Not For Broadcast

95%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,714 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • humor
Not For Broadcast Game Cover
Quite possibly the best FMV game ever, Not For Broadcast had me both laughing and scrambling in a panic when the channel's viewership dropped. Even if you’ve never had any interest in FMV games before, Not For Broadcast will surely change your mind.
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"Not For Broadcast" is a darkly comedic game where you control a live television broadcast, deciding which camera angles to show and which content to censor. Balance the demands of egotistical celebrities, pushy sponsors, and politicians to keep your audience entertained, all while dealing with unexpected technical issues. Your choices shape the narrative and tone of the broadcast.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,714 reviews
story764 positive mentions
monetization63 negative mentions
  • Unique gameplay that combines live-action footage with decision-making mechanics.
  • Engaging and thought-provoking story with multiple endings that reflect player choices.
  • Strong performances from the cast, adding depth and humor to the narrative.
  • Gameplay can become repetitive, especially during longer broadcast segments.
  • Frequent crashes and technical issues can disrupt the experience.
  • Some players may find the tonal shifts between comedy and serious themes jarring.
  • story1,954 mentions

    The story of "Not for Broadcast" is a captivating blend of dark humor and political satire, set in a dystopian world where players control a news broadcast, influencing public perception through their choices. The narrative unfolds through engaging live-action segments and text-based interactions, allowing for multiple endings and character arcs that deepen the player's investment in the unfolding drama. While the game is still in early access, the writing, acting, and unique gameplay mechanics promise a rich and immersive storytelling experience that keeps players eager for more.

    • “This game is an incredible demonstration of creativity and storytelling.”
    • “The story is so investing, and the actors deserve many awards for their performances!”
    • “The story, despite being absurd and unserious with the comedy in the first few hours, evolved into something far more profound, almost sinister.”
    • “The way the story is brought together by the actors and game mechanics makes it such a fun and entertaining game to play.”
    • “You are penalized if you linger on a shot for too long, even if any other shot that the game wants you to broadcast would be inappropriate or inconsistent with the overarching themes of the story: the built-in assessor overrides any plot nuance that could be expressed through more intelligent game design decisions.”
    • “It almost feels like they had a story planned out, then they lost the script at some point and just came up with a bunch of disparate unrelated material to stay on their production schedule.”
  • gameplay1,153 mentions

    The gameplay of "Not for Broadcast" is characterized by its unique blend of live-action video editing and interactive mechanics, requiring players to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, such as switching camera feeds, censoring content, and handling interference. While many players find the gameplay engaging and innovative, some criticize it for becoming repetitive or overwhelming, particularly as new mechanics are introduced. Overall, the game successfully combines humor, storytelling, and challenging gameplay, making it a compelling experience for those who enjoy narrative-driven games with a satirical edge.

    • “A phenomenal game with innovative gameplay mechanics.”
    • “Each game is unique in its mechanics and each comes with its own challenges.”
    • “The gameplay is engaging, and keeps you on your toes, though I expect it to get much more hectic once the full release is finished.”
    • “The gameplay is awful.”
    • “The awards show segment in particular was so boring, so unfunny, and had so little gameplay that it was insulting.”
    • “The gameplay itself feels repetitive after a while, just because they’re limited to how the actual job would work in real life.”
  • humor1,011 mentions

    The humor in "Not for Broadcast" is widely praised for its cleverness and absurdity, often blending dark comedy with sharp satire of media and politics. Players appreciate the engaging writing, memorable characters, and the ability to elicit genuine laughter, with many noting the game's British humor as a standout feature. However, some reviews mention that the humor can be hit-or-miss, with certain segments feeling forced or overly silly, yet overall, the game is celebrated for its unique and entertaining comedic approach.

    • “The writers had to have had an incredible time taking real headlines and stories and situations from the news and adjusting them just enough to be distinct, as well as the hilariously absurd and obvious names for the characters in these stories.”
    • “Absolutely brilliant game; super funny humor throughout, and a good moral to the story as well about swinging the pendulum too far either direction, masterfully done!”
    • “The humor in this game is cleverly delivered through witty dialogue, absurd scenarios, and the unpredictable nature of live television.”
    • “The awards show segment in particular was so boring, so unfunny, and had so little gameplay that it was insulting.”
    • “Maybe it could have worked as a comedy, but critically it's not funny unless you are really into weak low-budget sketches where no one behaves realistically and the acting is over-the-top caricatures.”
    • “But it seems like the game decided to never expand on that, doing the same thing over and over again in favor of this weird dark comedy storyline about oppressive governments, media propaganda, and some of the most unfunny 'lol random' comedy I've ever seen.”
  • music178 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its catchy and well-produced tracks, with many players noting that certain songs become earworms. While some musical segments can feel lengthy or challenging, particularly in rhythm-based gameplay, the overall soundtrack enhances the game's comedic and immersive experience. Players appreciate the variety of musical styles and the clever songwriting, making the music a standout feature that complements the game's humor and narrative.

