Beholder: Conductor

About

Beholder: Conductor is a single player simulation game. It was developed by Alawar and was released on April 23, 2025. It received positive reviews from players.

Welcome aboard the Determination Bringer! You have been appointed senior conductor of the legendary train, which all the citizens of our vast country are happy to see in their cities. Your responsibilities are maintaining order in the carriage assigned to you and providing assistance to passengers along the way. Your tools are reporting, intimidation, searches and ejection. Remember: the conduct…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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87%

Audience ScoreBased on 500 reviews

story61 positive mentions

grinding6 negative mentions

Engaging story with moral dilemmas that make choices feel impactful.
Beautiful pixel art and immersive atmosphere that captures the essence of the Beholder series.
Interesting new mechanics, such as managing passengers and searching their belongings, add depth to the gameplay.

Short gameplay length, with many players finishing the game in just a few hours.
Lack of replay value due to linear story progression and limited character interactions.
Frustrating design choices, such as reliance on auto-saves and potential soft locks that can hinder progress.

story
212 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
69%
2%
The game's story is engaging and features memorable characters, with choices that significantly impact the narrative and outcomes. However, many players noted that side quests often feel inconsequential, leading to a sense of filler content, and the pacing can be uneven, with periods of inactivity while waiting for story progression. Overall, while the story has strong elements and intriguing moral dilemmas, it suffers from linearity and a lack of depth compared to earlier entries in the series.
- “The story is engaging, the characters are memorable, and the choices actually hurt in the best way possible.”
- “The story is interesting, and some of the plot twists are really surprising.”
- “I enjoyed the story, character development, and the little details contributing to unexpected twists and turns.”
- “None of the side missions you complete have any real bearing on the overall story, and they all boil down to fetch quests.”
- “The story felt quite bland and by the time you get to first class, it feels as though the decisions and consequences that make the previous games so interesting just weren't there.”
- “The pacing of the story feels slow at the start and rushed at the end, whilst I still felt rushed to complete tasks at the start and bored with not enough to do at the end.”
gameplay
116 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
64%
5%
The gameplay in "Beholder: Conductor" is a mix of engaging mechanics and moral dilemmas, reminiscent of previous titles in the series, but it suffers from repetitiveness and linearity, leading to a somewhat shallow experience. While the core mechanics are solid and the atmosphere is compelling, many players found the gameplay loop to become monotonous, especially towards the end, and criticized the game for its short length and lack of depth compared to earlier installments. Overall, it offers a relaxing yet tense experience, appealing to fans of dystopian narratives, but may not satisfy those seeking more varied gameplay.
- “The gameplay is about monitoring your part of the train as conductor.”
- “Very characterful, strong narrative; gameplay can be quite punishing on the standard difficulty, but I found it compelling and had to figure out how to progress from whatever rut I'd got myself into.”
- “The gameplay loop focuses on observation, deduction, and consequence.”
- “The gameplay is simple to learn but sometimes the choices you make are hard and have an impact on yourself.”
- “The inevitable outcome of this gameplay loop, then, is that the majority of the player's time is spent either waiting for a passenger to leave their cabin so their possessions can be rifled through, or filling out forms.”
- “In the second half of the game, the gameplay becomes almost entirely about fast-forwarding time, which kills any sense of tension and makes the experience feel monotonous.”
graphics
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
39%
6%
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their beautiful pixel art style and captivating animations, which evoke strong emotions and enhance the overall atmosphere. Many players appreciate the nostalgic feel and unique aesthetic that aligns well with the game's themes, although some express a desire for a more story-rich gameplay experience to complement the art. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and engagement.
- “The art style of this game is amazing, something that makes it stand out compared to other games but still has that Beholder vibe and theme. I can't wait for the next Beholder game!”
- “The art style is striking; it lends itself really well to this setting and is just really beautiful.”
- “Graphics look great and almost feel nostalgic; some of the key scenes were genuinely beautiful, and the train's background environment kept changing in interesting ways throughout the trip.”
- “You can tell that 2D graphics were tough for them.”
