The Operator

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,655 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
The Operator Game Cover
The Operator is a short but very well made mystery that leaves you craving more of its amazing puzzles and storytelling moments.
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"The Operator" is a detective simulation game where you solve criminal cases for the FDI. Utilize advanced software to analyze evidence, evaluate documents, and connect clues to bring criminals to justice. Each case is a complex, mind-bending story that requires you to dig deep and uncover the truth. Assist field agents by providing critical support and follow the evidence wherever it leads.

Play Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,655 reviews
story496 positive mentions
replayability17 negative mentions
  • Engaging and immersive story that keeps players hooked from start to finish.
  • Unique gameplay mechanics that allow players to feel like a real investigator.
  • High-quality voice acting and sound design that enhance the overall experience.
  • Very short game, typically completed in 3-4 hours, which may not justify the price for some players.
  • Linear storyline with little to no impact from player choices, leading to a lack of replayability.
  • Some puzzles and mechanics are only used once, missing opportunities for deeper gameplay.
  • story1,111 mentions

    The game's story is a central focus, praised for its engaging narrative and unexpected plot twists, though many players noted its predictability and linearity. While the writing and voice acting received high marks, the short playtime of around 3-4 hours left some feeling unsatisfied, as the story felt rushed and incomplete, often leading to a desire for more content or a sequel. Overall, it is described as a compelling experience that effectively combines storytelling with puzzle-solving, making it a worthwhile play for fans of narrative-driven games.

    • “The story is really well written and leaves you wanting more!”
    • “The plot twists this game has... lord... had me on the edge of my seat every time!”
    • “With an insanely well-written and gripping story that had my jaw on the floor nearly the entire game, fun and creative gameplay, amazing voice acting, and a killer soundtrack, the operator is nothing shy of a masterpiece.”
    • “The story feels very much inspired by X-Files, while the gameplay, it seems, took inspiration from the game Orwell.”
    • “The story was its biggest selling point for me, the puzzles certainly weren't the most challenging and most of them were actually rather straightforward, but there were a couple that were decently difficult.”
    • “The story is linear without much choice and content for 13€, it's too much. I won't refund because it's an indie dev, but still give us more murder cases and let the most wanted list mean something.”
  • gameplay291 mentions

    The gameplay of "The Operator" is generally praised for its engaging mechanics and immersive detective work, though many players express disappointment over its short length, typically around 3-4 hours. While the game features a variety of interesting mechanics, several are only utilized once, leading to a sense of missed potential. Overall, the gameplay is described as fun and intuitive, effectively tying into the narrative, but many reviewers wish for more depth and opportunities to explore the mechanics further.

    • “The gameplay is engaging, the story is enthralling, and the whole package is very polished from the voice acting to the sound design to the game's soundtrack.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics are exactly what I was hoping for, but unfortunately, some of them are only used once throughout the entire game.”
    • “The unique interactive gameplay enhances the sense of realism and immersion, making the experience deeply engaging.”
    • “The game has a lot of dialogue, and not a lot of gameplay.”
    • “Some mechanics or features are only used once throughout the entire game, which feels like a missed opportunity.”
    • “Very neat concept and potential gameplay, but sadly extremely linear; none of the 'investigation' mechanics require any kind of investigation, most of them are used literally only once in the game.”
  • music142 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the storytelling and overall atmosphere, with many reviewers praising its immersive quality and how it dynamically responds to gameplay events. The soundtrack is described as top-notch, fitting perfectly with the game's tense moments and emotional beats, contributing significantly to the player's engagement and enjoyment. Overall, the combination of excellent sound design, voice acting, and a captivating musical score elevates the gaming experience, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “I love the way the music and sound emphasize the different beats of the story.”
    • “The music is phenomenal, ramping up when you discover new information. The ending sets it up for a sequel, so I hope we get more!”
    • “The soundtrack and audio work is fantastic, listening to it now.”
    • “The music, while inoffensive in quality, broke the sense of immersion for me.”
    • “Not to mention an 'original soundtrack' for another 10€.”
    • “When I calculate the 'price per hour' of the main story, this game is undoubtedly the worst in my entire game library (7€ per hour, almost 12€ if you buy the 'original soundtrack'), including cutscenes and dialogues.”
  • atmosphere52 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive quality, with many reviewers highlighting the meticulous attention to detail, compelling sound design, and a soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players feel a strong sense of tension and urgency throughout, contributing to a captivating detective narrative that keeps them engaged. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, effectively drawing players into its world and story.

    • “The attention to detail and realistic scenarios create a captivating atmosphere.”
    • “The musical score masterfully maintained a tense atmosphere throughout the entire playthrough, creating a constant sense of threat.”
    • “The game has got an excellent blend of mixed media, cinematic and a truly atmospheric score that intertwines with the narrative in a beautiful way to create this experience.”
    • “6/10 for the atmosphere.”
    • “There's unnecessary padding, in full blur cut scenes that take place between each 'day', and they seem to exist either for 'atmosphere' or more cynically, just to pad the game out so you go over the 2 hour refund mark.”
    • “The game is simple, but with a special atmosphere - you are doing some basic tasks to get fast into the sad story without knowing...”
  • replayability47 mentions

    The game's replayability is largely criticized, with many reviewers noting a complete lack of divergent paths or multiple endings, rendering it a linear experience with minimal incentive to replay. While some players enjoyed the story and gameplay, they expressed disappointment over the absence of meaningful choices and replay value, often suggesting it feels more like a short film than a game. Overall, the consensus is that while the game may be enjoyable for a single playthrough, it offers little in terms of replayability.

