by MJDark
Observer was the first game from Bloober Team that truly grabbed my attention. I was aware of the studio before its release, especially after Layers of Fear, but their early work didn’t initially appeal to me. Years later, I eventually played Layers of Fear and its remastered versions, but it was Observer that made me a genuine fan of the studio.
Its dark cyberpunk atmosphere immediately drew me in. Additionally, Blade Runner star Rutger Hauer voices the main character. His performance brings a distinctive presence to protagonist Daniel Lazarski. This helps elevate the game’s already immersive world.
I have now played Observer three times across different platforms. This includes the original Nintendo Switch, the PC version of System Redux, and now the upgraded Nintendo Switch 2 version. So, what exactly is Observer, and why should you care?
The Story: A Dystopian Detective Mystery
The best way I can describe Observer is as a blend of Blade Runner, Cyberpunk 2077, and Johnny Mnemonic.
You play as Daniel Lazarski, a detective known as an “Observer.” In this dystopian future, Observers are government-sanctioned investigators capable of hacking directly into people’s minds in the name of Chiron, the powerful corporation that has effectively taken control of Poland.
This world is also suffering from a digital plague known as the Nanophage. As people increasingly replace parts of their bodies with cybernetic implants, many begin experiencing rejection of their enhancements. The result is a deadly illness that drives victims into madness before ultimately killing them.
The story begins with Daniel receiving a mysterious phone call from his estranged son, Adam, whom he hasn’t seen in years. Tracing the call to a rundown apartment complex in District C, Daniel arrives hoping to find answers. Instead, he discovers a corpse inside Adam’s apartment. From there, the mystery unfolds as you investigate what happened and whether Adam is still alive.
The narrative is one of Observer’s strongest elements. It masterfully combines detective work, psychological horror, and cyberpunk themes to create a story that kept me invested from beginning to end.
Gameplay: Investigation Over Action
Like many of Bloober Team’s games, Observer: System Redux is a first-person, story-driven psychological horror experience. There is no traditional combat, so do not expect action-heavy gameplay. Instead, your primary tools are investigative abilities that help you uncover clues and solve crimes.
The game gives you access to three different vision modes:
- Night Vision: Helps you navigate through extremely dark environments.
- Electromagnetic Vision: Functions similarly to Detective Mode from the Batman: Arkham games, highlighting electronic devices, evidence, and important interactive objects.
- Bio Vision: Allows you to detect blood, tissue samples, and other organic evidence that would otherwise be hidden.
Outside of these modes, your movement options are fairly simple. You can walk, run, crouch, and interact with objects throughout the environment.
The majority of the game takes place within a single apartment complex as you move from room to room uncovering clues, solving puzzles, and progressing the story. Along the way, you will also discover optional side quests that expand the lore of the world and provide additional insight into the lives of its residents.
There are no difficulty settings, and my playthrough lasted roughly 7–9 hours because I took the time to complete the side content.
Graphics & Performance on Nintendo Switch 2
(Note: Review code was provided by Bloober Team.)
Having previously played the original Nintendo Switch version, I can confidently say that Observer: System Redux on Nintendo Switch 2 is a substantial upgrade.
The visual quality is noticeably improved, featuring better lighting, sharper image quality, and a more stable overall presentation. The atmospheric cyberpunk environments benefit greatly from the upgraded hardware, making this version far more immersive than its Switch predecessor.
Performance is generally solid throughout the experience. I did encounter a few frame-rate dips in areas with heavy environmental effects or a lot happening on-screen, but they were relatively minor and did not significantly impact gameplay. Overall, this is easily the best handheld version of Observer available.
Final Thoughts
Even after playing Observer three times across different platforms, it remains one of my favorite games from Bloober Team and the title that made me a fan of the studio.
Its blend of cyberpunk storytelling, psychological horror, and detective gameplay still feels unique years after its original release. The game also tackles themes surrounding technology, corporate power, and humanity’s relationship with artificial intelligence—topics that feel increasingly relevant today.
If you enjoyed Nobody Wants to Die or you are already a fan of Bloober Team’s horror games, Observer: System Redux is absolutely worth experiencing.
Final Score: 7/10
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