Beholder

I was pleasantly surprised and impressed by this game. Despite flaws, I would say it's certainly worth a download.

75%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, stability

82% User Score Based on 5,348 reviews

Critic Score 66%Based on 12 reviews

Platforms

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About

Beholder is a single player role playing game with a drama theme. It was developed by Alawar Stargaze (Warm Lamp Games) and was released on November 9, 2016. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Beholder is a single-player adventure game with a dark, dystopian setting. As the State-installed manager of an apartment building, you must covertly watch and profile your tenants, reporting any suspicious activity to the authorities. With ingenious graphics, a splendid soundtrack, and a sensational gameplay, Beholder offers a grim glimpse into a society where privacy is non-existent, and the totalitarian State is all-powerful.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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82%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,348 reviews

story482 positive mentions

grinding84 negative mentions

Engaging and thought-provoking storyline with multiple endings based on player choices.
Unique art style and atmospheric sound design that enhance the dystopian setting.
Challenging gameplay that requires strategic thinking and resource management.

Repetitive tasks and limited gameplay mechanics can lead to boredom over time.
Unforgiving time constraints and high stakes can make the game feel frustrating.
Poor English localization and dialogue can detract from the overall experience.

story
1,866 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
71%
3%
The story of "Beholder" is a compelling exploration of moral dilemmas set in a dystopian society, where players navigate the challenges of managing an apartment complex while making difficult choices that impact their family and tenants. The narrative is rich with well-developed characters and multiple endings, but some players find the gameplay repetitive and the quest structure overly linear, leading to frustration with time constraints and the need for trial-and-error to achieve desired outcomes. Overall, while the story is engaging and thought-provoking, the execution can feel constrained by its mechanics and lack of variability in playthroughs.
- “Beholder excels in storytelling.”
- “The narrative is rich, with well-developed characters and a plot that keeps you on edge.”
- “Beholder is a standout title that offers a unique blend of strategy, storytelling, and moral exploration.”
- “The story and the ending I got just felt so unsatisfying and straight up boring that I have zero interest to try it again to see if I can get another ending.”
- “The story was too shallow and chaotic to grab my attention, the gameplay became a monotonous chore with no meaningful rewards, challenges or moral dilemmas.”
- “The storyline is too short and linear for playing it many times: ok, it is different every time depending on what you do, but when you have always the same tenants, the same missions... low replayability, so buy it only with sales.”
gameplay
898 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
65%
7%
The gameplay of "Beholder" is characterized by its unique blend of strategic decision-making and resource management, set against a dystopian backdrop. While the mechanics of spying on tenants and managing family needs create a tense atmosphere, many players find the gameplay repetitive and frustrating due to poorly explained mechanics and a lack of meaningful rewards. Overall, the game offers an engaging narrative experience, but its execution can lead to a tedious gameplay loop that may not appeal to everyone.
- “The gameplay cycle itself is, though challenging at times, quite simple and can get repetitive in the six-hour playtime, but if you're allowing yourself to be invested in the characters and story then you will experience harsh dilemmas and very stressful times.”
- “Balancing your duties to the state with your desire to help (or exploit) your tenants creates a dynamic and often stressful gameplay experience.”
- “Its blend of stealth gameplay, narrative depth, and atmospheric tension make it a standout title in its genre.”
- “Unnecessary mechanics like additional clicks on the illegal item in someone's closet, or manually filling tenants' details while quest timers are ticking is just frustrating.”
- “Gameplay-wise, way too many choices end in an instant game over without any warning, as if the game wasn't difficult enough.”
- “The gameplay loop becomes kind of repetitive towards the end though.”
graphics
514 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
45%
2%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and atmospheric art style, which effectively complements the bleak, dystopian setting and enhances the overall narrative experience. Many players appreciate the simplistic yet expressive visuals, noting that they contribute significantly to the game's emotional impact, despite some criticisms regarding the graphics' age and occasional lack of detail. Overall, the art style is considered a standout feature, drawing players into its dark and engaging world.
- “The art style is beautiful for the opening cut scene and the animation and design for the world is unique and beautiful.”
- “The highly stylized but nonetheless threatening and gloomy art style matches the story and its themes excellently.”
- “The art style is unique and fitting for the environment.”
- “Bad graphics, bad controls, horrible audio.”
