Info about Beholder:

Official game description:
Welcome to a grim dystopian future.  
A totalitarian State controls every aspect of private and public life.  
Laws are oppressive. Surveillance is total. Privacy is dead.  
You are the State-installed manager of an apartment building. Your daily routine involves making the building a sweet spot for tenants, who will come and go. However, that is simply a facade that hides your real mission...  
Your primary task is to covertly watch your tenants and eavesdrop on their conversations. You must BUG their apartments while they're away, SEARCH their belongings for whatever can threaten the authority of the State, and PROFILE them for your superiors. You must also REPORT anyone capable of violating the laws or plotting subversive activities against the State to the authorities.  
You are a cog in a totalitarian machine with your own family who also has needs. Do you cling to your humanity and cover up your tenants? Or do you survive by staying loyal to the regime? The choice is yours.  
You can report the suspicious activities of a father but orphan his children. Or you can withhold the details about his illegal activities and give him a chance to make things right? Or you can blackmail him to earn something your family.  
As you play the game, you'll interact with many characters and complete dozens of quests. You'll also make decisions that will affect the way the story unfolds. This will lead to one of several game endings - the ending you have earned!

Release date: Nov 9, 2016

Categories: Surveillance Gameplay, Moral Decision-Making, Resource Management, Narrative Adventure, Multiple Endings, Character Interaction, Dystopian Setting, Family Management

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 20; verdict: Mixed but Leaning Positive; summary: 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.
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: Needs Improvement; summary: 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.
- Steam Deck: score 30; verdict: Playable with Minor Issues; summary: 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.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Complex and interesting choices (weight 0.71): 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 (weight 0.69): 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 (weight 0.51): 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 (weight 0.4): 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 (weight 0.2): 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.
- Positive reception of DLC (weight 0.18): The game's DLC is well-received, offering additional content that maintains the quality and engagement of the original game. Players appreciate the expanded storylines and new characters introduced in the DLC.
- Good optimization and performance (weight 0.18): The game is well-optimized and runs smoothly, providing a seamless gaming experience. This technical proficiency ensures that players can enjoy the game without encountering significant issues or disruptions.
- Emotional engagement with characters (weight 0.15): The game's characters are well-developed and emotionally engaging, making players invested in their stories and outcomes. The narrative is designed to evoke strong emotional responses, adding depth to the gameplay experience.
- Worth the price and time (weight 0.14): The game is considered a valuable purchase due to its rich content, engaging gameplay, and high replayability. Players feel that the game justifies its cost and the time invested in it, making it a worthwhile experience.
- Philosophical and inspirational themes (weight 0.08): The game explores deep philosophical themes and offers an inspirational experience. It encourages players to reflect on their choices and the broader implications of their actions, adding a layer of depth to the narrative.
- Unique and innovative mechanics (weight 0.07): The game introduces unique and innovative mechanics that set it apart from other games in the genre. These mechanics, such as surveillance and blackmail, add a fresh and engaging dimension to the gameplay.
- Cultural and contextual relevance (weight 0.07): The game captures the spirit and context of specific cultural settings, making it relatable and engaging for players familiar with those contexts. This relevance adds an extra layer of immersion and authenticity to the gameplay experience.

Common complaints:
- Bugs and technical issues (weight 0.34): 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 (weight 0.32): 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 (weight 0.25): 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 (weight 0.2): 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 (weight 0.06): 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.
- Limited variability and lack of freshness (weight 0.05): The game lacks true variability in gameplay and can feel repetitive. This lack of freshness can lead to a monotonous and less engaging experience.

Gameplay feedback:
- Surveillance and reporting mechanics (weight 0.95): 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 (weight 0.92): 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 (weight 0.91): 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 (weight 0.85): 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 (weight 0.85): 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.
- Blackmailing and corruption (weight 0.84): Blackmailing tenants and engaging in corrupt practices are key mechanics. Players can choose to blackmail tenants for personal gain or report them to the authorities, affecting the storyline and character relationships.
- Time management and daily survival (weight 0.81): Players must manage their time effectively to complete tasks, gather resources, and make decisions that impact their survival and the well-being of their family and tenants.
- Difficult gameplay and challenges (weight 0.8): The game is known for its challenging gameplay, requiring players to make tough decisions under pressure. The difficulty level can be high, especially in certain modes like 'Elite Gossaparata'.
- Character death and consequences (weight 0.79): The game features mechanics where characters can die based on the player's decisions. These deaths have significant consequences and can alter the storyline and endings.
- Additional content and DLC (weight 0.72): The game includes additional content and DLC that provide more storylines, endings, and gameplay mechanics, enhancing the overall experience and replayability.
- Criticism of socialism (weight 0.03): The game includes themes and narratives that critique socialist and totalitarian regimes, providing a commentary on the societal and political structures within the game's setting.
- Interactive novel-like experience (weight 0.02): The game offers an experience similar to an interactive novel, with a strong narrative focus and a simple gameplay loop that emphasizes story and character development.
- Gameplay mechanics and issues (weight 0.02): Some players have noted that the gameplay can feel incomplete or illogical in certain aspects, which may affect the overall experience and immersion.