- “Now it's pixel art; I know it's unique, but I don't feel it's better than 2. So the conclusion is to try to improve the graphics of Beholder 2 and implement more into the next series!”
- “Overall, I love the new graphics and play style on the train, but if you aren't a Beholder fan or this is your first game in the series, I would not recommend it.”
atmosphere
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
35%
10%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its dark, immersive, and emotionally heavy qualities, reminiscent of the "Papers Please" style and the previous entries in the Beholder series. Players appreciate the engaging art style, tense moral dilemmas, and the chilling ambiance that effectively evokes a dystopian world. Despite some critiques regarding pacing and control, the overall atmosphere remains a standout feature that captivates and draws players into its narrative.
- “Every interaction feels meaningful, and the atmosphere is just as dark, immersive, and emotionally heavy as fans would expect.”
- “The subdued color palette, exaggerated character designs, and atmospheric lighting all serve to immerse the player in a world where hope feels scarce and fear governs behavior.”
- “I've been in love with the world of Beholder from the very beginning — its dark atmosphere, tough choices, and haunting storytelling always pulled me in.”
- “I really wanted to like this game as I love the similar atmosphere to Papers, Please, but with extremely clunky controls, constantly rushing to jail people just to eek out enough points to get to the next story beat just kind of kills the game.”
- “It could be better if they extended the atmosphere from 3rd class but not just abandoned it.”
- “The visual storytelling re increased opulence as you move up in the train vs the atmosphere outside is chilling.”
music
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
41%
13%
The music in the game has received high praise for its atmospheric quality and ability to complement the dark, oppressive tone of the narrative, with many reviewers rating it 10/10. While the soundtrack and sound design are generally well-received, some players noted issues with abrupt transitions that disrupt immersion. Overall, the music enhances the gameplay experience, fitting seamlessly into the dystopian setting and contributing to the game's emotional depth.
- “Visual style and music complement the dark, oppressive tone extremely well.”
- “The music and sound design is very nice and appropriate for the story beats as you progress.”
- “Great atmosphere, gameplay, and music.”
- “The second minor thing are the abrupt soundtrack transitions.”
- “I'm not talking about the transition when you search luggage here or any other that is normal to have an abrupt shift, but when you get into a dialogue that shifts the music or when something happens and the music's gotta reflect that, the transition should be less noticeable, more fluid, to remain in the background.”
- “Some slightly better transitions with the music (e.g. when you check the luggage of passengers, the music switches very abruptly to an intense theme, just to be shut off the moment you close the luggage).”
replayability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
62%
19%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed among reviewers. While some appreciate the multiple paths and subtle changes based on player choices, many criticize the linearity and short length, which limit the incentive to replay. A few players find value in achievements and different endings, but overall, the consensus leans towards a lack of substantial replay value.
- “Replayability is strong, not just because of multiple paths, but because the game subtly alters the tone and flow of events depending on how rigid or lenient you are in upholding the law.”
- “It's short but enjoyable, with good replay value (I'd say 2–3 runs should let you see everything), interesting characters, new insights into the world of Beholder, and an absorbing story.”
- “The timers are also difficult to handle if you haven't already prepared for something in advance or the game doesn't give you the option to, but I like the trial and error aspect of these games as it gives it a lot of replayability and although it's challenging overall, it's still very fun to play, definitely fulfills its purpose as a Beholder game.”
- “Unfortunately, the worst part of the trilogy – very short and not really replayable (except maybe for the different endings).”
- “Very fun mechanics and design, but in the end it's just so linear and has really no replay value, which is needed since the game is about 4 hours start to finish.”
- “There is not enough content or variety for replayability for me; everything is the same except for a few interactions, and some seemingly small choices can lock you out of some things, which is disappointing due to the lack of replayability.”
emotional
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a dark, immersive atmosphere and a heartfelt storyline that resonates deeply with players. While some find the interactions meaningful and captivating, others feel a sense of emotional detachment due to the game's thematic focus on being a cog in a machine. Overall, the game elicits strong emotional responses, though it can also be seen as emotionally manipulative, limiting creative thinking.