- “The graphics aren't exactly anything to write home about, and for such a simple game with one screen, the visuals haven't aged very well; nor has the repetitive audio that consists of three or four brief tracks, with one main 'rainy noir' style song that loops for most of a playthrough's duration.”
- “The graphics put me off, despite not being a big graphics whore.”
atmosphere
250 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
34%
1%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently described as dark, oppressive, and immersive, effectively capturing a bleak, dystopian world under constant surveillance. The art style and sound design complement the narrative, creating a palpable sense of tension and moral dilemmas that enhance the gameplay experience. While many players appreciate the rich atmosphere and its ability to evoke feelings of fear and mistrust, some note that the seriousness of the tone can be overwhelming, potentially detracting from enjoyment.
- “The grim, dystopian setting is perfectly crafted, with an art style that complements the oppressive atmosphere.”
- “The game's atmosphere is so bleak and oppressive, it's like a warm hug on a cold winter day.”
- “A highly addictive game, the graphics and sound are beautifully foreboding and ominous, the atmosphere around this dystopian society is grim, and the wrong choice could mean the difference between life or death.”
- “But this game and its atmosphere puts so much pressure on you, it forces you to commit terrible moral acts regardless of what goal you are pursuing - to save your family or become a loyal servant of the regime, and woe to the one whom I notice committing a thoughtcrime.”
- “The whole atmosphere in the game is quite dark and suffocating, so I don't recommend you to play this if you are stressed or feel pressured recently, but it shows how hard it is when living under dictatorship very well.”
- “This basic meaninglessness to your interactions undermines any attempt to build up atmosphere, and completely eliminates any emotional investment.”
music
246 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
53%
6%
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality, effectively enhancing the bleak and tense environment that reflects the game's themes of surveillance and totalitarianism. While many players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to evoke emotion and fit the visual style, some criticize its repetitiveness, noting that it can become monotonous over time. Overall, the music is considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing significantly to the immersive experience.
- “The soundtrack further enhances the experience, adding layers of tension and melancholy to your every move.”
- “The music adds depth to this fact and at times can even really make you feel the weight of a brutal choice you've had to make.”
- “The soundtrack fits the game well and really adds to the atmosphere, helping to draw you into the world.”
- “Same boring music over and over.”
- “The graphics aren't exactly anything to write home about, and for such a simple game with one screen, the visuals haven't aged very well; nor has the repetitive audio that consists of three or four brief tracks, with one main 'rainy noir' style song that loops for most of a playthrough's duration.”
- “The [b] gameplay is fun [/b], it is dark and sometimes you feel uncomfortable, i personally like the visuals, the [b] music is weak [/b] and on repeat, there could be a bit more than one minute loop that makes your brain go nuts after 20 minutes of playing.”
replayability
246 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
54%
13%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its multiple endings and branching paths that encourage exploration of different strategies and moral choices. However, some reviewers note that the heavily scripted nature of the game limits its replay value, leading to a repetitive experience after the initial playthrough. Overall, while there is significant potential for replayability through varied decision-making, the linearity and predictability of certain elements may deter some players from returning.
- “The multiple endings and branching paths provide significant replay value, encouraging you to explore different strategies and moral choices.”
- “Diverse endings and decision points give the game great replay value; if you're anything like me you'll want to see all the possible endings and you'll wind up playing for hours - in the process becoming a master beholder.”
- “This game has a ton of replay value and the story is so interesting you're going to enjoy playing it again.”
- “Replayability is severely limited as the whole game is heavily pre-scripted.”
- “The storyline is too short and linear for playing it many times: it is different every time depending on what you do, but when you have always the same tenants and the same missions... low replayability, so buy it only with sales.”
- “But my choice for a negative review comes down to the lack of replayability.”
grinding
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
6%
91%
The reviews indicate that the game features significant grinding elements, often described as tedious and repetitive, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. While some players appreciate the challenging mechanics and stakes, many find the grinding necessary for progression to be overly burdensome and frustrating, leading to a sense of boredom and dissatisfaction. Overall, the grinding aspect is a divisive point, with some players tolerating it for the narrative while others feel it hampers the game's potential.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “A bit grindy.”
- “The pacing of the game with the tedious task of looting everyone's room to just keep up with all the expenses that you have no control over is just not fun at all.”
