An unusual adventure game developed by independent studio Deconstructeam. The title focuses on moral dilemmas and the necessity of making choices. During the game, the players control humans that face hard life situations. Their decisions can impact the fate of many people. The player will for example assume the role of a terrorist who must guard a group of hostages or a scientist who has 48 hours to develop an antidote for a deadly virus.
Gods Will Be Watching for PC and iOS is an extraordinary adventure game created by a Spanish studio Deconstructeam. It is a commercial successor of the well received free production from 2013 that was created during the twenty sixth edition of the Ludum Dare competition.
Plot
The game focuses on hard choices and moral dilemmas. The players will face series of situations during which their decisions can impact the fate of whole groups of people. The developers prepared a large set of unique scenarios which present various hypothetical trouble situations. In one of them the player assumes the role of a terrorist tasked with controlling a group of hostages. He must keep high fear level of the employees of a medical laboratory while making sure that they won’t panic. During other scenario players controls a group of scientists infected with a deadly virus who have 48 hours to create an antidote. Another challenge requires surviving 20 days of torture and so on.
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Mechanics
There are six varied scenarios in Gods Will be Watching for PC and iOS. Each of them offers different characters with unique abilities. The gameplay focuses on solving puzzles and interacting with characters and with the surrounding. The game is highly non-linear and many paths can lead to success. Each challenge offers different puzzles and requires different approach. A highly advanced artificial intelligence system makes the game very dynamic. Characters react realistically to changing situation and their current mental state affects how the situation plays out.
In Gods Will Be Watching, however, its rare successes are overshadowed by an abundance of design decisions that are not only frustrating to play, but actively undermine any cohesion the story attempts to salvage.
Narrative Depth: Many users praised the game's intense and morally complex narrative. The story challenges players to make difficult decisions that affect the fate of characters, leading to thought-provoking moral dilemmas.
Unique Gameplay Experience: The game is described as a unique blend of resource management and narrative-driven gameplay, diverging from traditional point-and-click adventure mechanics. Players appreciated the emotional weight and existential themes.
Aesthetic Appeal: The pixel art style and atmospheric soundtrack received positive feedback, contributing to the overall immersive experience of the game.
Character Development: Some reviews highlighted strong character work and storytelling, especially in later chapters, which added depth to the gameplay experience.
Replayability: The game’s design encourages multiple playthroughs, as players are expected to learn from their failures and make different choices in subsequent attempts.
The main cons of the game
High Difficulty and Frustration: A common complaint was the game's brutal difficulty, which many found to be excessively punishing. The reliance on RNG (random number generation) mechanics led to feelings of unfairness and frustration.
Misleading Marketing: Several users felt that the game was misrepresented as a point-and-click adventure, leading to unmet expectations regarding gameplay style and mechanics.
Tedious Gameplay: Some players described the gameplay as repetitive and tedious, particularly during longer levels where the challenge felt more like busywork than engaging gameplay.
Lack of Feedback: Players noted that the game often provided insufficient feedback on actions and decisions, making it challenging to understand how to succeed.
Not for Everyone: The game's emotional weight and challenging mechanics may not appeal to players looking for a more traditional or enjoyable gaming experience.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
Better Balancing: Many users expressed a desire for improved balance in difficulty, suggesting that the game could benefit from a more forgiving approach to allow for a more enjoyable experience.
Clearer Mechanics: Some players felt that clearer explanations of game mechanics and consequences would enhance understanding and reduce frustration.
More Variety in Gameplay: A few reviews mentioned a lack of variety in gameplay elements, suggesting that additional mechanics or features could enhance engagement and reduce repetitiveness.
Stat Tracking: Some users lamented the removal of statistics servers, which they felt were crucial for tracking progress and enhancing the gameplay experience.
Summary
In summary, "Gods Will Be Watching" is a polarizing game that is appreciated for its narrative depth and aesthetic but criticized for its high difficulty and potential for frustration. It offers a unique experience that challenges players' moral decisions, but it may not resonate with those seeking a more traditional gaming experience.
![[1:15] launch trailer](https://cdn.gracza.pl/galeria/filmy/640x360/521693520.jpg)
