Retake your life in this 2D sim

Beholder 3 is a premium 2D strategy game that puts you in the shoes of a normal guy caught in the machinations of a totalitarian state. This point-and-click adventure will let you experience being a spy for the government — rat out co-workers, break into tenants’ apartments, and report enemies of the state. 

Its premise leaves you to court the favor of the government while finding a way to rise through the ranks – ultimately wielding power for yourself. Beholder 3 continues the 1984-esque experience started by Beholder a few years back. Visually speaking, it feels like a Hollow Knight game in a modern setting.

Experience life under Big Brother

In Beholder 3, you live in a totalitarian regime, bringing a vivid visualization of George Orwell’s novel 1984 to life. In this masterpiece from Paintbucket Games, you play Frank Schwarz. An everyday father framed for false charges, he turns into a government spy to exact revenge and reclaims his life. The game, however, offers multiple paths for you to take, allowing for great replayability.

Visually speaking, it looks like the 2D Flash-based video games of the previous decades, particularly those hosted on the Newgrounds website. It has a mix of silhouette characters identifiable by unique clothing items like neckties or hairdos, which contrasts with the realistic and colorful backgrounds. This design choice helps emphasize the colorful life on the surface yet the distrust and deception that seems inherent among everyone–adding tension in the process.

Also, despite offering a save/ load mechanism, it’s hard to get the ending you like. Some decision choices look inconsequential, then come back to bite you when you least expect it. This makes the game exceptionally challenging and it’s where this game surpasses its predecessors. The addition of different factions will also ensure that a small slip-up can cost you your entire game, be careful.

A totalitarian masterpiece

By capturing the tension of living under constant surveillance, Beholder 3 manages to become more thrilling than most horror-survival titles. It has a gripping story that drives the story and helps justify your actions. Even its unique 2D art style helps convey that suspense. Remember to be always careful, though, as early game decisions can affect the late game, but by then it’s too late. Highly recommended.