The Operator

The Operator is a thrilling and fast-paced debut into the indie simulation scene. While the game may initially appear to be a simple investigation simulator, its snappy pace and intriguing narrative quickly draws players in within the first thirty minutes. While the alien parts of the game feel disconnected from the rest of it, it's not enough to draw away from its better elements.

The Operator, developed by Bureau 81, is a video game of very good quality due to the many options it offers in solving the various puzzles it puts into play, also demonstrating a remarkable attention to discovery and reading, which Bastien Giafferi himself has never hidden as his great passion. The title, capable of engaging, could lead you to reflect on society and what really matters.

The Operator will attract anyone who likes a good mystery with some very contemporary themes and does not care too much about complex gameplay. The story moves at a good pace, the characters have personalities, and the general atmosphere of paranoia works well. But the mechanics are built around a computer screen, a few apps, and plenty of reading. It can become repetitive, even with its cleverly designed puzzles. But the game nails the atmosphere, the heady mix of paranoia and dark secrets, and will capture the attention of players willing to suspend their disbelief at the start. The Operator does a lot with limited resources and creates a good level of immersion while delivering a strong story.

The Operator has been a little surprise that we really liked. An interesting, well-designed, fun and different game that, despite its short duration and how predictable the script is at certain points, has given us a great time solving ingenious puzzles and unraveling the mysteries of its story. If you like these types of stories, test your deduction skills, and are looking for something that you can finish in one sitting, don't hesitate to give it a try.

Developer Bureau 81’s ability to file The Operator down to its best components and focus solely on what works is its biggest asset. It’s not a bloated campaign with an equal balance of tacky and tactful puzzles. Instead, it’s a taut collection of cases that work in tandem to create a gripping adventure that encourages savvy problem-solving. It’s all cushy desk work, but The Operator makes examining phone records and enhancing grainy security camera footage just as exciting as tiptoeing through an enemy base with a silenced pistol.

As a narrative puzzle game, The Operator is very good. It never feels unsolvable, but isn't insultingly easy either, and presents itself with some nice touches.

The Operator is a fun three hours of your time which aims to break free of its desk-bound administrative labour and take you on a stressful (in a good way) journey through corruption and deceit, all the way to the heart of the web that’s being spun around you.

Impeccably presented, The Operator leaves you feeling like a real government agent, solving real crimes and becoming embroiled in a real conspiracy. It's not the longest experience, but we were thoroughly engrossed in every minute of it; our only real complaint is that we were left wanting more.

The best words I can possibly use to describe The Operator is that never once during my playthrough of this game did I wish I was on the other end of the phone call, in the heat of the action in the field, ducking under gunshots and evading danger. Bureau 81 has somehow made being Alfred more exciting than being Batman.