possible sequel game yet to come. In short, Observer is definitely a niche game.

    The gameplay feels a bit rough around the edges, leaving much to be desired in clarity of what is expected of the player in utilizing the controls and their end goal. The inconsistent interaction with the surroundings leads to many moments of uncertainty, if something was no completed, or if you were wasting your time fiddling with the environment. For example, the tattoo shop has several items which are delightfully detailed and interacting with them accomplishes nothing, while the stereo and other computer is just background without any ability to interact with.

    The character interactions are lackluster. While it is good for a laugh at first, the door to door interactions become tedious. The linear quest input from the interactions often felt forced. When considering this is how they are talking to an identified police officer, it also comes off as a group of people who clearly have no respect nor fear of the law, or maybe they do not believe he is with the KPD. Either way, it felt like he was shrugged off at best, and at worst, disrespected completely. Perhaps that is how law enforcement is treated there, which if that is the case, then it was on point.

    I found the environment to be repetitive to a fault. This game reuses the same area and effects over and over, until you can remember every detail of the same wall/door/lock/laundry machine and so on. There is a very limited variation to the presentation of this game. Even the same tin can of food to be found over and over, opened exactly the same and to the same not completely open top each time. This was made painfully impossible to miss when going through certain sequences where the game has you going through some kind of brain sequence, which I would describe as a bad trip on drugs.

    The worst part of this game, for me, was the blandness of the main character. He could have been a speak'n'spell, and it would have come off about the same. I would describe him as a morbidly depressed and suicidal individual, who was just going through the motions of life.

    I do not recommend this game, due to the audio becoming headache inducing, visual being lackluster at best, and a complete lack of character development. The only positive was the ambiguous niche story, which could be explained in a single paragraph.    … Expand
  10. hoanns
    Jan 31, 2021
    4
    Felt cheaply made, cypberpunk effects are over the top with annoying effects everywhere. Didn't play for long.
  11. GoodMorningAss
    Jan 18, 2021
    7
    Great game, great graphics, great cyberpunka climat. I have lot of fun playing observer
  12. Voin_Vereska
    Dec 18, 2020
    9
    Понравился главный герой которой исполни хороший актер Рутгер Хауэр. Хороший симулятор ходьбы. Продуманный киберпанк и концепция . Минус беготня от монстров и много мигающий фигня в глюках.
  13. ErayTellezi
    Nov 17, 2020
    7
    Bir apartmanda geçen, cyberpunk temalı, korku türünde dedektiflik oyunu. Birçok açıdan Blade Runner filmine benziyor. Hatta karakterimizi seslendiren kişi filmin efsanesi Rutger Hauer. Ana hikayesi fena değil, yan hikayeler güzel. İnsanların beynini hacklediğimizde oyun çok başarılı bir korku oyununa dönüşüyor. Buralardaki ses efektleri ve bilerek koyulan glitchlerle sağlanan birbirindenBir apartmanda geçen, cyberpunk temalı, korku türünde dedektiflik oyunu. Birçok açıdan Blade Runner filmine benziyor. Hatta karakterimizi seslendiren kişi filmin efsanesi Rutger Hauer. Ana hikayesi fena değil, yan hikayeler güzel. İnsanların beynini hacklediğimizde oyun çok başarılı bir korku oyununa dönüşüyor. Buralardaki ses efektleri ve bilerek koyulan glitchlerle sağlanan birbirinden farklı atmosfer epey etkili. Dedektiflik kısımları da fena değil.… Expand
  14. skamz
    Nov 13, 2020
    7
    I'm a big fan of Bloober games, having just finished the Layers of Fear series and then moving on to Observer. This game definitely feels like a "level up" compared to those. Graphics in this game are incredible and, in Bloober fashion, there's a big focus on cinematography and hyperrealism. Suffice to say, it's very gratifying eye candy, for the most part. The problem is that some of theI'm a big fan of Bloober games, having just finished the Layers of Fear series and then moving on to Observer. This game definitely feels like a "level up" compared to those. Graphics in this game are incredible and, in Bloober fashion, there's a big focus on cinematography and hyperrealism. Suffice to say, it's very gratifying eye candy, for the most part. The problem is that some of the mindhacking sequences are really difficult on the eyes, and frustrating. I don't really want to spend the time to solve a puzzle in a dimly lit room with flashing strobe lights, thanks. Also, while this is a "walking simulator", it's more difficult than the Layers of Fear series, and I had to look at the walkthrough instructions at multiple points in the game. The game has extremely dense visual effects (on the level of Control, without all the explosions), and it's a litle funny how at times I'm not sure if it's my playstation being slow, or my character needs a fix of his cyborg-juce to replenish his senses.