    • “The music is amazing, the mechanics feel fair and balanced, and even though I'm not the best at this game, I had loads of fun completing the first two episodes.”
    • “The soundtrack is great and the game looks very nice.”
    • “The writing is fantastic, the jokes are hilarious, the acting is on point, and the OST is even better!”
    • “If I had any critique, the musical numbers feel really long and the rhythm game with it is not super forgiving.”
    • “My brain was a needle's thread away from a stroke after playing what felt like the 200th dull musical/theatre segment.”
    • “The music rhythm sections can be a pain keeping with the beat; it just seemed a bit unforgiving or just slightly off.”
  • replayability130 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its multiple endings and branching narratives, encouraging players to explore different choices and outcomes. Many reviewers highlight the significant impact of player decisions on the story, enhancing the desire to replay. While some note that the replay value may diminish after several playthroughs, the overall consensus is that the game offers a rich and engaging experience that invites repeated exploration.

    • “The branching narrative based on player choices adds replayability, encouraging experimentation to witness different outcomes.”
    • “With many of the routes being unexplored by me at the time of playing this, each of them have value, and given the sheer number of endings this game has, there is an incredible amount of replayability.”
    • “Your choices actually matter in this game, which makes it all the more replayable and challenging.”
    • “There probably is some replay value here and there (14 epilogues), but it's a one-time deal for me; too much time spent on nothing, just re-watching what you've already seen.”
    • “Only issue I would have with this game is the fact that replayability seems quite unneeded and uninteresting.”
    • “I'm excited to see where the devs go with this game, as it has potential, but for now as I've finished it, it'll be sitting in my library; there's not a lot of replay value currently.”
  • graphics95 mentions

    The game's graphics feature a nostalgic, low-fi aesthetic reminiscent of VHS tapes, which adds a charming retro vibe, complemented by a unique blend of live-action and animated visuals. While many players appreciate the beautiful art style and immersive environments, some criticize the outdated sprites and occasional graphical errors, indicating a need for optimization. Overall, the visuals are generally well-received, with a strong emphasis on atmosphere and artistic design, though performance issues may hinder the experience for some players.

    • “The game's visual style adopts a nostalgic, low-fi aesthetic reminiscent of VHS tapes, adding a charming retro vibe to the experience.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful even though you play in such a small environment.”
    • “The graphics are fantastic.”
    • “Instead of creating an 'intertemporal' storyline as intended, it just makes the whole thing feel tired, and it's not helped by 'oh hum' sprites and 3D artwork that simply won't do in 2022 or beyond.”
    • “Only criticism: background graphics during text choices look horrible.”
    • “Great game but if you don't have at least a lower-mid-range computer, don't expect to be able to play this on even the lowest graphics settings.”
  • optimization88 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with some players experiencing significant performance issues such as stuttering and crashes, particularly during video transitions. While many praised the smoothness of gameplay on higher-end systems, concerns were raised about accessibility for mid-range devices. Overall, despite the optimization challenges, the impressive performances and engaging gameplay mechanics were highlighted as standout features.

    • “You can choose ads, switch between screens, and manage the frequency; meanwhile, your performance affects how much money you make and what different organizations think of you.”
    • “The fact that you can view all the alternate-camera performances after each session (that you will most likely miss if keeping up with action) is a great bonus that fleshes out the experience and storytelling.”
    • “Performance-wise, the game runs pretty smoothly.”
    • “This game has some optimization issues; I think they should tone down some of the graphics so it’s more accessible to more people.”
    • “The video was stuttering and it affected the gameplay severely.”
    • “Game is not optimized.”
  • emotional68 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with players noting its ability to evoke a broad spectrum of feelings, from laughter to deep sadness. Many reviewers highlighted the superb acting and well-crafted narrative that foster genuine connections with the characters, making their experiences feel impactful and relatable. Overall, the game is described as an emotional roller coaster that successfully blends humor with poignant moments, leaving a lasting impression on players.

    • “The acting is superb, the mechanics are solid, and it's just an emotional roller coaster of joy and depression.”
    • “These amazing performances are the main reason why I genuinely became very attached to the characters, why I laughed, why I cried, why I cared about this fictional setting, and why I cared about its politics and message.”
    • “It's very rare that I've had a game have such a wide emotional range, but Not for Broadcast absolutely brought me to tears with both laughter and sadness.”
  • monetization63 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is intricately tied to player choices, where selecting ads and managing broadcasts directly impacts financial success and viewer engagement. Players appreciate the humor and creativity in the parody advertisements, which enhance the gameplay experience, although some report bugs that hinder ad management. Overall, the game is praised for its depth and the meaningful consequences of advertising decisions, making it feel like a well-crafted experience rather than a cash grab.

