Beholder Review Summary

Complex and interesting choices: Players are faced with a variety of complex and interesting choices that significantly impact the story and characters. These choices are not just binary but offer a range of outcomes, making the gameplay more engaging and thought-provoking.

Thought-provoking moral dilemmas: The game presents players with complex moral choices that challenge their ethics and values. These dilemmas are deeply integrated into the gameplay, making players question their decisions and the consequences that follow.

Unique art style and graphics: The game features a unique and stylish art design that complements its dark and dystopian themes. The visuals are not only aesthetically pleasing but also enhance the overall atmosphere and immersion of the game.

Engaging and immersive atmosphere: The game's dark and oppressive atmosphere, combined with its graphics and music, creates a tense and immersive experience. The dystopian setting is well-crafted, drawing players into its world and enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

Challenging and rewarding gameplay: The game offers a challenging experience that requires players to make difficult decisions and manage various tasks. The complexity and depth of the gameplay make it rewarding and satisfying for those who invest time and effort.

Bugs and technical issues: The game suffers from various bugs and technical issues, including game freezing, script errors, and translation problems. These issues can disrupt the gameplay experience and lead to frustration.

Lack of guidance and unclear objectives: The game often lacks clear guidance and objectives, leaving players unsure of what to do next. This can lead to confusion and a sense of being lost within the game world.

Repetitive and grindy gameplay: The gameplay can become repetitive and grindy, especially when replaying for different choices. This repetitiveness can lead to a tedious and frustrating experience, making the game feel more like a chore than an enjoyable activity.

Translation and localization issues: The game has various translation and localization issues, which can lead to confusion and a less immersive experience for non-English speaking players.

Disappointing DLC and second part: The DLC and the second part of the game are often considered disappointing and not as enjoyable as the main game. This can lead to a letdown for players expecting a continued high-quality experience.

Surveillance and reporting mechanics: Players are required to monitor tenants, install cameras, and report suspicious activities to the authorities. This includes spying on tenants, reading their diaries, and gathering information to fill out reports.

Totalitarian society setting: The game is set in a dystopian, totalitarian society where players must navigate the complexities of living under an oppressive regime. This includes dealing with government directives, surveillance, and the moral implications of their actions.

Family and resource management: Managing the needs of your family and tenants is crucial. Players must balance financial resources, time, and moral decisions to ensure the survival and well-being of their family while dealing with tenant demands.

Moral choices and consequences: The game revolves around making moral choices that significantly impact the storyline and characters. Players often face dilemmas where every decision has a moral cost and consequences, affecting the fate of their family and tenants.

Multiple endings and pathways: The game features multiple endings and various pathways based on the player's choices and actions. This variability encourages replayability and exploration of different moral and strategic decisions.

Performance and stability issues: The game experiences various performance problems, including freezing, numerous bugs, and stability issues. Some players report that their game progress cannot be continued due to scripted saves, and there are mentions of overheating and battery drain on notebooks.

Slow animations and interactions: During multiple playthroughs, players have noticed that animations and interactions feel slow. This can detract from the overall gaming experience and may need optimization.

Highly recommended for story and atmosphere: The game is frequently praised for its strong storytelling, emotional impact, and atmospheric experience. Many reviewers recommend it for those who enjoy deep narratives, moral dilemmas, and dystopian themes.

Worth playing on sale: Several reviews mention that the game is worth playing, especially when purchased at a discounted price. The game is often on sale with significant discounts, making it a good value for money.

Recommended for fans of choice-driven games: The game is recommended for those who enjoy games with complex choices, multiple endings, and high replayability. It appeals to players who appreciate moral challenges and strategic gameplay.

Caution for perfectionists: Perfectionists should approach the game with caution, as it may not meet their high standards due to its scripted nature and specific gameplay mechanics.

Full localization and cloud saves: The game features full localization and cloud saves, which are appreciated by players for accessibility and convenience.

Steam Deck: The overall experience of playing the game on Steam Deck is positive, with many users reporting that it works well. However, there are notable issues with control precision and readability of text, which can detract from the experience. Minor technical issues were also reported but had a low impact overall.

Monetization: The reviews for Beholder and its DLC, Blissful Sleep, are generally positive with some criticisms. Users appreciate the unique premise and dark atmosphere of the game but find the gameplay repetitive and the save system frustrating. The DLC receives mixed reviews; some users find it essential for completing the game's lore, while others feel it adds little to the overall experience. However, the positive feedback on the DLC's content and value is notable.

External guides: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant issues with the game's difficulty, reliance on external guides, repetitive gameplay mechanics, and economic pressure. These factors collectively contribute to a frustrating user experience, particularly for those who prefer to play without external assistance.

Award-winning cult game with DLC: The game has received awards and achieved a cult status among players. It also offers additional content through DLC, with a game size of up to 5 GB.

Low system requirements and easy: The game can run on low-end PCs, often referred to as 'potato PCs,' and is known for its easy difficulty level, making it accessible to a wide range of players.