    That being said, the visuals in this game are really top-notch, and if you're into walking sims, I would definitely play this one.    … Expand
  15. Aloof
    Sep 19, 2020
    7
    A positive but imperfect experience. Great sound, beautiful atmosphere, cyberpunk-style and that can remember Blade Runner, but also Soma, and the latter in terms of gameplay in certain points seems the reference point. In terms of gameplay, however, the game disappoints, often too full of graphic effects, even annoying, almost forced, and a plot that is actually a bit frayed. I had higherA positive but imperfect experience. Great sound, beautiful atmosphere, cyberpunk-style and that can remember Blade Runner, but also Soma, and the latter in terms of gameplay in certain points seems the reference point. In terms of gameplay, however, the game disappoints, often too full of graphic effects, even annoying, almost forced, and a plot that is actually a bit frayed. I had higher expectations, but I recommend it… Expand
  16. AsGOGO
    Aug 3, 2020
    8
    This game was quite literally out of this world.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  17. SetPatrone
    Jul 29, 2020
    9
    Only giving it a 9 because I would have loved more npc interaction. While yes you get a lot of dialogue with tenants through the doors, you only see too few actually moving npcs. Its not your average horror game, you need to be active in exploration, reading everything and making sure you understand otherwise you wont get that feeling that "this might be our future one day" vibe. NotOnly giving it a 9 because I would have loved more npc interaction. While yes you get a lot of dialogue with tenants through the doors, you only see too few actually moving npcs. Its not your average horror game, you need to be active in exploration, reading everything and making sure you understand otherwise you wont get that feeling that "this might be our future one day" vibe. Not everyone will be interested in actively searching in order to be creeped out, you need to be a detective here. Story is strong and mind bending, plus there are little side stories that you can find, they will make you question many things especially your role in the story even your own beliefs irl. Replay-value is lacking, but I found myself enjoying he 2nd and the 3rd time as i found many more details and mini stories while taking my time with the main story.… Expand
  18. Keskin
    Jul 5, 2020
    1
    ı dont likeı dont likeı dont likeı dont likeı dont likeı dont likeı dont likeı dont likeı dont likeı dont likeı dont likeı dont likeı dont likeı dont likeı dont likeı dont like
  19. fernadoJadan
    Jun 29, 2020
    8
    Una interesante propuesta de terror con Cyberpunk, una historia buena y que siempre te deja con la incognita para seguir avanzando, y los momentos de las pesadillas son una locura total, tanto por lo visual, lo macabro y bien pensados que son los segmentos.
    No innova en nada, tampoco tiene muchas mecanicas, pero con lo poco que propone el juego se desenvuelve notablemente.
  20. PeakZach
    Jun 20, 2020
    3
    This game is absolutely stunning and fun to look at and explore. Unfortunately, the robotic futuristic world also affects your character's sense of vision and with the memory plug things get trippy quite fast. This leads for an exciting play, at first. However, realizing this is the bulk of the game, with either wayy too difficult puzzles that have no bearing connection, or puzzles thatThis game is absolutely stunning and fun to look at and explore. Unfortunately, the robotic futuristic world also affects your character's sense of vision and with the memory plug things get trippy quite fast. This leads for an exciting play, at first. However, realizing this is the bulk of the game, with either wayy too difficult puzzles that have no bearing connection, or puzzles that are too easy to be even considered one. The play becomes boring and effortless and the memories/experience leads to headaches and motion sickness trying to live through the otherwise haunting/terrifying experience that would have been such a thrilling journe.… Expand
  21. Crimert
    May 18, 2020
    8
    I enjoyed this game a lot! I can advise this game to anyone who likes "Psychological Horror"! 8hrs on record.
  22. Chubac
    May 13, 2020
    8
    Great mix of cyberpunk and horror. Rutger Hauer gives a great voice-performance.
  23. nitorita
    Apr 15, 2020
    9
    Wow, this game blew my mind. I had no idea what I was getting into, and reviews gave me mixed expectations, but as soon as the game began and I reached the very first room, I knew it was going to be good.

