Observer

The Story of Observer received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the majority of critics, who praised its engaging and compelling narrative. Critics such as COGconnected, Game Informer, and Game Rant all highlighted the game's emotionally resonant story, exploring themes of family, identity, and dealing with regrets. The game's cyberpunk setting, set in a dystopian future, was also well-received, with critics like Cubed3 and GameSpot commending its unique and intriguing premise. The presence of Rutger Hauer as the protagonist was also praised by God is a Geek, adding to the overall appeal of the story. However, there were some criticisms regarding the story of Observer. DarkStation mentioned that while the story initially had hooks to engage the player, it went off the rails after introducing brain hacking. NintendoWorldReport described the story as shallow, and The Overpowered Noobs mentioned that the player couldn't fully explore the fascinating world that the story built. Overall, the consensus among critics is that the Story of Observer is a standout aspect of the game. The narrative is praised for its depth, twists, and unexpected turns, keeping players engaged until the multiple endings. The worldbuilding, dialogue, and writing are also commended for creating a beautiful and frequently surreal grunge environment, as mentioned by The Indie Game Website. The game's exploration of themes such as the dehumanizing effect of technology, the risks associated with its use, and the meditations on augmented reality and consciousness, as mentioned by Metro GameCentral and Slant Magazine, further contribute to the positive reception of the story. In conclusion, the Story of Observer is widely regarded as a strong and engaging narrative by the majority of critics. Its compelling exploration of themes, intriguing cyberpunk setting, and emotional resonance make it a standout aspect of the game. While there were some criticisms regarding certain aspects of the story, the overall consensus is that the story of Observer is a major strength and a key reason to experience the game.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Observer are varied, with some positive and negative aspects highlighted. Several critics, such as Cubed3 and The Indie Game Website, appreciate the detective-centric gameplay and puzzle elements, with the need to comb crime scenes for clues. They find the logical trials and puzzles interesting and engaging, providing a sense of truly solving a mystery (Hardcore Gamer). The ability to hack into people's minds and memories is also mentioned as an intriguing gameplay element (God is a Geek). The exploration and dialogue options, along with the variety of optional objectives, are praised for keeping the player engaged (Nintendo Enthusiast). The cyberpunk version of detective vision is seen as a positive addition to speed up gameplay (Metro GameCentral). However, there are also several negative aspects highlighted by critics. COGconnected mentions unpolished stealth segments and slow pacing as drawbacks. DarkStation criticizes the brain hacking sequences, describing them as visually confusing and not enjoyable to play through. Slant Magazine mentions forced stealth sequences that are difficult to control and irrelevant to the plot, while The Overpowered Noobs criticizes the gameplay as frustrating and lacking enjoyable elements. RPG Fan finds the gameplay in the first half to be unengrossing and not unique, with limited use of Lazarski's visions. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Observer offers an interesting and engaging gameplay experience, particularly in terms of detective work, puzzle solving, and exploration. The ability to investigate crime scenes, gather evidence, and solve riddles is praised as providing a sense of truly solving a mystery. The use of different visions and the ability to hack into people's minds add depth to the gameplay. However, there are some drawbacks mentioned, such as unpolished stealth segments, slow pacing, and confusing brain hacking sequences. Despite these criticisms, the majority of critics find Observer's gameplay to be immersive and enjoyable, with engaging puzzles and consistent scares (Game Informer).

