Observer

 Xbox One
User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 63 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 63
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 63
  3. Negative: 9 out of 63

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  1. Lotan52
    Aug 20, 2017
    4
    Been a while since I was so disappointed in a game, and feel it necessary to write a review - my first - in opposition to all the positivity it seems to have garnered, so strongly do I feel it's undeserved. Honestly, I am at a loss as to how it's gotten so much praise.

    Speaking solely for the Xbox One version, there are times when Observer is nigh on unplayable. The frame rate is often    Been a while since I was so disappointed in a game, and feel it necessary to write a review - my first - in opposition to all the positivity it seems to have garnered, so strongly do I feel it's undeserved. Honestly, I am at a loss as to how it's gotten so much praise.

    Speaking solely for the Xbox One version, there are times when Observer is nigh on unplayable. The frame rate is often jarring, and there are constant freezes and stutters. Anything beyond a few feet is fuzzy and out of focus. Several doors literally took a few minutes to even open - so much so that I Initially thought I wasn't supposed to be going through them. The game glitched at one point, causing me to spend a good 15mins trying to work out what I was supposed to do, before resorting to a walkthrough - something I despise - only to discover the only way to proceed was to reload the game. Added to this, it also crashed a little after this.

    Technical issues aside, the hacking into people's memories was initially fun...but Blooper Team purposely decided to put all these graphical glitches in, to the point that they become, to my mind, the absolute worst part of the game. With each and every hack, it becomes an absolute chore trying to work out where to go and just what the hell you're supposed to actually be doing. Especially when the screen is shaking and these glitches are obscuring vast chunks of the screen. Truly starts to feel overly protentious.

    The games is not completely without positives. Indeed, if not for the intriguing narrative, and setting, there's no way I would have made it through to the end. I adore Blade Runner, and there's a slight nod to that here, but nowhere near as much as I was hoping, though Rutger Hauer does a fine job. And all in all, the absolute slog to get to the end leaves me wishing I hadn't spent so much on the game. Indeed, the sole reason for feeling compelled to write a review is to warn others that, on Xbox One at least, this game feels thoroughly unfinished and, even at half the price, would be too much. Truly feel fairly appalled that a game can ship in this state, and Blooper Team have the cheek to ask for so much money. And I am absolutely mystified at the high scores it's been getting. At the very least, please check out a stream or two before investing in this thoroughly disappointing and underwhelming experience.    … Expand
  2. osprey
    Jan 3, 2018
    4
    I loved Layers of Fear and had no trouble playing it on the Xbox One. This game although well acted and with an intriguing story is a nightmare to play. I don't know if I can persevere to complete it as it is torture to play. I seem to be one of very few who feel this way but I am struggling to find any fun in this game. I will struggle on for a time and may have to eat my words if II loved Layers of Fear and had no trouble playing it on the Xbox One. This game although well acted and with an intriguing story is a nightmare to play. I don't know if I can persevere to complete it as it is torture to play. I seem to be one of very few who feel this way but I am struggling to find any fun in this game. I will struggle on for a time and may have to eat my words if I manage to finish it but just wanted to warn others that some of us HATE this game. The score is for the great acting alone, otherwise it would probably get a 2.… Expand
  3. tdebug
    Sep 5, 2021
    1
    What a terrible psychedelic mess. The game feels overcooked. Lots if weird visual effects, with unnecessary flashing and objects jumping all over the screen. “Hacking” into memory is simply a mess both visually and from the gameplay point. I don't with flashing patterns or anything like that, but playing this is simply an unpleasant experience. Promotion trailers showing some Blade RunnerWhat a terrible psychedelic mess. The game feels overcooked. Lots if weird visual effects, with unnecessary flashing and objects jumping all over the screen. “Hacking” into memory is simply a mess both visually and from the gameplay point. I don't with flashing patterns or anything like that, but playing this is simply an unpleasant experience. Promotion trailers showing some Blade Runner style game, but in reality it is almost nothing like that at all.… Expand
  4. Broyax
    Oct 22, 2018
    1
    L'indé foiré du mois est avec la voix de Rutger Hauer (en VO évidemment) dans la peau d'un enquêteur nano-psycho-"observer" qui cherche son fils disparu... On pense à Blade Runner (évidemment) mais à part l'ambiance cyberpunk, on est ici dans un mauvais trip sous acide qui n'a pas grand-chose à voir...

    C'est surtout un jeu d'épouvante dans un monde cyberpunk dégradé et malsain à forte    L'indé foiré du mois est avec la voix de Rutger Hauer (en VO évidemment) dans la peau d'un enquêteur nano-psycho-"observer" qui cherche son fils disparu... On pense à Blade Runner (évidemment) mais à part l'ambiance cyberpunk, on est ici dans un mauvais trip sous acide qui n'a pas grand-chose à voir...

    C'est surtout un jeu d'épouvante dans un monde cyberpunk dégradé et malsain à forte tendance schizophrène avec des tas de filtres agressifs et bidons qui rendent le jeu très désagréable à parcourir... Le sommet est atteint dans le mauvais goût à cet égard lorsqu'on pirate la puce neurale d'un témoin ou d'une victime : s'ensuivent alors des effets psychédéliques et psychotiques qu'on doit explorer ou résoudre (?), le tout dans un environnement sonore extrêmement glauque.

    Ces surcouches d'effets bizarroïdes nuisent à la lisibilité d'un jeu à la jouabilité lente et confuse, pour ne pas dire absconse. C'est en outre graphiquement à la masse et ça tourne comme une patate sur la console ; c'est souvent le cas à dire vrai avec le moteur Unreal 4 absolument pas maîtrisé du tout par les **** développeurs indés à la petite semaine. Aliasing, flou omniprésent, textures baveuses, saccades récurrentes, rien ne va.

    C'est dommage, car l'idée de départ était sans doute intéressante, au moins en tant que concept... mais c'est bricolé par des Polonais qui n'y sont pas allés de main morte sur l'anti-gel... et tout ce qui est polonais n'est pas CD Projekt Red, loin s'en faut... J'irai néanmoins jusqu'à 1. Pour l'effort.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best Xbox One Game of 2017
57
#57 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2017
69
#69 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. XboxAddict
    Jan 2, 2018
    80
    The gameplay elements may be basic and not exciting on their own, but it’s more about the journey you undertake rather than just reaching the end point. The level design is brilliant and some of the experiences are very memorable even though it has flaws. If you’re into the cyberpunk genre and want to experience something completely unique and twisted, look no further than >observer_.
    Read full review
  2. Game Informer
    Sep 6, 2017
    90
    Bloober Team’s latest is one of the scariest horror experiences I’ve played in a long time, and its strong sense of place, story, and action put it above the majority of other games in the genre. Observer is simply the best of both worlds and is a must-play for anyone who considers themselves a fan of either sci-fi or horror.
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  3. Generación Xbox
    Sep 5, 2017
    80
    The masterful performance of Rutger Hauer and the limitless creativity for terror and artistic design shown by Bloober Team, makes this production stand out from the mundane, despite its erratic frame rate (in some occasions) and the basic challenges posed by the title.
    Read full review
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