    • “The latter of these proves to be particularly detrimental given the mix of increasingly turgid programming and propaganda advertisements that you find yourselves being forced to edit.”
    • “However, at present the game is plagued by a bug that makes it impossible for me to complete it, as the buttons to issue the ads are locked and that means a guaranteed loss every time.”
    • “You can change the camera angle, control what ads are played throughout the program, censor swears that the many colorful characters say, and also can ruin people's lives by controlling what the media sees of them.”
  • grinding36 mentions

    The reviews indicate that the game involves significant grinding, with many players expressing that the repetitive nature of certain tasks and the inability to skip previously viewed content contribute to a tedious experience. While some appreciate the story and choices, the overall sentiment is that the gameplay can become monotonous, requiring a considerable time investment to progress.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The problem is that there is no way to skip excerpts already watched, which makes the game quite grindy to replay.”
    • “I found this to be tedious, not fun.”
    • “I get there is a nice social message here people identify with but the gameplay loop itself is tedious and boring.”
  • stability24 mentions

    The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous users reporting frequent crashes, bugs, and technical glitches that disrupt gameplay. Many players experience issues such as freezing menus, video playback failures, and signal interferences, making it difficult to progress. While some users note that the game runs well on certain platforms, the overall consensus is that it remains extremely buggy, particularly in early access.

    • “Runs great on the deck and feels immersive with the weather effects and other wacky things that challenge you.”
    • “There were no glitches or bugs I found.”
    • “On top of it, the game is somewhat buggy; crashes are not uncommon, leaving you to replay sometimes up to 15 minutes of already watched footage.”
    • “Currently extremely buggy on Steam Deck. I really want to love this game, but unfortunately, I still cannot get past the second mission because of the constant crashes or when all the broadcast screens display static while the audio can play for a second or two, even after a full reinstallation.”
    • “Game is buggy and broken; it seems that the videos not playing (kind of essential to the game) is such a common issue that there is an alternative build on Steam. But even with that, I still can't proceed past the very beginning—no videos play, and the buttons to select feed don't unlock—it's game over a few seconds later.”
  • atmosphere19 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and quirky qualities, enhanced by live-action elements and strong performances from actors. Reviewers highlight the effective blend of humor and a dark, dystopian tone, creating a compelling environment that evolves with the story. The soundtrack and overall design contribute to a rich, engaging experience that captivates players throughout their journey.

    • “The live-action elements, including the performances of the in-game actors, contribute to the immersive and quirky atmosphere.”
    • “I sensed the rapport of the actors in the game and could tell that it was quite a close-knit sort of atmosphere.”
    • “Being early access, at the time of this review only three levels are available, making for an experience that is relatively short, but nonetheless quite dense in plot and atmosphere; the broadcasts strike a good balance of humor, wit and a looming air of dread of things to come, as the country begins a slow and steady decline into what seems to be a growingly authoritarian state, reeled in by a freshly voted in new government with bold and hopeful new promises of a bigger, better future.”
    • “If you heard about games like Beholder or Papers, Please, then you know how important atmosphere is for those types of games. I have to say, NFB absolutely perfected the dark atmosphere of dystopian worlds. Even though the first part is a true comedy, in NFB's middle, you definitely will fall into the cold hands of depression.”
    • “A sharp irony that succeeds and makes you smile, bitterly, in an overtly dystopian atmosphere.”
    • “I sensed the rapport of the actors in the game and could tell that it was quite a close-knit sort of atmosphere.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its exceptional quality, with strong acting that reveals the personalities of the main cast. However, some players note that while initial character development is limited, they anticipate further growth as the game evolves.

    • “Some of the best character development I have ever seen in a game.”
    • “In my opinion, the acting is great and it helps to give you a small glimpse of the personalities of the main cast, both on-air and off-air. While there is not a lot in the way of character development for the main cast at present from the few hours that I've played, I assume that this will probably be worked on at a later stage while core mechanics and gameplay are refined.”
    • “In my opinion, the acting is great and it helps to give you a small glimpse of the personalities of the main cast both on-air and off-air. However, there is not much in the way of character development for the main cast at present from the few hours that I've played. I assume that this will probably be worked on at a later stage while core mechanics and gameplay are refined.”
    • “The character development feels lacking, as the main cast doesn't evolve much throughout the game. I expected more depth and growth, but it seems like the focus is elsewhere.”
    • “While the game has potential, the character development is disappointingly shallow. I found myself not caring about the characters because their arcs are underdeveloped and predictable.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

Buy Not For Broadcast

Play time

4hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
2-9hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 30 analyzed playthroughs

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