The majority of the critics praised the graphics and visual design of Observer, with many describing it as visually stunning and immersive. The game successfully captures the cyberpunk atmosphere and aesthetic, with sets reminiscent of Blade Runner. The environments are filled with cables, ducts, and retro-looking computers, creating a dingy and fascinating cyberpunk aesthetic (Cubed3, DarkStation). The game's art direction effectively portrays the cyberpunk and horror elements, with an exquisite retro-futurist design that includes large, bulky computers grafted onto buildings (DarkStation, TheXboxHub). The visuals contribute to the immersive atmosphere, featuring gorgeously detailed environments, twisted memories, and psychedelic sequences (GameSpot). The game's graphics are described as detailed and realistic, creating a sci-fi world that complements the exceptional script and voice acting (RPG Fan). Each room in Observer is richly detailed with unique elements to pore over and admire, crafting an intriguing and richly detailed futuristic world (Video Chums). While the overall consensus is positive, there were a few criticisms regarding the graphics and visual design of Observer. Some critics mentioned that the game had textural downgrades and lower resolution on the Switch compared to other platforms (FNintendo). The Switch version also suffered from washed out and blurry visuals, as well as glitchy/static effects that were described as awful (Nintendo Enthusiast). The dream sequences in the game were criticized for excessive flashing lights and seizure-inducing visuals (NintendoWorldReport). Despite these criticisms, the majority of the critics still found the graphics and visual design of Observer to be visually pleasing and effective in portraying the cyberpunk and horror elements. Overall, the critics' opinions indicate that Observer has a strong and well-received graphics and visual design. The game's dingy and fascinating cyberpunk aesthetic, retro-futurist design, and immersive atmosphere were praised by multiple critics (COGconnected, Cubed3, DarkStation, GameSpace, Gameblog.fr, Metro GameCentral, The Indie Game Website, TheXboxHub, CGMagazine, Game Debate, GameCritics, GameSpew, GamingTrend, Slant Magazine, The Overpowered Noobs, Wccftech, Game Rant, God is a Geek, Hardcore Gamer, PlayStation Universe, Video Chums, ZTGD). While there were some criticisms regarding textural downgrades on the Switch and certain visual effects, the overall consensus is that the graphics and visual design of Observer are very good. The detailed and realistic graphics, along with the exceptional art direction, effectively bring to life a dystopian cyberpunk world that is visually striking and immersive.

The opinions of the critics regarding the sound design and music of Observer are largely positive. Multiple critics praise the game for its excellent sound design, which builds tension and contributes to the immersive experience. The use of immersive sound design and HD Rumble on the Switch is also highlighted as a positive aspect. Critics such as COGconnected, Game Informer, and TheXboxHub specifically mention the great sound design and voice work, with Game Informer even stating that it contributes to the horror atmosphere and immersion. The voice acting, particularly Rutger Hauer's performance as the protagonist, is consistently praised as fantastic, authentic, and phenomenal. The soundtrack is also mentioned as appropriate and of very good quality. These positive opinions indicate that the sound design and music of Observer effectively enhance the horror atmosphere and create an intense and immersive experience. However, there are some negative opinions regarding the sound design and music of Observer. DarkStation criticizes the loud and annoying vibration of the Joy Cons during major events, while also mentioning that some lines of dialogue sound tired or bored. GamingTrend mentions moments of uneven delivery in the voice acting, and Hardcore Gamer states that the voice acting fluctuates in quality, with some moments being abysmal. These negative opinions suggest that there are some inconsistencies and flaws in the sound design and voice acting of Observer. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the sound design and music of Observer are strong and contribute positively to the overall experience. The intelligent script, immersive sound design, and atmospheric effects are mentioned as key factors in creating an unsettling and intense atmosphere. The voices, screams, and environment are praised for contributing to a sense of despair and horror. The soundtrack is deemed appropriate and of good quality. While there are some criticisms regarding specific elements such as the vibration of the Joy Cons and moments of uneven delivery in the voice acting, the overall sentiment is that the sound design and music of Observer successfully enhance the horror atmosphere and immerse players in the game's harrowing experiences.

The voice acting in Observer has received mixed reviews from critics. Several reviewers, such as FNintendo and Wccftech, praised Rutger Hauer's performance as the protagonist, with FNintendo even comparing it to his iconic role in Blade Runner. They found his voice work to be fantastic and amazing, adding personality, gravitas, and depth to the character. The Indie Game Website also commended Hauer for bringing a burned-out detective to life with his authentic and believable portrayal. These positive reviews highlight the strengths of Hauer's performance and how it enhances the overall experience of the game. However, there were also critics who expressed some negative opinions about the voice acting in Observer. Cubed3 criticized Hauer's line readings, stating that he sounded like he was sleeping through them. Metro GameCentral and Slant Magazine also had issues with Hauer's delivery, with Metro GameCentral describing it as frequently poor and negatively affecting emotional moments, while Slant Magazine found it unemotional and difficult to care about. Additionally, Game Informer mentioned that although the voice acting was performed by an accomplished actor, there were some poorly delivered lines that could be distracting. These negative reviews point out some weaknesses in Hauer's performance and suggest that it may not have resonated with all players. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the voice acting in Observer leans more towards the positive side. Many reviewers, such as TheXboxHub and GamingTrend, praised Hauer's performance and considered it brilliant, authentic, and believable. They appreciated the personality, tenderness, and robotic authority he brought to the character. While there were some negative opinions about Hauer's delivery and certain poorly delivered lines, the overall sentiment seems to be that his voice acting added to the thematic appropriateness of the game and enhanced the experience for most players. Ultimately, the mixed reviews suggest that the voice acting in Observer may be subjective and dependent on personal preferences.

