Bureau of Contacts
- June 20, 2024
- MiroWin
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Bureau of Contacts" is a ghost-hunting game where a neural network controls the ghost's behavior and tactics based on the player's actions and words. The game features cursed locations, different types of ghosts and traps, and the possibility of betrayal by other agents. Communication with the ghost has no limits, so players should be mindful of what they say as the ghost understands context and reacts accordingly. Explore, strategize, and survive with friends or solo in this unique horror experience.
Reviews
- The game features a unique AI that allows ghosts to respond to player actions and dialogue, creating a dynamic and immersive experience.
- The graphics and atmosphere are highly praised, contributing to a creepy and engaging environment that enhances the horror experience.
- Playing with friends adds to the fun, making it a great cooperative game that encourages teamwork and strategy.
- The game is plagued by numerous bugs and crashes, making it frustrating to play and often hindering progress.
- Many players find the gameplay mechanics confusing and poorly explained, leading to a steep learning curve and difficulty in gathering evidence.
- The AI's limitations and the monetization of the spirit box feature have drawn criticism, as players feel they are not experiencing the full game without additional purchases.
- graphics15 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning quality and unique art style, contributing to an immersive atmosphere filled with intrigue and mystery. Players appreciate the high level of graphical complexity, although some note minor performance issues on lower-end systems. Overall, the visuals are considered one of the game's greatest strengths, enhancing the ghost hunting experience significantly.
“Stunning graphics and unforgettable screamers made me really nervous :)”
“Thanks to its unique art style and rich atmosphere, Contact Bureau immerses you in a fascinating world of intrigue and mystery.”
“Because the graphics and the realization of the process of confronting phantoms are well done, but there is a downside.”
“Very fun in-depth ghost hunting simulator with the most realistic graphics I've seen in the genre.”
“One of the greatest strengths of this game is the sound and graphics.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by unique mechanics, such as the fuse and hand-drawing systems, which add depth and require strategic thinking. However, players have noted issues with the pacing, as the entity's speed leaves little time for evidence gathering, and the overall mechanics feel underdeveloped and in need of quality-of-life improvements. While the atmosphere and storyline are praised, the game still lacks polish and can be frustrating due to its demanding nature.
“The game offers deep gameplay, an interesting plot, and a great atmosphere.”
“"Contact Bureau" is an exciting adventure game that will amaze you with its amazing storyline and addictive gameplay.”
“With a compelling storyline and varied game mechanics, "Contact Bureau" forces you to think strategically and plan your actions carefully.”
“The game mechanics are bad.”
“The entity gives you zero time to gather evidence; it's very fast and there is no hiding mechanic (that I am aware of, but I could be missing it).”
“Overall, I'd say the game is lacking a fundamental level of polish and the basic mechanics require real attention.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its blend of mysticism, horror, and suspense, creating an immersive experience that captivates players. Many reviewers highlight the eerie and creepy elements, particularly when playing solo, while also noting the unique art style that enhances the overall ambiance. However, some express that the atmosphere could be more engaging, despite the game's strong gameplay and intriguing plot.
“The atmosphere is super scary, and I love how they added components to hurt the player, but the ghost needs to chill a bit.”
“How gloomy it is, especially if you play alone without co-op. After such an atmospheric immersion, you really begin to believe in ghosts.”
“Thanks to its unique art style and rich atmosphere, the game immerses you in a fascinating world of intrigue and mystery.”
“It's a pity that the atmosphere of the game itself is not as exciting as we would like.”
“The graphics in the game are very cool (because of this it slows down a little, but I think it’s not the game, but the laptop), the atmosphere is very creepy.”
“This game is good and let me tell you why: first impression was from the atmosphere the game creates.”
- story7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's story is a mix of intriguing elements, with some players finding it unclear and others praising its depth and atmosphere. "Contact Bureau" stands out for its engaging narrative and strategic gameplay, featuring unique characters and challenging decisions that enhance the overall experience. While some moments may lack intensity, the game effectively maintains suspense and keeps players on edge.
“The game offers deep gameplay, an interesting plot, and a great atmosphere.”
“"Contact Bureau" is an exciting adventure game that will amaze you with its amazing storyline and addictive gameplay.”
“You'll make difficult decisions, explore unknown places, and interact with unique characters, each with their own story.”
“The plot is unclear, and the ghosts are not scary but cute.”
“In the first mission, I found myself within 10 minutes saying, 'WTF?'”
“It really brings the chills after the introduction and keeps you on high alert throughout the story.”
- stability5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is widely reported to be unstable, with numerous bugs leading to crashes and issues such as doors not opening and missing instructions for gameplay elements. While some players find humor in the glitches, the lack of open mic functionality and occasional freezes detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, there is potential for improvement with further development.
“Very buggy and prone to crashing.”
“Really buggy, doors won't open all the time, have to use push to talk which is just not fun for a horror game, and missing information on how to use things like the spirit box. But with some more work, this will be brilliant!”
“Optimization issues; although I played at 90-100 fps, sometimes I experienced freezes.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players appreciate developers who prioritize player feedback and demonstrate a genuine commitment to the game's quality over profit, indicating a preference for ethical monetization practices rather than exploitative cash grabs.
“I personally choose to support developers who listen to their players and actually care about the well-being of their game outside of a cash grab.”
“The monetization model feels exploitative, as it prioritizes profit over player experience.”
“It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised as awesome, contributing significantly to the overall experience.
“The music is absolutely awesome!”
“The soundtrack is incredibly immersive and enhances the overall experience.”
“I love how the music perfectly matches the game's atmosphere.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
While players generally experience smooth performance with frame rates between 90-100 fps, occasional freezes have been reported, indicating that optimization may still need some improvement.
“The optimization is impressive; I consistently enjoy smooth gameplay at 90-100 FPS.”
“Despite occasional freezes, the overall optimization enhances the gaming experience significantly.”
“The game's optimization allows for high frame rates, making the gameplay feel fluid and responsive.”
“Optimization is lacking; even though I played at 90-100 FPS, I still experienced occasional freezes.”
“The game suffers from poor optimization, leading to frequent stutters and frame drops.”
“Despite having a high-end system, the optimization issues cause significant performance problems.”