Performance notes:
- Performance and stability issues (weight 0.08): 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 (weight 0.01): During multiple playthroughs, players have noticed that animations and interactions feel slow. This can detract from the overall gaming experience and may need optimization.

Recommendations:
- Highly recommended for story and atmosphere (weight 0.31): 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 (weight 0.29): 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 (weight 0.29): 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 (weight 0.04): 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 (weight 0.02): The game features full localization and cloud saves, which are appreciated by players for accessibility and convenience.
- Blissful Sleep DLC recommended (weight 0.02): Reviewers suggest playing the game with the 'Blissful Sleep' DLC, indicating that it enhances the overall experience.
- Worth multiple playthroughs (weight 0.01): The game is considered worth playing multiple times due to its high replayability and different outcomes based on choices made.
- Easier money and missions in practice mode (weight 0.01): Some reviewers suggest that it should be easier to get money and missions in practice mode to improve the gaming experience.

Other player notes:
- Award-winning cult game with DLC (weight 0.03): 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 (weight 0.02): 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.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.13): Players experience frustration due to a variety of gameplay issues, including bugs, poor controls, and repetitive mechanics. The game's high difficulty, financial struggles, and time management mechanics also contribute to this frustration, as players often find themselves overwhelmed by the complexity and number of problems they need to solve within tight deadlines.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.09): Players enjoy the game's engaging plot, unique setting, and dynamic gameplay. The multiple endings and moral choices add to the fun, making the game highly replayable and immersive.
- Engagement (weight 0.07): The game's complex storyline, moral dilemmas, and strategic gameplay keep players engaged. The emotional attachment to characters and the weight of one's actions contribute to a deeply involving experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.06): Players are excited by the game's tense and engaging gameplay, interesting characters, and multiple endings. The impact of choices on the plot and the unique game mechanics add to the thrill.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.05): Players feel satisfied with the game's unique atmosphere, strong story, and emotionally impactful choices. The variability in endings and the realization that the purchase was worth it contribute to this satisfaction.
- Disappointment (weight 0.04): Players feel disappointed due to the lack of meaningful moral choices and the game's dark world. The difficulty in being a good person and the unrealistic illegal actions also contribute to this disappointment.
- Interest (weight 0.04): The game's unique situations, moral decisions, and goal-based system with multiple approaches piques players' interest. The complexity and decision-making aspects keep players intrigued.
- Joy (weight 0.03): Players experience joy from the fun gameplay and positive experiences with the game's visuals and voice acting. The overall enjoyable gameplay contributes to this feeling.
- Stress (weight 0.02): The game's high difficulty, constant threats, and the need to make tough decisions create a stressful experience. The emotional impact of the game's narrative and the increasingly stressful gameplay loop add to this stress.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Players are amused by the dark humor, absurd situations, and humorous game mechanics. The genuine comedy and ironic moments in the game contribute to this amusement.
- Sadness (weight 0.02): Players feel sadness due to the tragic events in the game, such as the death of family members. The emotional impact of these events contributes to this feeling.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Players appreciate the game's unique atmosphere, replayability, and well-crafted mechanics. The strong story and interesting gameplay aspects contribute to this appreciation.
- Guilt (weight 0.02): Players feel guilt due to the game's moral dilemmas and tough choices. Making difficult moral choices that affect the lives of the tenants contributes to this feeling.
- Tension (weight 0.01): The game's atmosphere of constant surveillance and pressure creates tension. The moral dilemmas and difficult choices add to this feeling of tension.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Players admire the game's well-crafted world, atmosphere, and skilled writing. The game's unique premise and stylish design contribute to this admiration.
- Fear (weight 0.01): The game's atmosphere of oppression, surveillance, and fear creates a sense of fear in players. The unforgettable emotions of fear and despair contribute to this feeling.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Players feel confused due to the game's confusing gameplay mechanics and translation issues. The unclear objectives and awkward phrasing add to this confusion.
- Nostalgic (weight 0.01): Players feel nostalgic due to the game's lasting quality and memorable experiences. The game's age and its impact on players over the years contribute to this nostalgia.
- Frustrated (weight 0.01): Players feel frustrated due to the game's time management issues and repetitive gameplay. The unpredictability and consequences of decisions add to this frustration.}