In terms of the Technical Performance on the SWITCH platform, there are some positive aspects mentioned by the critics. Cubed3 states that the game runs well, while GameSpace mentions that it keeps players on a straight and narrow path to minimize wandering. NintendoWorldReport also describes the game as running well on the Switch. These positive opinions suggest that the game generally performs smoothly on the SWITCH platform, providing a satisfying gaming experience. However, there are also negative aspects mentioned by the critics regarding the Technical Performance on the SWITCH platform. FNintendo points out that the visuals are not as good on a TV screen. Gameblog.fr mentions technical limitations, including downgraded textures and frame-rate issues. Metro GameCentral highlights distracting technical issues such as low resolution and frame rate problems. The Indie Game Website adds that the framerate is iffy, especially when playing on a TV, and the Switch port looks muddy and low-res compared to other versions. These negative opinions indicate that there are significant technical shortcomings on the SWITCH platform, affecting the overall experience for some players. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding the Technical Performance on the SWITCH platform is mixed. While some critics, such as Cubed3 and GameSpace, find the game to run well, others, like FNintendo and Metro GameCentral, highlight various technical issues. The presence of annoyances with doors not opening until the environment is fully loaded, lack of character models to interact with, downgraded textures, low resolution, and frame rate problems indicate that the Technical Performance on the SWITCH platform is not consistently satisfactory. Moving on to the XBOXONE platform, TheXboxHub mentions some framerate issues and occasional slowdown. While this is not a glowing endorsement, it does not seem to significantly impact the overall gaming experience. Therefore, the Technical Performance on the XBOXONE platform appears to be relatively stable, with only minor issues affecting the gameplay. On the PC platform, GamingTrend mentions occasional freezes and odd pausing, but these issues are expected to be patched shortly after launch. Wccftech, on the other hand, praises the PC version, stating that it runs great at max settings on a high-end machine. These opinions suggest that the Technical Performance on the PC platform is generally positive, with minor issues that are likely to be resolved through updates. Turning to the PS4 platform, there are both positive and negative opinions regarding the Technical Performance. PlayStation Universe mentions occasional stutters in movement and framerate, but they are not too distracting. God is a Geek states that lagging issues can be overlooked. However, Hardcore Gamer points out that the framerate drops at times, causing fail states and game reloads. Video Chums reports serious performance issues, including frequent frame rate drops, punishing load times, and a hard crash experienced. ZTGD also highlights constant stuttering and performance issues on the PS4 version. These negative opinions indicate that the Technical Performance on the PS4 platform is problematic, with significant performance issues that can impact the gameplay experience. In conclusion, the overall consensus among the critics regarding the Technical Performance of Observer on different gaming platforms is mixed. While there are positive aspects mentioned for each platform, such as smooth performance on the SWITCH platform and great performance on the PC platform, there are also significant negative aspects, including technical limitations, downgraded textures, low resolution, frame rate problems, and performance issues on the SWITCH and PS4 platforms. These negative opinions suggest that the Technical Performance of Observer can be inconsistent and problematic, particularly on the SWITCH and PS4 platforms.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Observer are generally positive. FNintendo, GameSpew, and CGMagazine all mention that the game has multiple endings, which adds to its replayability. FNintendo specifically recommends playing the game multiple times due to its multiple endings. GameSpew also highlights the optional side content that encourages players to replay the game. Additionally, TheXboxHub mentions that exploring all areas and conversations can extend the gameplay time, and there is even a hidden retro game to discover. These factors contribute to the positive replay value of Observer. However, there are a couple of negative aspects mentioned by the critics. Wccftech points out that the gameplay can become slightly repetitive over time. This repetition may decrease the desire to replay the game for some players. Additionally, GameSpace mentions that the choices in the game do not appear to change the outcome, although they do provide more story fodder. This lack of impactful choices may diminish the motivation for some players to replay the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Observer offers a good replay value. The multiple endings, optional side content, and hidden retro game are all mentioned as positive aspects that encourage replayability. FNintendo, GameSpew, and CGMagazine specifically highlight the multiple endings as a strong factor in replay value. TheXboxHub also emphasizes the extended gameplay time that can be achieved through exploration. While Wccftech mentions the slight repetitiveness of the gameplay, it does not seem to significantly impact the overall positive reception of the game's replay value.