- “Every interaction feels meaningful, and the atmosphere is just as dark, immersive, and emotionally heavy as fans would expect.”
- “A wonderful game with a heartfelt storyline!”
- “It feels like the developers truly listened to longtime fans and delivered a game that’s not only challenging but emotionally powerful.”
grinding
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
12%
75%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of "Beholder: Conductor" to be tedious and frustrating, particularly when it comes to accumulating authority and completing repetitive tasks for achievements. While the game offers replayability, the necessity of grinding can detract from the overall enjoyment, especially on higher difficulty levels where the demands feel constricting. Some players suggest that a more relaxed mode enhances the experience by allowing for exploration without the pressure of grinding.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Describing Beholder: Conductor's gameplay as 'tedious' does not fully capture the frustration that is this game's gameplay.”
- “While there are elements that reflect some of the nuanced view of autocracy and a surveillance state that make the rest of the series great, Beholder: Conductor is tedious, frustrating, and lacks nuance or agency.”
- “When I have to make 20k authority within an in-game week while also dealing with quests that only offer you 100 authority is really stressful and tedious.”
stability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
86%
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with some players encountering significant bugs, particularly with the checkpoint system, leading to progression blockers. While a few users noted minor glitches, others reported a generally smooth experience, indicating that stability issues may vary among players. Overall, the game is described as enjoyable despite its stability concerns.
- “The game isn't buggy from what I've seen.”
- “The stability of the game is impressive; I haven't encountered any crashes.”
- “I've played for hours without any issues, which speaks volumes about its stability.”
- “However, the checkpoint system is awfully buggy and I run into progression blockers at at least three of them.”
- “I have had to restart the game multiple times due to that, and the glitches I was experiencing.”
- “Still buggy and runs laggy; I think they should make a more serious Beholder series.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a dark, satirical tone, where players find amusement in the absurdity of authority figures violently enforcing rules on "innocent" characters. Players often experience comedic situations stemming from their choices, such as inadvertently emptying the train of passengers while trying to uphold the law, leading to a blend of bleakness and humor that keeps the gameplay engaging and addictive. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with its darker themes, making for a uniquely entertaining experience.
- “Hilariously, in my first run I would report everyone whenever I found something banned, and it ended up leaving the train almost empty. I missed a good amount of quests due to that and was left extremely short on resources to proceed, leading me to scrape any last bit of info I could find to report on, and even had to plant several banned items to blackmail for some money.”
- “The game’s still got that perfect mix of 'hmm, should I help this person?' and 'oops, now the state wants to erase me.' It’s bleak, funny in a dark way, and strangely addicting.”
- “Very funny and good game like the other of the Beholders. Keep up the good work, dev!”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
Character development is highlighted through minimalist yet emotionally impactful designs, particularly with endearing characters like the little girls with pigtails. The art style, featuring a subdued color palette and exaggerated designs, enhances the narrative's themes of hope and fear, while the story's unexpected twists are complemented by thoughtful character progression. Overall, the design choices significantly contribute to a rich and immersive character experience.
- “The subdued color palette, exaggerated character designs, and atmospheric lighting all serve to immerse the player in a world where hope feels scarce and fear governs behavior.”
- “I enjoyed the story, character development, and the little details contributing to unexpected twists and turns.”
- “I don't want to say too much, but the character design choices are ace.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters on an emotional level.”
- “The characters are one-dimensional and their arcs are predictable, leaving little room for growth or surprise.”
- “Despite the interesting premise, the character development is poorly executed, resulting in a lack of investment in their journeys.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The optimization of the game is praised for its smooth performance, with users reporting no technical issues during gameplay.
- “The performance is smooth, and I didn’t encounter any technical issues.”
- “The game runs flawlessly, with no lag or glitches.”
- “Optimization is top-notch, allowing for a seamless gaming experience.”