    • “With high replay value and ongoing updates, this game is a must-play for fans of the genre.”
    • “I love the story (I was able to predict some of it but still blown away by some twists), the puzzles are easy to understand but still challenging to complete at times, and the best part is the replayability.”
    • “One of the standout features is the replayability factor.”
    • “Could be a good buy on sale if you don’t mind a short linear story with no replay value as your choices don’t matter at all.”
    • “There are no divergent paths, only one ending, and zero replay value.”
    • “The ending is a bit disappointing because in a game with these many choices just a single ending no matter what you do really impedes replayability.”
  • graphics44 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received high praise for their stunning visuals and immersive aesthetic, often described as a perfect fit for the game's themes and mechanics. Many reviewers noted the impressive art style and sound design, which enhance the overall experience, although some felt that certain visual elements, like cutscenes, could be improved. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's atmosphere, making it a visually appealing experience.

    • “The graphics are stunning, and the real-time command system adds layers of tactical depth.”
    • “The visuals are astounding, the music is perfect, and the voice acting is awesome.”
    • “The writing, visuals, and story all fit perfectly together and give you a super immersive experience.”
    • “It relies heavily on style over substance, using eye-catching visuals to distract from its shallow gameplay.”
    • “Even though there are no real graphics here, it shows that the developers put in a lot of effort in making the game immersive.”
    • “The cutscenes were a bit meh, but the UI is nice.”
  • emotional16 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing a deep investment in the narrative and character experiences, likening it to engaging mystery and spy genres. While some found the emotional beats impactful and even tear-jerking, others criticized the pacing and lack of character development, which diminished the emotional weight of certain moments. Overall, the game successfully evokes strong feelings, leaving players both thrilled and reflective.

    • “I haven't been so emotionally invested in a short game since Papers, Please.”
    • “The whole emotional rollercoaster honestly made my night worth the 11 pounds in my currency; I would highly recommend it. Please make a number 2, longer.”
    • “This game was amazing. I am not understating when I say I cried at the twist with Evan. I felt guilty when Alexandra died because of me. This game made me question everything, and I love it for that. The dev team should be congratulated.”
  • grinding8 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while the story and puzzle elements are engaging, the gameplay can feel slow and tedious, particularly during non-interactive segments. Some users noted that the repetitive nature of certain tasks may require significant time investment, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, the game balances moments of tension with stretches of grind, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “It can be a bit grindy sometimes, but the rewards make it worth it.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding, but the sense of achievement is incredible.”
    • “Game play is slow and tedious, not being able to skip anything.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The parts in between gameplay where 'The Operator' isn't behind his computer are tedious, and you really aren't looking at anything except for some blurry outlines of lighting... you're basically just staring at your screen for a few minutes with some background noise.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its strong optimization, providing a smooth and enjoyable experience. However, some users noted that while the performance is generally good, it may not be particularly impressive compared to other titles.

    • “1000/10 game, one of the best games I've played in a while. 100% worth the money; it's really optimized and just a fun game that makes you scratch your head a lot and will give you anxiety, especially with the bomb.”
    • “With fantastic writing and performances, great attention to detail, and suspenseful vibes reminiscent of X-Files meets CSI, the storytelling through cross-examinations on computer terminals, dreamy bokeh, and immaculate sound design is oh so effective.”
    • “It hits all the right notes, but the performance isn't inspiring.”
    • “The game is visually stunning, but the frame rate drops ruin the experience.”
    • “Despite its potential, the optimization issues make it nearly unplayable at times.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Reviewers express a desire for more branching storylines and character development through dialogue choices, suggesting that additional short cases could enhance the experience without overwhelming it. They also highlight the positive aspects of voice acting and character designs, indicating that these elements contribute to the overall appeal of the characters.

    • “There was also good voice acting and character designs.”
    • “Would it be cool if there were some branching storylines with different endings or character development as you choose different dialogue choices?”
    • “It didn't need too much more so that it runs the aforementioned risk of becoming stale, but a few more short cases for character development wouldn't have hurt.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The humor in the game is somewhat limited, with some reviewers noting a lack of comedic elements reminiscent of "The X-Files." However, "Home Safety Hotline" introduces a surreal and fantastical tone that incorporates moments of humor, providing a contrast to the more suspenseful and thrilling aspects of the gameplay.

    • “While the operator builds on suspense, thrill, and high-stake moments, Home Safety Hotline is surreal, fantastical, and even a little bit humorous.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy has been criticized as a potential cash grab, with players feeling misled by unclear advertising that suggests a different gameplay experience than what is delivered, particularly in terms of the game's length and narrative style.

    • “I honestly thought the game was just starting when it ended, but it was setting up for a sequel (cash grab at this price).”
    • “- Unclear advertisement (detective game vs. very story-driven, more of a visual novel).”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game has notable stability issues, with users reporting multiple bugs and instances of softlocking. Players are advised to adhere strictly to the game's intended sequence of actions, as deviating from it can lead to significant setbacks, including the need to restart their progress.

    • “Finally, the game is a bit buggy and softlocks in multiple places - I recommend you follow what the game expects you to do in the exact order it likes, as getting ahead of yourself, either through experimentation or actual foreknowledge, can potentially end your entire run and you'll have to start over.”
    • “Kind of buggy.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

Buy The Operator

Play time

4hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
3-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 32 analyzed playthroughs

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