{"id":1307,"date":"2018-12-10T11:20:47","date_gmt":"2018-12-10T10:20:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-beholder-complete-edition\/"},"modified":"2025-05-09T13:12:53","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T11:12:53","slug":"review-beholder-complete-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-beholder-complete-edition\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Beholder \u2013 Complete Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever considered the implications of working for an organization akin to the Stasi<\/a>, engaging in surveillance within a totalitarian regime? If the premise of observing and reporting on others intrigues you, then Beholder: Complete Edition<\/strong> offers a compelling, albeit unsettling, experience.  <\/span><\/p>\n

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Beholder: Complete Edition<\/strong><\/em> unfolds within the confines of a totalitarian state, where dissent is met with swift and severe punishment. Players assume the role of Carl, a landlord residing in the basement of an apartment building. While ostensibly the building’s caretaker, Carl’s true purpose is to surveil the tenants. This involves clandestine activities such as breaking into apartments, installing hidden cameras, and meticulously searching belongings for evidence of subversive behavior. All findings are reported to the ministry; accurate intelligence yields rewards, while unfavorable reports can result in dire consequences for Carl and his family.  <\/span><\/p>\n

This game presented a challenge for me. While many Steam users appear to endorse Beholder<\/em>, as evidenced by the positive reviews on Steam<\/a>, it ultimately failed to resonate with my personal preferences.  <\/span><\/p>\n

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Initially, I will acknowledge the game’s strengths: its bleak aesthetic, intriguing character designs, and detailed environments. Beholder: Complete Edition<\/em> boasts a distinct visual style that effectively establishes a sense of unease and intrigue.<\/p>\n

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My expectation for video games is generally relaxation, an aspect that Beholder<\/em> struggled to deliver. The gameplay felt frustratingly opaque. Initially, I encountered difficulties in properly reporting tenants. Despite believing I had followed protocol, the authorities apprehended and imprisoned Carl. Subsequent attempts, involving more thorough investigation and cautious reporting, yielded the same unfavorable outcome, necessitating external consultation for guidance.<\/p>\n

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The control scheme felt cumbersome. Navigating menus often resulted in the cursor unexpectedly jumping back to the initial option. The interface suggests a design optimized for mouse or touch input. Curiously, the touch display functionality is absent in the Switch’s portable mode, despite Beholder’s<\/em> availability on both iOS and Android platforms. Visually, however, the game performs adequately in both console and handheld configurations.<\/p>\n

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Ultimately, Beholder<\/em> failed to provide an enjoyable experience. I will not be revisiting the core game or exploring the expansion included in the Complete Edition on Switch. Given its relatively low price point, Beholder<\/em> may appeal to those intrigued by the themes explored. However, the game induced more anxiety and confusion than engagement. The final rating reflects the game’s commendable production values and atmosphere, despite the undersigned’s lack of personal enjoyment.<\/p>\n