- “I get it, but in the end this game is about a lot of hard and often quite grinding work, sometimes waiting around for ages for a perfect moment that never comes, and the reward is just dark and depressing.”
- “While harsh penalties should theoretically be expected in such an environment as the one the game takes place in, in practice it makes playing the game incredibly tedious, as an action can have unforeseen consequences which will force you to restart the game.”
emotional
86 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
95%
5%
The game is described as an emotional rollercoaster, blending heart-wrenching moments with dark themes and morally complex decisions that deeply engage players. Many reviewers noted that the narrative evokes strong feelings of sadness, anger, and empathy, often leading to tears, while also incorporating unexpected humor to create a multifaceted emotional experience. However, some critiques highlight that the emotional impact can diminish after multiple playthroughs, and not all players find the emotional depth as compelling as intended.
- “What starts as a straightforward job quickly evolves into a morally complex and emotionally taxing journey.”
- “Full disclosure: I cried a bit on 'Blissful Sleep' (after completing the main game); the characters will stick with me for a long while.”
- “This game is an emotional rollercoaster, and has replay value due to every choice having its repercussions, often to the extreme.”
- “Actions and consequences are related only in hindsight, which makes for a boring story.”
- “...and a basic generic boring story = should be 5 bucks max, not 10!”
humor
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
The game is praised for its clever use of dark humor, effectively balancing grim themes with genuinely funny dialogue and absurd situations. Players appreciate the satirical portrayal of a totalitarian regime, finding humor in unexpected moments and character interactions, despite the underlying sadness of the narrative. While some humor may stem from cultural nuances and translation quirks, it contributes to a unique and entertaining experience that resonates with many players.
- “The game in general is sad and desperate, but there is some genuinely hilarious dialogue in there when you least expect it that creates a more dimensioned emotional experience.”
- “It manages to be charming and funny while still depicting a depressing environment, and that's a really hard tightrope to walk.”
- “Beholder is ultimately a satire, and quite a funny one, for something that deals with murder and torture as major themes.”
- “But sometimes I notice obeying the law is not funny.”
stability
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
93%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous players reporting frequent glitches, crashes, and freezing issues that hinder progress and overall enjoyment. While some users experienced a smooth gameplay session, many others faced frustrating bugs, particularly related to objectives and interface navigation. Overall, the game appears unpolished and in need of further refinement to enhance stability.
- “Runs great on Linux.”
- “It freezes randomly and I've had it crash, and I had to repeat a ridiculous amount of stuff because the auto-save is so bad.”
- “Buggy, could not finish the first mission after 42 minutes and tons of tries; the NPC you need does not spawn and you lose every time.”
- “At the moment it is severely let down by a very buggy interface.”
character development
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it mediocre while others praise it as superb, particularly appreciating how character designs reflect their personalities. The unique art style, reminiscent of Tim Burton, enhances the overall experience, contributing to a believable and immersive world. Overall, while opinions vary, the character designs are consistently highlighted as a strong point.
- “Everything feels 3D and believable, and each character design complements their personalities greatly.”
- “Really love the Tim Burton art style, and the character development is superb.”
- “Character development is mediocre, too.”
- “I'd love to give this game a score but I simply can't yet because I have yet to finish it, but I do recommend it just for its unique character design and its depressing but still artistic world.”
- “The graphics and character designs were unique, as well as the music.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players noting that it is not demanding on hardware but experiencing minor stuttering issues. However, significant optimization problems persist in the official version, leading to frustration, particularly regarding performance requirements tied to core gameplay elements.
- “However, it had severe optimization problems that haven't been solved in the official version.”
- “It's terrible, it's utterly terrible that such a fundamental concept of saving your whole family is locked behind a min-max completionist performance requirement.”
- “However, it had severe optimization problems and that hasn't been solved in the official version.”
- “I experienced some minor stuttering here and there, indicating a lack of optimization.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users express strong frustration with the monetization strategy, particularly criticizing intrusive ads that disrupt gameplay and create a negative experience. This aspect has led some players to consider abandoning the game altogether.
- “The monetization strategy is so aggressive that it feels like the game is more focused on making money than providing a good experience.”
- “I can't believe how many ads there are; it completely ruins the immersion and enjoyment of the game.”
- “The constant push for in-game purchases is overwhelming and takes away from the fun of playing.”