Spectator
- February 6, 2023
- Neko Machine
Get on Steam"Spectator" is a cooperative game where players monitor their office for paranormal activity through cameras and take action when unusual phenomena occur. Miss too many anomalies, and your life may be at risk. The game boasts high-definition graphics, touchscreen and game controller support, and community-created translations. It features six levels inspired by popular urban horror legends, each with over 60 uniquely generated anomalies.
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Reviews
- The game features a great atmosphere and immersive sound design that enhances the horror experience.
- It includes a variety of locations and references to popular horror games, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre.
- The gameplay is easy to learn but offers challenges, especially on higher difficulty levels, providing a fun experience overall.
- The game can feel repetitive and lacks a substantial story, which may disappoint players looking for depth.
- Some players find the normal difficulty too easy, making the game less engaging for those seeking a challenge.
- There are complaints about optimization issues and the use of AI art, which some feel detracts from the overall quality.
- story28 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that the story mode feels underdeveloped and lacks depth, often described as "barely existent." However, some appreciate the novel approach of incorporating first-person intermissions and find the simple plot well-voiced and engaging, particularly in the context of the game's dark atmosphere and gameplay. Overall, while the story may not be the main draw, it adds a unique element to the experience.
“The plot is simple, but it is well-voiced and not cringy.”
“The underlying storyline is also easier to understand and more engaging as well.”
“The story mode is something new for this genre which adds a feel of progression.”
“Nights are long and boring, and the story mode lacks any story; it's just kinda... nothing.”
“I thought this was a novel idea, but the story is barely existent and feels like it hasn't even begun when you've already finished the game.”
“Story mode can pretty much be ignored, but as a spot the difference thing, it's pretty good.”
- gameplay28 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for being easy to learn yet challenging, with well-executed mechanics and minimal bugs reported. Players appreciate the variety of locations and anomalies that keep the experience fresh, alongside a spooky atmosphere enhanced by sound design. Overall, it serves as a solid introduction to the observation duty style of horror games, with potential for future content expansion.
“Overall, it is a well-finished game with original gameplay that is easy to learn but challenging.”
“Big variety of locations and anomalies to keep the gameplay fresh and unpredictable.”
“The game's sound design is also noteworthy, as it skillfully employs different sounds and music to create a spooky and eerie atmosphere that complements the visuals, further enhancing the overall gameplay experience.”
“So these two gameplay elements make the game quite easy, even on the highest difficulty level.”
“While the mechanics certainly are there, I'd like to see some level representation for the series as well!”
“The idea of making observation duty style maps but basing it on other horror properties was a great idea and I believe there is a lot of potential for new maps and ideas for the dev if they decide to keep adding content into this game.”
- graphics22 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their high quality and ability to create an immersive and tense atmosphere, with many references to other horror games. While the visuals are impressive, players with older systems may need to adjust settings for optimal performance, as running on high settings can lead to lag. Overall, the graphics significantly enhance the gameplay experience, complemented by effective sound design.
“The visuals are really good, with a lot of references to other famous horror games.”
“Great atmosphere and graphics that create a sense of immersion and tension.”
“The story, gameplay, and graphics are just great and totally worth it!”
“You can leave those graphic settings up, but it is going to lag between camera switches too much to be enjoyable, so go with a medium setting and only lower it fully if needed.”
“If you turn the shadows off and leave graphics at ultra, that also worked fine for me.”
“I cannot guarantee it will run on anyone's system of course, but I would say you can give it a try with an older system and probably be able to play it fine if you are willing to not have the best looking graphic quality.”
- atmosphere12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a deeply immersive and creepy environment, enhanced by impressive graphics and exceptional sound design that evoke tension and horror. While initially gripping, some players find the atmosphere can become repetitive over time, leading to a paradoxical sense of relaxation. Overall, the balance between genuine horror and a spooky ambiance may vary based on individual player preferences and skills.
“The game's sound design is also noteworthy, as it skillfully employs different sounds and music to create a spooky and eerie atmosphere that complements the visuals, further enhancing the overall gameplay experience.”
“Great atmosphere and graphics that create a sense of immersion and tension.”
“This game has a nice creepy atmosphere that keeps you tense at first, but after some time it gets pretty repetitive, which may even be relaxing.”
“Wow, this is the atmosphere, oppressing the stench of creeping horror.”
“This may be good or bad depending on your skill with this type of game and/or how much real disturbing/horror vibe versus spooky atmosphere you want.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some users highlighting significant performance issues and poor optimization, while others note improvements in performance following a recent update. Overall, the consensus leans towards dissatisfaction with the game's optimization.
“Controller support and game performance have improved significantly after the recent update.”
“The game runs smoothly with good performance.”
“The optimization has made a noticeable difference in gameplay experience.”
“The game is horribly optimized; I can't say I recommend it.”
“The controller support and game performance have suffered after the recent update.”
“The game is horribly optimized; I can't say I recommend it.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music and sound design of the game are highly praised for their ability to create a spooky and eerie atmosphere that enhances the visual experience and overall gameplay.
“The game's sound design is also noteworthy, as it skillfully employs different sounds and music to create a spooky and eerie atmosphere that complements the visuals, further enhancing the overall gameplay experience.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, suggesting that it requires an unrealistic amount of effort akin to having a second life to fully engage with it.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Players feel that while the game attempts to offer replay value, once they complete the higher difficulty levels, returning to easier modes feels like a tedious time sink rather than an engaging experience.
“I understand the need for replay value, but once you beat the nightmare mode, playing on lesser difficulties feels like a time sink.”
