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. Joellemm
    Nov 25, 2018
    7
    I played Observer with no idea of what to expect. It thankfully equated to a memorable and enjoyable experience. The cyberpunk aesthetic is done brilliantly, creating an immersive environment that is a joy to explore, even with the game's slow pace. Although the games world is only small in size, its detail and narrative focus allows for an expansive look at the world that the developersI played Observer with no idea of what to expect. It thankfully equated to a memorable and enjoyable experience. The cyberpunk aesthetic is done brilliantly, creating an immersive environment that is a joy to explore, even with the game's slow pace. Although the games world is only small in size, its detail and narrative focus allows for an expansive look at the world that the developers have created. Each character you meet is different and offers dialogue worthwhile exploring.

    The gameplay is my main gripe however, which is a lot of slow walking, with little tension to provoke much emotion, and basic, uninspired puzzles. I really liked the additional mini game found on terminals though. I also found the points where you "observed" someones consciousness/memories to be quite laborious, where they were so flooded with visual ideas, it gave me a headache. The frame rate issues didn't help.

    For the interesting narrative and setting alone, the game is worth playing. Its certainly immersive. I just wish everything within this setting functioned better.    … Expand
  2. Jockedamus
    Oct 30, 2017
    5
    So far it feels like a door knocking simulator with graphical anomalies that are part of the immersive experience. I like cyberpunk, I don't like graphical glitches. Maybe I just didn't get far enough.
  3. rodericrinehart
    Dec 10, 2018
    5
    The game had a good premise and looked like something I would enjoy. For example, I thought Soma had a decent story but mediocre gameplay and a slow first half. I thought Outlast 2 had decent horror but still was just a ok/good game. This game has cyberpunk and dystopia, but the gameplay is pretty atrocious. It absolutely definitely feels like a 20-year-old game, warts and all. I gave itThe game had a good premise and looked like something I would enjoy. For example, I thought Soma had a decent story but mediocre gameplay and a slow first half. I thought Outlast 2 had decent horror but still was just a ok/good game. This game has cyberpunk and dystopia, but the gameplay is pretty atrocious. It absolutely definitely feels like a 20-year-old game, warts and all. I gave it enough time to see if I would like it, but it was too much time, honestly. It was simply boring and reading the summary of the story was more than enough to escape the poor gameplay.… Expand
  4. SenorKoquonfaes
    Dec 24, 2019
    6
    The interesting thing about Observer is that, in theory, I really like it: you play as a detective or "observer" with mind hacking and augmented vision to analyze your surroundings. The Observer is voiced by the late Rutger Hauer who is tasked with solving a murder case and it's all done against a Bladerunner-esque backdrop.

    In practice however, it's just a baffling experience. The    The interesting thing about Observer is that, in theory, I really like it: you play as a detective or "observer" with mind hacking and augmented vision to analyze your surroundings. The Observer is voiced by the late Rutger Hauer who is tasked with solving a murder case and it's all done against a Bladerunner-esque backdrop.

    In practice however, it's just a baffling experience.

    The game world is well done and has a fantastic atmosphere. It's a dark, dystopian, cyberpunk style where the events of the game feel like it would be going on in the background of the upcoming Cyberpunk 2077 game. It ultimately left me wanting to see more of the world, beyond just the apartment complex that the game is largely set in. The game also nails it in the horror department. Between dismembered and eviscerated bodies, it's dark and gloomy atmosphere and other grotesque scenes, Observer clearly understands horror.

    The investigative/crime solving mechanics are pretty rudimentary. It's just a matter of cycling between your two augmented vision modes and waiting for a clue to light up which allows you to scan and analyze it.

    The mind hacking part is where the game really loses me, which is unfortunate, since that's a decent chunk of the core gameplay loop. They're incredibly trippy and obtuse sequences that are just really tedious after a bit. It reeks of style over substance.

    The game's frame rate is also pretty up and down. Sometimes it runs buttery smooth, other times it drops below 30fps and just chugs along. The game is also on the shorter side in terms of run time and can really only be experienced once.    … Expand
  5. nathanliapis
    Oct 28, 2022
    7
    Very atmospheric and offers a different style of play for a 1st person game. If this game had less problems on base Xbox one with stuttering and low fps, I'd have given it an 8/10. I am still waiting for a patch. Graphics 9/10, Audio 9/10, Game-play 7/10, Loading: 8/10
  6. TheRaptor
    Aug 2, 2023
    5
    Observer is a fantastic dystopian nightmare and well worth the time to play it you will have many great experiences with Observer playing as a cybercop in the future.
    A truly mindbending game 10/10

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

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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_.
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  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.
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