This game will make you feel guilty – spy drama now 94% off for under $1
Beholder drops players into a totalitarian regime where the state watches everything – and you're the one helping it do so. You take on the role of Carl Stein, a newly assigned building manager in an oppressive society. Your job is to install surveillance equipment, monitor tenants and report any illegal activity. But the moral lines quickly blur. What if someone is hiding banned books just to read bedtime stories to their child? What if a neighbor is hoarding medicine, not to profit, but to care for a dying spouse?
Every decision in Beholder shapes the story, but there's no clear right or wrong – only consequences. You can choose to serve the state faithfully or quietly resist the regime, yet every path comes at a cost. Choices unfold in real time and often under pressure; while you're speaking with one tenant, others might be up to something suspicious. The game's dark visuals, minimalist art style and ominous soundtrack build a sense of unease that never quite lets up, keeping tension high from start to finish.
Reviews: Strong atmosphere, weak dynamics
The German website 4Players.de praised Beholder for its grim atmosphere, oppressive setting and convincing depiction of life in a surveillance state. The melancholic soundtrack deepens the mood, while the comic-style visuals give the game a distinctive look. Still, Beholder doesn't fully reach its potential in every area. According to the review, choices often feel too black and white, missing the moral complexity that could make decisions more impactful. Dialogue options are limited and many events follow a scripted path, which can make the world feel less dynamic and reactive.
4Players gave Beholder a solid 7.5 out of 10, noting both its strengths and shortcomings. The ratings on Metacritic echo this impression, with a Metascore of 75 and a matching User Score of 7.5. On Steam, however, the game enjoys a much warmer reception – 91% of nearly 20,000 user reviews are positive, highlighting its lasting appeal among players.
94% discount on Steam
Developed by Alawar Stargaze, Beholder launched in November 2016 and usually sells for around $14 on Steam. Until May 12, though, it’s available for just $0.83 thanks to a hefty 94% discount – the biggest price drop the game has ever seen. According to SteamDB, while Beholder has been discounted before, it has never been reduced by more than 90% – until now.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.
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