Observation

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 45 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 45
  3. Negative: 1 out of 45
  1. Metro GameCentral
    May 21, 2019
    30
    2001 is hardly the most obvious movie to use as inspiration for a video game and perhaps predictably the end result suffers from slow-pacing and a lack of meaningful interaction.
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In Progress & Unscored

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  1. Eurogamer
    May 21, 2019
    A smart sci-fi that isn't without problems, though they're balanced out by an incredible amount of style. [Eurogamer Recommended]
  2. Time
    May 21, 2019
    It’s also a short game, at about six to seven hours. But it forms a tight, thoughtful narrative woven together with simple and challenging puzzles. It’s quiet in its drama, and subtle in its horror. This is no Alien: Isolation, but fear lurks just below the surface regardless. It’s the slow-rolling mystery that makes Observation so compelling.

Awards & Rankings

100
#100 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2019
87
#87 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2019

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 80 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 80
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 80
  3. Negative: 19 out of 80
  1. NewageLightbulb
    Jun 5, 2019
    5
    I remember playing Heavy Rain and not liking it, and talking to a friend who pronounced, with eyes shut, how the moment where you swing yourI remember playing Heavy Rain and not liking it, and talking to a friend who pronounced, with eyes shut, how the moment where you swing your son around (by pressing a single button on the controller) was one of the best moments he had ever experienced in a game. That was when I realized there are two different types of gamers: the ones who will excuse terrible story for a good game, and the ones who will excuse terrible gameplay for a good story.

    Observation is an interesting story. But it's a terrible game. So whether or not you will like it just depends on where you land on that scale.

    The 'gameplay' is just slowly panning around a screen using the left stick and clicking the only box presented to you, or entering simple patterns. That's it. It will never, ever be challenging because it requires thinking or planning or dexterity. It will be challenging because the interface is obtuse.

    I always think people who make games like this want to be screenwriters but lack the courage to try. They figure the bar for a good story is lower in games, and they're right, so they make a walking simulator or a trivial 'game' like this with an okay story, and it's called a good game.

    But it's not a good game.    … Full Review »
  2. psylife
    May 29, 2019
    4
    You will be spending your time solving kindergarten level 'puzzles' served through an intentionally convoluted and obtuse interface as toYou will be spending your time solving kindergarten level 'puzzles' served through an intentionally convoluted and obtuse interface as to create the illusion of challenge. That is if you consider challenging, the idea of bumping into every wall in search of some interactive pop-up. Tedious, boring, and repetitive, this is an experience that relies heavily on its audio-visual presentation in order to entertain. Intriguing and immersive, the game is heavily inspired by classics such as 2001: A space odyssey and interstellar, while never succeeding in offering a respectable narrative pay off. Observation is a genuinely mediocre game and a concrete example of what happens when the artistic and directorial aspirations of a developer takes precedence over genuinely fun, clever, and engaging design and mechanics.… Full Review »
  3. Rikidiki
    May 24, 2019
    9
    I have never seen a game quite like this. This game is practically a movie at this point. Amazing story and writing. It can be a little slowI have never seen a game quite like this. This game is practically a movie at this point. Amazing story and writing. It can be a little slow at times, but that kinda adds to the game.… Full Review »
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