Observation

 Xbox One
Observation Image
Metascore
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7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 24 Ratings

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  • Summary: Observation is a sci-fi thriller uncovering what happened to Dr. Emma Fisher, and the crew of her mission, through the lens of the station’s artificial intelligence S.A.M. Players assume the role of S.A.M. by operating the station’s control systems, cameras, and tools to assist Emma inObservation is a sci-fi thriller uncovering what happened to Dr. Emma Fisher, and the crew of her mission, through the lens of the station’s artificial intelligence S.A.M. Players assume the role of S.A.M. by operating the station’s control systems, cameras, and tools to assist Emma in discovering what is happening to the station, the vanished crew, and S.A.M. himself.… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. TheXboxHub
    Jul 12, 2020
    90
    This 6-to-8-hour game is a perfect indie title, especially when you take into account the low price compared to the amount of production that has gone into every molecule of it. The story is fantastic and works beautifully from beginning to end, and the concept and AI interface gameplay ensure that Observation on Xbox One is the most unique thing I’ve played for a long while.
  2. SomosXbox
    Jun 30, 2020
    90
    Observation is one of the many wonders of the Xbox Game Pass catalogue. The No Code game brings us a unique adventure, with a compelling narrative and an experience that will stay with us long after the game is over.
  3. Xbox Achievements
    Jun 26, 2020
    80
    Observation is without a doubt one of the best puzzle games of the year. You’ll be instantly drawn into the story within the first few moments of being S.A.M. and become completely enraptured.

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 2 out of 10
  1. Staterae
    Aug 22, 2020
    9
    Brilliant concept - to experience a narrative not from the perspective of the classical protagonist but rather from that of the systems theyBrilliant concept - to experience a narrative not from the perspective of the classical protagonist but rather from that of the systems they use to achieve their goal. Great narrative, good choice of music, very decent graphics and animation considering budget constraints and size of studio. Highly recommend scifi/space opera fans and the detail oriented among us.… Expand
  2. Xbox_Alive
    Jul 30, 2020
    9
    Observation begins as a mission in space that astronauts are sent up to conduct experiments but that goes wrong, as a number of errors raceObservation begins as a mission in space that astronauts are sent up to conduct experiments but that goes wrong, as a number of errors race through the processing core of "Sam", who is you the the station’s AI. The twist here is that, while astronaut Emma Fisher is stranded and relies on Sam, you’re not in control of Emma. As Sam you are limited in what you can do. The event comes to be known, has left Sam with a lot of core memory loss, so its prime mission is to repair itself as well as gather information to help successfully complete Emma’s goals. As the game’s title “observation” is how Sam completes tasks. Dotted throughout the station are a network of cameras which can be controlled by Sam and, by extension, allow him to wirelessly connect to systems such as laptops and hatch controls. Documents can also be scanned to give a background to the crew to upgrade Sam’s firmware so more complex tasks can be completed. Observation isn’t a horror game, but there are moments with a sense of doom. Even though you are an AI that is built into the station, some parts make you feel as vulnerable as Emma side you have no control over her ultimately. There are a lot of instances where Sam relies on Emma to help, just like Emma relies on Sam’s or in other words you. Overall an excellent story and immersive environment. The sound design is well done throughout the game, which can increase that feeling of doom and worry as you navigate a darkest parts of the station. The graphics and visual design bodes well for affecting the mood of a scenes. It looks fantastic. The development team at No Code have put a lot of work into this game. It’s a highly recommended title for your Xbox One library. Fans of the genre or nor there is something here worth exploring for all gamers.… Expand
  4. ConnectTheDot
    Jul 4, 2020
    8
    Overall game is really interesting. Narrative driven story with themes of Solaris (novel) and slight spice of AI. You have time to play, toOverall game is really interesting. Narrative driven story with themes of Solaris (novel) and slight spice of AI. You have time to play, to think, then to play more. Something wrong happen at the station called Observation. Astronaut Emma Fisher is the main character of the story and she is trying to repair the station and get some help.
    - Sound design: outstanding, helps a lot
    - Story: good for 80% of the play time - it never leaves you, but ending is rushed, many things left unexplained, without context or background scientific knowledge it is difficult to attach deeper.
    - Graphics: **** but it works for the story
    - Puzzles: easy, but variety for such game is very good.
    - Navigation, exploration: excellent
    - Suspense: sometimes I noticed that my jaws were dropping, sometimes it was lacking, predictable
    - Bugs: game is polished, no significant bugs.
    I enjoyed this game and can recommend it.    … Expand
  5. DanMaul
    Nov 17, 2022
    8
    It feels like this is somewhat of a hidden gem since I haven't seen that many people talk about it, but if you're into horror/sci-fi storiesIt feels like this is somewhat of a hidden gem since I haven't seen that many people talk about it, but if you're into horror/sci-fi stories and mini-puzzle games definitely give this one a go. Short (I finished it in about 5 hours and I took my time), incredibly atmospheric, and with a great mysterious story. Most (though not all) of the puzzles are also quite creative and fun to go through and some of them felt fairly challenging at least to me.

