I'm on Observation Duty
- April 3, 2019
- Zaster
- 4h median play time
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Get on itch.io Store"I'm on Observation Duty" is a narrative-driven psychological thriller game where you play as a hospital observer. Your job is to monitor and document the behavior of a patient, but as you dig deeper, you'll discover unsettling secrets and question your own sanity. The game features multiple endings based on your choices, creating a unique and immersive experience.
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Reviews
- Creative spin on the spot-the-difference genre, providing a unique horror experience.
- Great for playing with friends, enhancing the fun and tension of spotting anomalies.
- Challenging gameplay that keeps players engaged and on edge, with a variety of anomalies to discover.
- Some anomalies are difficult to identify, leading to frustration and confusion during gameplay.
- The reporting system can be clunky, causing delays that may result in losing the game.
- Limited replayability once players become familiar with the anomalies, reducing the game's long-term appeal.
- gameplay36 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its unique mechanics and engaging, albeit brief, experience that effectively combines horror elements with simple yet challenging tasks. Players appreciate the replayability and the balance of difficulty, though some note issues with optimization and minor frustrations related to spotting anomalies. Overall, the game is considered fun and well-suited for streaming, making it a hit among fans of the genre.
“This game has a very clear idea for gameplay and implements it perfectly.”
“I thought that the gameplay was very unique, as I personally have not played a game with the kind of mechanics that were in this game before.”
“An incredibly fun concept providing for both gameplay challenge and lots of bizarre creepiness.”
“But the problem is the lacking gameplay.”
“The gameplay can be annoying/frustrating with the hard to notice anomalies.”
“On top of all of that, it's poorly optimized: I don't know what, in this kind of game, could get my fans to start working, or how, but it happened every time; evidently, it takes more resources than it should for gameplay like this.”
- atmosphere34 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unsettling and creepy qualities, effectively creating a sense of dread without relying heavily on jump scares. Players appreciate the tension and intrigue that builds throughout gameplay, with many noting the game's ability to maintain a chilling ambiance that enhances the overall experience. The combination of simplicity in design and psychological horror elements contributes to a uniquely engaging atmosphere that keeps players coming back for more.
“The atmosphere is great, as you never know what will be on the next camera when you flick to it.”
“The atmosphere is tense as well and stays that way throughout each run, especially in later hours.”
“The atmosphere and sound design is phenomenal.”
“The atmosphere is extremely unsettling and when certain anomalies cross your way you might jump a bit as well.”
“I get the atmosphere the devs were going for but just didn't do it for me.”
“Although there are a few startling moments, most of the scare factor comes from the sense of dread and unsettling atmosphere.”
- graphics25 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many users noting that they are dated and low-resolution, which can hinder visibility and navigation. However, some players appreciate how the unrefined visuals contribute to the game's horror atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience. While the graphics may not be impressive, they are deemed sufficient for the game's aesthetic and gameplay, making it enjoyable despite technical shortcomings.
“The unrefined graphics really help the uncanniness of the horror, and while there are jumpscares, they feel oddly fair because you're almost relieved to see them and get an easy anomaly.”
“The graphics are solid and the black and white camera footage really adds to the tension and makes for a greater challenge.”
“Surprisingly high quality for a 2 dollar game with such simple graphics.”
“The visuals are kinda bad and make it hard to see as well. I upped the graphics and improved it in the NVIDIA control panel, and still I could barely make out some of them, like the 'ghost' in the doorway.”
“Some aspects of the graphics can be a bit crude looking, and the reporting interface is rather clunky, relying on scrollable lists to select what and where the anomaly is, which can take an unnecessary amount of time and thought to navigate (especially when your camera's locked on a visually jarring anomaly).”
“The graphics aren't marvelous, so if you want that, you don't want this.”
- humor23 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending jump scares with comedic moments that often leave players laughing rather than just scared. Many users appreciate the balance between tension and humor, noting that the game's funny elements enhance the overall experience, especially when played with friends or family. The combination of horror and humor creates a unique atmosphere that keeps players engaged and entertained, making it a fun choice for those who enjoy both genres.
“I love the humor behind the reports, redundancies, and technicalities.”
“The game is enjoyable and can even be hilarious sometimes with its jump scares.”
“It somehow manages to be really atmospheric, very scary, and very funny a lot of the time.”
