I'm on Observation Duty 4
- December 22, 2021
- Notovia
- 9h median play time
Get on Steam"I'm on Observation Duty 4" is a spot-the-difference horror game where players monitor surveillance cameras to find anomalies and intruders in various rooms. Gameplay involves reporting and fixing issues such as moved objects or ghostly apparitions to avoid game overs. With randomized anomalies and a goal to survive until 6:00 AM, the game aims to keep players on edge with its psychological horror elements.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Cloud
Linux
Reviews
- The game returns to its roots with black and white static cameras, enhancing the eerie atmosphere and tension.
- With three levels instead of two, the game offers more content and replayability, featuring a variety of challenging anomalies.
- The gameplay is engaging and requires sharp observational skills, making it a fun experience to play with friends.
- Some players find the gameplay can become repetitive over time, as the core mechanics don't change much between maps.
- The game lacks a deeper narrative or character development, focusing primarily on gameplay mechanics.
- The learning curve can be steep, with subtle anomalies that may frustrate players, especially early on.
- gameplay38 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "I'm on Observation Duty 4" is praised for its unique mechanics centered around monitoring footage for anomalies, providing a fresh twist on the horror genre. While the varied environments and smooth mechanics contribute to an engaging experience, some players note that the gameplay can become repetitive over time, lacking deeper narrative elements. Overall, it offers a solid challenge and a spooky atmosphere, appealing to both casual and dedicated players.
“This is at its core simply a spot the difference with horror themes and a survival mechanic, but the fear and paranoia playing induces goes to show how well executed it is.”
“Great atmosphere with simple but challenging gameplay.”
“The core gameplay of spotting discrepancies and reporting them is surprisingly engaging, providing a fresh twist on the horror genre.”
“Gameplay can get a bit repetitive, but still has good scares.”
“Despite its intriguing concept, some players find the gameplay becoming monotonous over time.”
“The core mechanics can start to feel repetitive after a while, as the gameplay loop doesn’t change much between different maps.”
- atmosphere16 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its eerie and unsettling qualities, effectively creating a tense environment that enhances the horror experience. Players appreciate the combination of strategic gameplay and atmospheric tension, with the black-and-white aesthetic contributing to a chilling, found-footage feel. While some note a lack of deeper narrative, the overall ambiance is compelling for fans of spooky and observational games.
“Great atmosphere with simple but challenging gameplay.”
“The black and white really lends itself to the spooky, desolate, quiet atmosphere.”
“While not many jumpscares, the game makes itself horrifying off of its atmosphere and a healthy dosage of uncanny valley.”
“The eerie atmosphere and unsettling events that unfold through the security cameras make you feel like you’re truly being watched.”
“The black and white really lends itself to the spooky, desolate, quiet atmosphere, I think.”
- replayability10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find it highly enjoyable and note that even a single additional level significantly enhances replay value, others criticize its repetitive nature and limited narrative depth, suggesting that these factors may hinder long-term engagement. Some users express a desire for more achievements or a hard mode to further increase replayability.
“Even a single additional level extends the replayability quite a bit, as all three levels are quite tough (though one is clearly harder than the other two).”
“They are super replayable; the anomalies vary from obvious to so small that I'm sure there are ones that have repeated and I've just not noticed.”
“This game is very fun and has a very high replay value!”
“I wish there were more achievements or a hard mode to add more replay value.”
“A common critique is the game's limited replayability.”
“However, the game’s repetitive nature, limited narrative depth, and replay value may limit its appeal for some players.”
- story8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely criticized for its absence, with many users noting that it feels more like a gameplay experience than a narrative one. While some mention an "epic story," the consensus leans towards a lack of depth in character development and backstory, making it comparable to casual games like "Candy Crush." Overall, the focus remains on gameplay mechanics rather than a compelling narrative.
“Epic story.”
“Like playing 'Candy Crush' for the story.”
“This game has no story.”
“While the game excels in atmosphere and tension, it lacks a deeper narrative or backstory.”
“The game focuses heavily on gameplay mechanics but doesn’t provide much in terms of story or character development.”
- humor7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a blend of funny and creepy elements, providing a lighthearted contrast to the horror aspects. Players enjoy the comedic moments, especially when shared with friends during gameplay, which helps alleviate tension while still delivering scares. Overall, the game successfully balances humor and horror, making for a fun and engaging experience.
“The horror overtone keeps things feeling tense, but there's also a mild sense of humor that keeps the game from feeling like it's taking itself too seriously.”
“You’ve frustrated me, disturbed me, and made me laugh.”
“Very funny and scary at times.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their black and white aesthetic, which effectively creates a found-footage atmosphere reminiscent of the first game in the series. However, players note that the reliance on subtle visual changes can be challenging, requiring either a strong photographic memory or luck to identify anomalies.
“Fantastic for testing your photographic memory skills.”
“---{ graphics }---”
“Going back to the black and white aesthetic from the first game was a smart choice, as it coats this game in a nice found-footage-esque atmosphere that hasn't been in the series since the first game.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and monotonous, often leading to the creation of social channels to engage with others during these repetitive tasks. While some use it as a casual way to unwind after more intense gaming sessions, the overall sentiment suggests that it requires a significant time investment.
“Very grinding and boring.”
“So much that we ended up making a server poll to ping anyone interested in playing the game. It's become our little 'wind-down' game after some rigorous other-game team grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- music2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The absence of music enhances the game's atmosphere, creating a sense of paranoia that makes players feel the horror is generated by their own minds rather than the game itself, especially when experienced with headphones.
“The soundtrack is absolutely mesmerizing and enhances the overall experience of the game.”
“The music perfectly complements the gameplay, creating an immersive atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
“Each track is thoughtfully composed, adding depth and emotion to every moment in the game.”
“The lack of music mixed with the paranoia of not finding the correct anomalies is so cool and makes it seem like all the horror is made by your mind rather than the game.”
“The sound design is minimal, which can be effective, but it often feels empty and lacking in depth.”
- character development2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has been criticized for its limited narrative and character development, with a stronger emphasis on gameplay mechanics rather than storytelling or character growth.
“The game focuses heavily on gameplay mechanics but doesn’t provide much in terms of story or character development.”
“Limited narrative and character development.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is not well-optimized for 1920x1080 resolution, resulting in cut-off sides, particularly noticeable when played alongside friends using wider 21:9 monitors.
“The game is not optimized for 1920x1080 (16:9) as it cuts off some of the sides, especially noticeable when playing with friends who have widescreen monitors (21:9).”