    Now before I begin, a short warning. This game is full-blown horror. If you do not want to play a game that could seriously give you nightmares or give you a panic attack, take a pass    Wow, this game blew my mind. I had no idea what I was getting into, and reviews gave me mixed expectations, but as soon as the game began and I reached the very first room, I knew it was going to be good.

    Now before I begin, a short warning. This game is full-blown horror. If you do not want to play a game that could seriously give you nightmares or give you a panic attack, take a pass on this. The game presents itself in the media as a first-person adventure, but it is definitely not as simple as that. If you've played Amnesia: The Dark Descent before, you'll know what to expect from this.

    >observer_ is a cyberpunk horror where you play as an augmented detective trying to find your son. The game does not hold your hand, pushing you to put your sleuthing to the test and to solve the puzzles it throws at you. It gives you just enough hints to get you going, and then you have to figure out the rest.

    One major element of the game that stands out is the atmosphere. You are supposed to be this invincible cop, but you never feel that way. You feel human. Once you enter a victim's mind, you feel your heart racing as you try to see how much you can stomach before you have to take a break. Jump scares exist as well, but they're far from cheap. They're timed in a way that you'd never see them coming.

    This game is an underrated gem that people who like horrors and mysteries should definitely try. It's not easy, and keeps you at the edge of your seat the entire time, but the journey's rewarding. The eerie environment genuinely sends chills down your spine and makes you uncomfortable throughout. It may not be perfect because of some strange moments, but it definitely deserves a high score, hands down.    … Expand
  24. BulgarianCritic
    Mar 28, 2020
    10
    This is one of the greatest games and most interesting games that you can play.Everything in it is just amazing the voice acting is top notch the gameplay is interesting even though it's mostly a walking simulator and the story is pretty interesting.The environment is one of the best features that this game has because you understand the world only by hearing from its crazy insane tenantsThis is one of the greatest games and most interesting games that you can play.Everything in it is just amazing the voice acting is top notch the gameplay is interesting even though it's mostly a walking simulator and the story is pretty interesting.The environment is one of the best features that this game has because you understand the world only by hearing from its crazy insane tenants and by experiencing the insane and **** up things when entering their homes.The idea of societal isolation ruled by technology and giant corporations isn't something new but this game makes it incredibly well and interesting that will instantly get you hooked in the world and make you want to play and learn more about it and its inhabitants.An amazing game that makes you want to explore every corner the only bad part about it is that it's short.10/10… Expand
  25. gameking
    Mar 7, 2020
    7
    Graphics are good. But lights and effects disturbing sometimes. And my eyes are tired.Atmosphere is good. It shows the cyberpunk type.Story is not good not terrible. 6/10 ı think maybe 7. I played with gamepad and the controls are not too good.But still this game is a good game.
  26. kurt_russell
    Jan 27, 2020
    8
    More twisted than Oliver Twist eating a Raspberry twister during the movie 'Twister'.
  27. sidex100
    Jan 11, 2020
    9
    Great game, I liked everything.
    For the money, the game offers a great story, clear gameplay and an amazing atmosphere.
  28. Matii888
    Sep 17, 2019
    7
    Basically Blade Runner: The Game! Well realized cyberpunk world with great atmosphere, story and mystery. The only thing I dislike about the game is the "dream" sequences... They feel really cheap to me and not on par with the regular gameplay.
  29. bandinisvevo
    Aug 7, 2019
    9
    Este juego es magnífico. Creativo, inteligente, magníficamente diseñado y dibujado, con una historia estupenda y un ambiente sobresaliente. De veras bueno. Un ejemplo de cómo los videojuegos pueden llegar a ser, de hecho, una forma de expresión profunda y adecuada. Explorativos, sugerentes, nuevos. No puedo dejar de recomendarlo. En serio. Mucho mejor que muchas películas de cienciaEste juego es magnífico. Creativo, inteligente, magníficamente diseñado y dibujado, con una historia estupenda y un ambiente sobresaliente. De veras bueno. Un ejemplo de cómo los videojuegos pueden llegar a ser, de hecho, una forma de expresión profunda y adecuada. Explorativos, sugerentes, nuevos. No puedo dejar de recomendarlo. En serio. Mucho mejor que muchas películas de ciencia ficción. A la altura de memorable… Expand
  30. Dannystaples
    Jul 14, 2019
    6
    It's alright.
    The controls are pretty annoying. Panning cameras around takes what feels like several lifetimes. Controlling the little bot things is just terrible. It moves around slowly and feel like there is input lag all the time. So you just end up bouncing off the walls everywhere you go.
    The waypoint and navigation system in the game are broken. It will tell you you need to go    It's alright.
    The controls are pretty annoying. Panning cameras around takes what feels like several lifetimes. Controlling the little bot things is just terrible. It moves around slowly and feel like there is input lag all the time. So you just end up bouncing off the walls everywhere you go.