- story22 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely described as vague or nonexistent, with many players noting that it lacks a clear narrative or backstory. While some appreciate the game's ability to engage without a traditional plot, others express a desire for at least a basic storyline to enhance the experience. Overall, the consensus is that the game prioritizes atmosphere and gameplay over a structured narrative.
“It dumbfounds me how this didn't get game of the year back in 2019 with its deep lore and story.”
“Its a really well made game and it keeps you playing with enough details and horror without needing a backstory or jump scares; it's really amazing.”
“This game doesn't have much in terms of spoilers or plot, so I would recommend watching gameplay footage before deciding on purchase.”
“There's also supposedly a bit of story involved, as well, but I haven't played it long enough to gather what it is.”
“There's no story whatsoever, and the 'attacks' you receive have way less of an impact, since you are just looking through cameras; even if something like this happened in real life, nothing could harm you.”
“No story or reason why what is going on is going on.”
- replayability20 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with players enjoying the randomness and variety of anomalies that keep each playthrough fresh and engaging. Many reviewers noted that the game offers a surprising amount of content and challenges, encouraging multiple runs to experience different scenarios. However, a few users mentioned that some aspects could limit replay value, but the general consensus is that the game remains worth revisiting.
“Excellent replayability and rare but effective jumpscares.”
“It's a fairly short game to play through, but is very replayable in order to see all the different anomalies that take place.”
“I love the replay value this game brings; I've played it loads of times and always get something new.”
“Replayability, once you know the levels and what can change, it's easier to survive the night.”
“Very little replay value but overall, worth the purchase.”
“If you like this one but felt it lacking in replayability or content, definitely try the fourth and fifth games.”
- music10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for enhancing the atmosphere, with eerie tracks that heighten tension during gameplay and a standout soundtrack for menu navigation. However, some players noted a lack of consistent music, leading to moments of silence that can create awkwardness, though the sudden sound cues during key events effectively contribute to the game's scare factor. Overall, the music is seen as a crucial element that complements the game's haunting and captivating experience.
“The game has this eerie music that perfectly fits the mood, and those five iconic rooms you'll be watching are both haunting and captivating.”
“The soundtrack when you open menus is fire, very cool 9.9/10.”
“Also, the music makes it so much scarier.”
“However, you should be ready for a lot of silence and potential awkwardness, as a lot of the anomalies are pretty subtle and hard to find-- as well as there is no music and not much sound, except for when the more interesting anomalies occur.”
“Almost nothing happens, there's almost no soundtrack, but I was afraid the whole time and loved it.”
“Lack of music whatsoever and sudden loud noise together scared us both as hell.”
- grinding5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often leading to boredom, especially when trying to reach the 6am mark. While some appreciate the challenge, others feel it requires excessive patience and time investment, suggesting that it may not be enjoyable for everyone.
“I can only stare at a screen for so long before getting bored, so making it all the way to the 6 AM mark in the game is tedious for me, but if you're a patient sort of person, it's probably easily worth the 3 bucks.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game is widely criticized for its poor optimization, with players noting that it demands excessive resources for its gameplay, leading to performance issues. However, some users report a smooth experience without bugs, suggesting that optimization may vary across different systems.
“No bugs encountered and the game runs smoothly.”
“This is the most wildly unoptimized game I've ever seen.”
“On top of all that, it's poorly optimized: I don't know what, in this kind of game, could get my fans to start working, or how, but it happened every time; evidently, it takes more resources than it should for gameplay like this.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report that the emotional impact of the game is significant, with some experiencing strong feelings that led to tears, particularly in response to character moments. The game's ability to evoke such deep emotions is appreciated, even by those who are more sensitive or prone to anxiety.
“The huge man/Thanos made me cry.”
“It's good; I have a weak heart and I'm very paranoid, so I cried most of the time, but it's still good.”
- stability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, users report excellent stability with no glitches or crashes, making the game accessible even on older systems, though a high-end computer can enhance the experience.
“I've experienced no glitches or crashes, and it's easy on any old system, so you don't need a high-end computer. However, it's still nice to have one.”
“The game runs smoothly without any hiccups, making it accessible for players with older hardware.”
“Stability is top-notch; I haven't encountered any issues that would disrupt my gameplay experience.”