    As a downside I feel the movement and camera controls could definitely be better, and it's very easy to get lost and have no idea where you're going until you get the hang of it. But if you persist you are in for quite a ride.

    8.5/10 for me, definitely recommend it especially for fans of the genre.    … Expand
  6. ttj101gr
    Jun 6, 2021
    7
    The devs have made a great job to make you feel like you are in a space station. The story is ok and some mechanics are really good.
    I' d    The devs have made a great job to make you feel like you are in a space station. The story is ok and some mechanics are really good.
    I' d like a more explained ending.    … Expand
  7. lukaszsw
    Jul 20, 2020
    6
    The story itself is interesting - wake up on the station, in the orbit of Saturn, only a single crew member accounted for. You are a computerThe story itself is interesting - wake up on the station, in the orbit of Saturn, only a single crew member accounted for. You are a computer AI in control of some aspects of the station.. A sci-fi horror/thriller though it was not scary for me as there is no sense of danger to an AI controlling cameras. Even power outages and flying your camera sphere around wasn't that scary. The story is quite interesting, unraveled mostly through reading past voice messages. There are some truly brilliant moments.

    The game play is not brilliant unfortunately. Take this - to access any of 100+ objects (door controls/laptops) you have to hold A and than enter 3 buttons - not in order, without any restrictions - it is just busywork. Other example - a couple of times you have to play a mini game of Simon Says - 3 symbols out of 8 in three rounds. It doesn't get harder, it is the same every time. It not challenging for anyone above 5. There are no meaningful puzzles in the game.
    One other infuriating element is that you have to maneuver through and outside the station and interact with certain objects. Only you have no idea what they look like and spend too much time to figure it out.

    The ending is confusing and I'd say not satisfying. It seems that some story elements where added without a reason other then that they are sci-fi tropes or horror tropes.

    Good for space sci-fi fans. Play if you don't have anything else in mind.    … Expand
  8. Mindkiller7522
    May 17, 2021
    0
    2/2/21-3/8/21 100% Story

    Boring, slow-moving story and way to many obscure puzzles. You control a computer named SAM while you help a    2/2/21-3/8/21 100% Story

    Boring, slow-moving story and way to many obscure puzzles.

    You control a computer named SAM while you help a very nice lady astronaut figure out what is going on after the crew goes missing in space.

    It could have been a great story and it did have some cool, mysterious moments-but the pacing was all screwed up due to the difficulty of the puzzles. You have to really listen to what they are asking of you because there is very little other direction. You're a computer, you should know how to do things. There were multiple times where someone is waiting half an hour for me to open a door while I try to solve a block puzzle to move the story forward. This is easily a two hour story packed with about four hours of frustration.

    The puzzles don't make you feel smart and usually boil down to-”What buttons can I even press here?” or “They want me to change these numbers” or “Why don't I just check the internet to solve this so I can be done?”.

    The story did have some potential, but this is a very slow and frustrating game.    … Expand

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