Reviews

• gamedeal user

  Nov 3, 2021

  Pretty good movie. Wait.. This is a video game? I jest, but I'm kind-of serious at the same time. The "puzzles" are so basic and easy that they might as well have not even been put in this "video game". Controls and cameras are clunky/awkward, but it does give a real feeling of what I imagine controlling cameras and flying spheres would be like. Anyways, is this a good video game? No. Do the story, voice acting, setting, atmosphere, and moving around in the world make for a great immersive experience? Absolutely yes. If you want to "play" a film, then this "game" is certainly for you. I had a great time with it, but just don't expect a video game - think more like an slightly interactive movie.
• gamedeal user

  Nov 24, 2021

  Observation is a atmospheric supernatural first person space thriller that’s part gravity, part Cloverfield, and part 2001: A Space Odyssey. While it plays like an adventure game where you have to scan every surface for objects you can manipulate (this isn’t a shooter or action game) the game itself can be rushed if you don’t search for audio logs and secret items, but doing so limits the amount of back story you know and leaves the goals and motivations of the crew unexplained. If you are looking for something to play for a few hours then I highly recommend picking this up, especially if you can find it on sale or discount. [b]Story[/b] You play as SAM, the on-board AI on the multinational space station Observation. You are restored to power after a catastrophic failure that has left the station badly damaged, your systems and memory banks offline, and the remaining crew scattered and unaccounted for. Emma, the astronaut who restores your minimum core functions has you help her restore remaining systems, as both of you work together to figure out what has happened, and what needs to be done to survive. The game story has plenty of twists and turns and I thought was really well constructed, and as some things are revealed it becomes apparent the mission wasn’t as benign as first assumed. [b]Gameplay[/b] Being the on-board computer, you are limited to controlling the cameras and zooming in on objects and reconnecting them to your systems, where they can then be accessed. Each camera has a limited field of view, and some puzzles need you to switch between multiple cameras to find the required ship systems to connect to. Parts of the game have you piloting a sphere with remote functionality, which allows you greater freedoms to explore. The puzzles and mini games aren’t too difficult, though the game doesn’t remember answers for you, some codes and coordinates need to be written down which was slightly frustrating (you’re a computer that can’t remember basic information). If you don’t like jump scares there’s a few points where something might surprise you, but they are mild compared to other games and it’s never out the blue (the game is good at building up the tension to those points). Some of the games helpful hints aren’t advised (like how to add a way-point), which would have saved considerable time in trying to get to where I wanted, without having to load the map screen all the time to try and traverse the station. The game does lock you out of areas as you progress past certain parts, so it’s quite easy to miss the few collectables and other objects you can collect. There’s no new game+ mode, so if you are aiming for some achievements it means another play through. [b]Graphics[/b] The games UI is designed quite well, lots of the systems you have to interact with are in a off-screen menu which slowly expands (like a computer menu). This reduces a lot of the onscreen clutter, it also fits right in with the player being a computer. Some of the screens hold information that starts making a lot more sense as the game progresses. Visually the game look pretty good, the space stations interior is consistent, though it does change as the game progresses. I thought the puzzles/mini games were well designed and aren’t too abstract, and I liked the illusion of choice that you sometimes get. For some reason the game kept shunting the graphics setting back from 4K to 1080p every time I loaded it, but other than that I didn’t run into any graphical issues. [b]Music[/b] The music is quite ominous, and the lack of dramatic music in large parts of the game really sets you on edge when it starts playing. I found the voice acting to be really well done (especially for SAM and Emma), though the rest of the crew is only voiced via the scattered audio logs and damaged memory banks you find. [b]Achievements[/b] If you are chasing 100% achievements then you want to play with a guide as there are missable audio logs and objects to find that require an additional playthrough, but other than that it’s fairly easy to do For more reviews please visit https://store.steampowered.com/curator/31327216/
• gamedeal user

  Jun 23, 2022

  10/10 atmosphere, 3/10 controls
• gamedeal user

  Sep 25, 2022

  This game was exactly what I expected and I really enjoyed it for that. It seems many of the negative reviews were simply expecting something the game isn't. So with that said: this is basically a walking simulator. There are *some* puzzle and action elements, but nothing particularly challenging. Mostly some following some very simple instructions on a computer screen and navigating yourself around a sometimes confusing space station in zero G (which I personally enjoyed). This game is about the atmosphere, tension, and watching a sci-fi thriller unfold whilst being an active part in its unfolding. It's gorgeous graphics and environments, great believable voice acting throughout, and a solid sci-fi story. Comparisons to 2001 are not without merit, so if you're a sci-fi fan already you're not necessarily going to be surprised by this one, but it puts enough of its own spin on things to justify its existence. I personally didn't find the controls clunky as some other reviews say, and I didn't notice a single bug or issue in my playthrough but obviously YMMV. The story does end a bit flatly as what feels like a set up for something new, but according to their website No Code has no plans for Observation 2 which is a bit of a shame because I would definitely pick it up. An easy recommend from me for fans of sci-fi and thriller themes who appreciate an immersive world and story, but DO NOT play this for action or puzzle elements because, whilst those elements are here to some degree, they are absolutely not the purpose of the game which is instead the story and the storytelling.
• gamedeal user

