At the end of each year, I compile a list of games I want to play over the coming twelve months. One of the games I was looking forward to playing this year was Observation, created by Glasgow-based No Code and published by Devolver Digital Studios. It was an intriguing concept where instead of playing the main character Dr. Emma Fischer you instead play as the onboard artificial intelligence SAM (Systems Administration and Maintenance). Observation is the first game I have purchased on Epic Games, the next one is likely going to be John Wick Hex when it is released later this year.
For any of those who read my games reviews on a regular basis, you will know that this is the point where I take about food. Sometimes it's a food I like other times not so much, I then use a food analogy to help describe the kind of game it was or could be. This time I...I don't have one. Not because I'm out of food ideas but I just can't come up with one that would satisfy my thoughts and feelings on the game. So, for the first time since I starting writing games reviews this time, there will be no food analogy.
Story
The story takes place aboard the space station 'Observation'. Dr. Emma Fisher has woken up to find that they are no longer orbiting Earth. Instead, it seems that Observation is a tad off course. What exactly is a tad? Give or take about 750 million miles. Naturally enough Emma is a little freaked out and can't seem to reach any of her colleagues on board. Strangely though while the story follows Dr. Fisher you don't play as her. Instead, you play as SAM on the onboard artificial intelligence. SAM's mission is to help Emma find out what happened and how to get back home. However, that is going to be tougher than she could have ever imagined.
Overall the story is fantastic from beginning to end. Playing as an AI was inspired and isn't like anything I have ever played before or am likely to in the near future.
Visuals
The game's visuals are both stunning and different. Obviously being an Artificial Intelligence you don't have a body to walk around in, instead, you use the station's cameras. When switching from cameras there is feedback and distortion for a moment giving the feeling of actually switching between cameras. The visuals reminded me of those in Arkane Studio's Prey 2017, they look lifelike and is easy to forget that you are playing a game and not watching a movie or actual camera. They're a number of nice small details in the game I liked; pictures of the crew, personal belongings, tools littered around the place.
Overall the visuals in Observation are stunning and helping to create a realistic and claustrophobic environment.
Music
There is not much in the way of music in the game, a lot of it are the ambient sounds of the space station, but sometimes that's enough. The music is composed by Omar Khan who previously did the soundtrack for Stories Untold also by No Code. The intro track is composed by Nine Inch Nails guitarist Robin Finick. The intro track has this industrial, rock, machine kind of sound which is unnerving and perfect for this kind of game.
I was unable to find anywhere I could listen to the soundtrack, which makes sense considering most of it is background with the exception of Robin Finick's intro. The sounds used in the game can be sometimes haunting and help create a feeling of isolation.
Gameplay
Wow. Where do I begin? I have never played an AI in a game and can't imagine it something I will see too often or ever. Initially, the game has SAM quite restricted in his movement, some of the cameras are not working and some of the power is out. With a little help from Emma, she helps give you access to the entire station. SAM's user interface comprises of; a communications system, map of the station where you can move between cameras, station alerts and the memory module. SAM's memory module is damaged and by finding schematics, documents and accessing laptops you can slowly rebuild yourself.
The gameplay is can be best summed as being an adventure-puzzle game. While you will be provided with objectives your hand won't be held through the process and you will need figure things out yourself. The puzzles are interesting and while a few times I got stuck I just need to think a little until the little light bulb turned on over my head.
The gameplay itself felt massively rewarding and while it could be easy to dismiss a SAM as just being an Artificial Intelligence he is so much more. By the end of my time playing, I felt there was a real bond between SAM and Emma.
Final Thoughts
So, after around eight hours of playing how did I feel? Excited, moved, connected in a way I have not felt in a long time. The story is amazing and is not how I saw it playing out at all. The visuals are strong and interesting, the sounds and music in the game may be used sparingly but were used perfectly. The gameplay was unique and challenging and help provide a real reward feeling. Observation is not only a fantastic game but has now become my favorite game of the year so far, this one gets a solid 5 out of 5
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