    The waypoint and navigation system in the game are broken. It will tell you you need to go through doors that don't open and it doesn't acknowledge vents which you need to go through to bypass the closed doors. So many hours in this game were wasted wandering around wondering how to get to where I needed to be.

    The story leaves a lot to be desired as well. It's basically 2001: A Space Odyssey. Stupid alien obelisk and all.

    And just like 2001, it has a totally and utterly incomprehensible ending. 2001 gets something of a pass for its ending because that film was undoubtedly ahead of its time and it more than made up for it with the cinematography.

    This game's cinematography has been seen many many times before. It doesn't get a pass for being average. Yet it still seems to think it deserves a ridiculous cliffhanger ending.

    No you don't deserve that, you simply didn't finish the game. Why were the timelines crossed over? HOW did they get crossed over? What were they trying to achieve. Why did they select Emma specifically?

    None of the questions were answered but unfortunately the answers were the only thing that mattered in this game because frankly everything else was average.

    Yet we didn't get the answers so alas the game will remain average. I gave it a 6 because it was very pretty and frankly being in orbit around Saturn will always be frigging awesome.

    Also correct me if I am wrong but I don't think you know how momentum works. When the ship is entering Saturn's atmosphere at the end you did a burn to try and get it free again. It doesn't work so decide the jetison the arm modules. This will reduce the mass of the ship sure but you would THEN need to do another burn in order to get yourself back on track. But you didn't. Or at least you didn't tell us you did.

    Yet we are supposed to believe that the remaining ship managed to get itself out of Saturn's atmosphere and all the way back to Earth without a second burn. No. Just no.

    Also how the hell did she end up on the ground outside of the ship? Even being thrown out of the module when it landed would have splattered her on the rocks.

    Then she SOMEHOW merges with an AI and is presumably programmed to start that process all over again for reasons that are never explained.

    Basically just wasted six hours of my life.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

99
#99 Best PC Game of 2017
50
#50 Most Discussed PC Game of 2017
15
#15 Most Shared PC Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 43 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 43
  3. Negative: 1 out of 43
  1. RPG Fan
    Nov 12, 2018
    79
    A brilliantly unique experience later soddened with unusual game design decisions.
    Read full review
  2. Adventure Gamers
    Nov 20, 2017
    80
    Bloober Team’s >observer_ marries cyberpunk and body horror tropes into an intense, disturbing sensory feast, for the most part successfully.
    Read full review
  3. CD-Action
    Oct 30, 2017
    80
    During 8 hours I spent with Observer I never felt that the developers’ creativity is waning. [10/2017, p.45]
See all critic reviews »