  Dec 30, 2022

  What can I say but wow! Super believable and awesome story-line on a slow burn, stitched together with events and atmosphere that really bring you on board a space station gone awry. The unnerving "something isn't right" feeling never seems to go away and is a testament to the developer's talents. To people giving negative reviews for "clunky and slow controls", did you ever stop to think subjectively why? You are not a space marine on uppers and fireball whiskey that can jump 4 stories high and back-flip into a demon's as***le while 360 no-scoping all of their slimy friends from 200 meters. YOUR'E A SECURITY CAMERA. ON A MULTI-NATIONAL, GOVERNMENT/CORPORATE OWNED "LOWEST BIDDER" SPACE STATION. What do you think those amazon prime security cameras are going to move like. Probably slow and clunky. I don't care how expensive or large scale the station was to build or how important the mission was, bureaucracy doesn't change and that's that. It actually helps keep the game believable (it's not even some super futuristic sci-fi spaceship, it feels like something they could build now). Fantastic game, A+, reinforced my belief that mankind doesn't belong in space (or unrelated, the deep ocean.)
• gamedeal user

  Jun 12, 2023

  Great concept, great visual, but damn, the fact it doesn't save often and you have to redo ages of your progress again and again really drags. to the point i gave up going back to it, sadly. Either auto-save regularly or allow good-old manual saves (a sadly dying breed).
• gamedeal user

  May 22, 2020

  [h1]6/6[/h1] I've played this game a year ago on a friend's console (hence the ~0 hrs played at the time of posting this review) and I'm super happy to be finally able to support the devs by buying it on my platform of choice! As a sucker for sci-fi and psychological horror/thriller Observation blew me away, it's a little gem that ticks every box in my books and I can't recommend it enough if you like the genre. The people at No Code studios have absolutely nailed the art direction: insane atmosphere (and no, I'm not making that pun), sound design, environmental graphics, detail and lighting, a claustrophobic level design that's simply perfect for the setting, great voice acting and dialogue that never feels like over-the-top Hollywood style stuff, and generally a great take on the artificial life theme with subtleties and mysteries, lots of questions and the right amount of answers. All especially more impressive since we’re talking about an independent studio. I’m still going to address a few issues some might have with this game, things that never ruined the experience for me but that you might want to know about if you’re considering purchase. Without spoiling too much, we play as a malfunctioning AI and are required to gather information by navigating the station (cycling cameras or piloting a drone) and more importantly make sense of its systems, figuring out UIs to perform various tasks and help the crew. While I wouldn't go so far as to call Observation a walking simulator, it might stretch the concept of gameplay for some people. In some ways it could feel like you're more of a spectator than a player, interacting with the characters to help them progress a story that is presented in a mostly linear fashion. This approach is evidently intentional and coherent with narration and characters: personally, I consider it nothing short of brilliant, and it’s hard to explain just how brilliant without spoiling the story. However, as deliberate as it may be, I’m also aware that it could be too off-putting for some people (I’m not judging though). You can expect to complete it in about 4 hours if you never get stuck and rush through it. I do feel that the length is perfect for this kind of story and how it’s structured (think of a miniseries), making it longer might have meant ruining the pacing. It's quality over quantity, and it would just be unfair to assess it in terms of price/time ratio. Lastly, face models/animations are not on as high a level as everything else in the graphics department, and they wouldn’t stand out as much if it weren’t for the incredible level of detail that makes environments border photorealism at times. Again, this contrast was not really immersion breaking for me and I feel like I’m just nit-picking by now. In conclusion, I don’t think calling it a “narrative driven videogame” would really do it justice because of the clever and innovative way its gameplay elements are implemented and the overall quality level and effort put into it compared to others, but this label might ultimately be a decent enough way to judge whether you could enjoy it or not. For me, it’s one of the best of its kind. If you can’t stand the entire category then it might not be for you, and yet I wouldn’t bring myself to tell you to stay away from it and not even give it a chance.
• gamedeal user

  May 22, 2020

  The gameplay is Kings Quest or Myst-like, interspersed with minigames, with the addition of multiple camera angles. I hope this information helps someone, cause I couldn't tell from the storefront, maybe I'm not attuned to the relevant keywords. Warning for Developers and Engineers: bring a fifth (750ml outside the USA) of suspension of disbelief. You will need it.
• gamedeal user

  May 22, 2020

  What an experience. Imagine the best parts of Alien and 2001 Space Odyssey, thematic, futuristic yet 80's low-fi technology aesthetics and combine them in the best possible way. Be HAL 9000 and enjoy the ride. This game will make you think and have some ethical decisions to make. Presentation can't be better. Graphic design on this game is the best I ever remember seeing, UI design elements are original incredibly inspired and well executed, from the overall menus, to maps, interaction prompts or mini games. Graphics are remarkably good and art direction is excellent. Max them as much as you can and leave every chromatic aberration, blur, noise and post setting you'd normally deactivate because on this game they are well thought and add to the presentation. Music, voice acting and that opening credits are really good too.
• gamedeal user

  May 22, 2020

  Just beat this game is one sitting. If you guys/gals like suspenseful story telling, this game is for you. I've ran into a few bugs in the game that halted my progress. The fix is to quit out of the game and go back in. I had to do this at least three times. The game play was excellent and the story wanted to grip me in more. I recommend this if you like Alien:Isolation, but just without any monsters or aliens. If you ever seen the movie Gravity, it's like that but with a twist. I recommend getting this on sale and not full price. 9/10