I'm on Observation Duty

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,229 reviews
  • gameplay
  • atmosphere
  • graphics
I'm on Observation Duty Game Cover
Starting at $2.99Buy now
Get on Steam 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.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,229 reviews
gameplay12 positive mentions
story5 negative mentions
  • The game offers a unique blend of spot-the-difference gameplay with horror elements, creating a tense and engaging experience.
  • It has high replayability due to the randomization of anomalies, ensuring that each playthrough feels fresh and challenging.
  • The atmosphere is effectively creepy, with well-placed jump scares that enhance the overall tension without relying solely on them.
  • Some anomalies can be very subtle and difficult to identify, leading to frustration when players fail to report them correctly.
  • The reporting system can be clunky, as players must select from a dropdown menu that may not clearly categorize certain anomalies.
  • The game lacks a tutorial or guidance, which can make it challenging for new players to understand the mechanics and objectives.
  • gameplay43 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its unique blend of "spot-the-difference" mechanics and a horror atmosphere reminiscent of Five Nights at Freddy's, offering simple yet engaging mechanics that are easy to learn. While the content is limited, with only a couple of levels, the replayability and captivating premise keep players invested, making it a fun and chilling experience. Overall, the game is praised for its innovative approach and ability to create tension without relying on cheap jump scares.

    • “By mixing spot-the-difference gameplay with environments presented through security cameras, this series has made a real name for itself and become a classic in my book.”
    • “The gameplay is very similar to those 'spot the difference' games your mom played on the 'family' laptop at 9 pm with you helping her.”
    • “This game has a very clear idea for gameplay and implements it perfectly.”
    • “There is not much content - a total of 2 houses to play through - and the mechanics are fairly limited, but as an introduction, the game serves very well.”
    • “But the problem is the lacking gameplay.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere39 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its eerie and unsettling qualities, effectively creating a tense environment that keeps players on edge without relying heavily on jump scares. Reviewers appreciate the blend of psychological horror and humor, noting that the simplicity of the design enhances the overall creepiness. Many highlight the game's ability to evoke a sense of dread and intrigue, making it a compelling experience that encourages replayability.

    • “The atmosphere is great, as you never know what will be on the next camera when you flick to it.”
    • “The atmosphere and sound design is phenomenal.”
    • “The atmosphere is tense as well and stays that way throughout each run, especially in later hours.”
    • “I cannot fully explain just why it's so creepy, but the atmosphere of this game is incredibly well done for being so simple.”
    • “The atmosphere is extremely unsettling and when certain anomalies cross your way you might jump a bit as well.”
  • graphics29 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they are dated and low-resolution, which can make it challenging to spot differences and navigate the environment. However, some users appreciate how the simplistic visuals contribute to the game's eerie atmosphere and overall horror experience, suggesting that the graphics fit the theme well despite their limitations. Overall, while the graphics may not be impressive, they effectively enhance the game's tension and replayability.

    • “Overall good visuals and great use of subtlety to hide small changes.”
    • “The graphics are solid and the black and white camera footage really adds to the tension and makes for a greater challenge.”
    • “The low-res graphics honestly added to the horror.”
    • “Graphical limitations make some of the ghouls more laughable than scary.”
    • “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.”
    • “The graphics aren't marvelous, so if you want that, you don't want this.”
  • humor28 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending effectively with its horror elements to create a unique experience that elicits both laughter and scares. Players appreciate the comedic moments, particularly during jump scares and quirky anomalies, which add a lighthearted touch to the otherwise spooky atmosphere. Overall, the game is described as entertaining and funny, making it enjoyable to play with friends and family while maintaining a balance between tension and humor.

    • “Plus the hidden secrets are fun to find and some of the anomalies are hilarious, like the dude that shows up in the shower, lol!”
    • “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.”
  • story25 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 freedom this ambiguity provides, allowing for personal interpretation, others express a desire for at least a basic plot to enhance the experience. Overall, the focus seems to be more on gameplay mechanics and atmosphere rather than a compelling storyline.

    • “It dumbfounds me how this didn't get game of the year back in 2019 with its deep lore and story.”
    • “There's no clear story, but that's the beauty of it.”
    • “Especially once you construct a story of your own as to what's behind everything.”
    • “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.”
    • “Like a horror version of 'spot the difference.' Pretty much no story, with one weird mystery that I'm not sure the creator really intended there to be an answer for... very fun and scary stylish game.”
  • replayability24 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its random anomalies and unique experiences in each playthrough, encouraging players to return for new challenges and surprises. While some players find it short, the variability and effective jumpscares enhance its replay value, making it a worthwhile experience. Overall, many users appreciate the game's ability to keep them engaged through multiple runs.

    • “There's replay value in wanting to see all the different anomalies that can happen during a run.”
    • “The randomness adds some solid replayability and variation, and it becomes surprisingly stressful to hit the wrong option in a report and have to wait through the cooldown with a figure staggering towards you out of the woods!”
    • “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.”
    • “It has a medium amount of replay value and is worth the price.”
  • music12 mentions

    The music in the game is described as eerie and fitting, enhancing the overall atmosphere and tension, especially during moments of suspense. While some players appreciate the haunting soundtrack and its ability to evoke fear, others note that there are significant stretches of silence, which can lead to awkwardness. Overall, the music effectively contributes to the game's mood, balancing between creating a chilling experience and providing moments of levity.

    • “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.”
    • “The music is silly, but I was thankful for it as it cut through the tension a little with every daunting, ominous countdown of minutes.”
    • “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.”
    • “Lack of music whatsoever and sudden loud noise together scared us both as hell.”
    • “The music is silly, but I was thankful for it as it cut through the tension a little with every daunting, ominous counting down of minutes.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and potentially boring, especially when trying to reach the 6am mark. While some may appreciate the challenge, others feel it requires excessive time and patience, 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 6am 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

    The game is widely criticized for its poor optimization, with players noting that it consumes excessive resources for its gameplay, leading to performance issues. However, some users report a smooth experience without any bugs.

    • “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.”
  • stability3 mentions

    Overall, users report a stable experience with no significant glitches or crashes, making the game accessible even on older systems. While high-end hardware enhances performance, it is not a requirement for smooth gameplay.

    • “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 can play for hours without any interruptions or performance issues.”
    • “Adam tried to explain it all away as glitches, but even he couldn't deny the chills running down his spine.”
  • emotional2 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. Despite the emotional intensity, many find the experience rewarding and worthwhile.

    • “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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy I'm on Observation Duty

Play time

4hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
2-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News