Observer is a first-person psychological horror game that immerses the player in an Orwellian society. The game was developed by Bloober and published by Aspyr in 2021.

You can play the game on Linux, Mac, and Windows operating systems, and it’s available on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S platforms. If you liked the initial Observer game released in 2017, you’re sure to love its expanded and upgraded version – Observer: System Redux. 

A World of Vices and Psychopathic Murderers

You are Daniel Lazarski, an elite neural detective known as an Observer and part of a corporate-funded police unit whose purpose is to hack and invade suspects’ minds. As you hack into the minds of criminals and their victims, you are forced to relive their darkest fears, cruelties, and secrets. While this may sound like your typical sci-fi fare, there’s nothing ordinary about this game. 

The world is dark and oppressive. The immersion in this world is astounding – police patrols roam the streets with heavy firearms; citizens are monitored closely by security cameras; apartments feature tiny living spaces with tiny TVs that show government propaganda channels.

The game’s focus on hacking provides one way for players to subvert the system by altering memories or modifying the thoughts of people scanned; players can change the outcome of certain scenarios. Though not without its flaws. 

Police Patrol with Heavy Firearms 

One of the game’s features that stands out is the police patrol. The police patrol can be found in many different areas, and they are heavily armed. The police carry heavy firearms, and no one in this society is safe from them, not even the elite Observer–Daniel Lazarski. They will apprehend a civilian for a petty crime or a traffic violation, and they will shoot anyone who approaches if they believe they are suspicious. The police patrols make it clear that this society has gone off the rails, and there is no one to turn to when it seems like your rights have been violated.

Apartments have tiny living spaces, and the TVs show government propaganda channels. You live in a tightly-walled apartment that constantly broadcasts pro-government messages from the Orwellian Party, urging you to keep your nose out of trouble. Outside, robotic police patrols roam the streets, and security cameras continuously monitor citizens-anything other than what’s approved and agreed upon by the party is strictly prohibited and heavily punished.

Intriguing Storyline with Many Twists

You’ve been sent to a research facility on the outskirts of Krakow, Poland, to investigate an experiment that has gone wrong. A group of scientists experimented with combining human test subjects with technology to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems. The project was shelved after it led to disastrous consequences for the team. 

But someone got their hands on it, and now some victims need your help. You are their last hope. You’ll need to solve puzzles by analyzing blood traces, scanning for surveillance cams, and reading personal journal entries to find out what happened. As you examine these clues, you’ll get closer and closer to the truth. You also need to find your son’s murderer to give him the final justice. 

A Whole New Level of Horror

When I first started playing Observer, I found myself in a dark maze-like environment. After a few minutes of wandering my way around the maze, I heard a voice coming from a nearby room. The voice was talking about how government surveillance is both good and evil. The voice then told me that I might have to take one life if it meant saving hundreds more–though this didn’t happen at this particular level, it provided insight into the game’s narrative.

The game’s focus on hacking provides one way for players to subvert the system–by altering memories or modifying the thoughts of people who have been scanned, players can change the outcome of certain scenarios. Observer is an engaging thriller with something to say about society today, though not without its flaws.

A Gameplay Anyone will Love

As an Observer, you are part of a corporate-funded police unit whose purpose is to hack and invade suspects’ minds. You will relive their darkest fears, cruelties, and secrets as you hack into the minds of criminals and their victims.

The game’s focus on hacking provides one way for players to subvert the system–by altering memories or modifying the thoughts of people who have been scanned, players can change the outcome of certain scenarios. 

Players are thrown into a grim Orwellian future where your job is to invade people’s minds and steal their secrets. The game offers players an experience that is both dark and depressing while also thrilling and fast-paced.

Amazing Tools that Helps with the Investigations 

Daniel is endowed with cybernetic abilities, which give him an edge. He also has different tools that players will find helpful in their investigations and research. For instance, the EM Vision offers players the ability to analyze any electronic device. The Night Vision enhances sight in the dark, making it easier for gamers to navigate the creepy basement. On the other hand, the Bio Vision is useful for identifying and analyzing biological materials in various locations. 

All three tools are necessary for advancement. You can use them to track down murderers around the building. You will find different clues at different locations, but you can only analyze them using your extra tools. Apart from using the tools to study clues, you can also use a microchip to track killers by plugging the chip into dead people’s heads. You can then explore their memories until you find the desired clues. 

Top-Notch Graphics and Visuals 

The visuals are stunning, with realistic graphics and crisp textures. It has a professional production value and entertainment factor. What’s more, Observer is heavily inspired by Polish sci-fi cinema from the 70s and 80s. System Redux, Observer’s free update, does not include any new content but consists primarily of gameplay tweaks and graphical improvements. 

The core experience will stay the same for the latest release, but you can expect to see some minor changes that improve overall performance. However, if you love Observer, then System Redux will be worth it because it fixes some bugs and improves performance on weaker PCs. If you’re interested in checking out an eerie sci-fi horror game with a great atmosphere, Observer is for you!

Conclusion

Observer is a game that will have you on the edge of your seat. I prefer playing the game in a dark room with my headphones plugged. The horror game consists of the perfect levels of jump scares and an eerie atmosphere. The game has you exploring dark corridors with flickering lights and creepy music playing at all times. The puzzles are challenging but not impossible to solve. Observer: System Redux is a compelling, thought-provoking experience worth checking out.