As a seasoned gamer with countless hours logged into various genres, I approached The Operator with a sense of curiosity and anticipation. The unique blend of FMV titles and desk-jockey simulations piqued my interest, and I was eager to dive into the world of Evan Tanner and his really bad day.
Evan Tanner is experiencing a particularly challenging day. In truth, “The Operator” by indie developer Bureau 81 could just as well have been titled “Evan Tanner’s Difficult Day,” and I would have found that name fitting. As the newest team member in the FDI’s “Operator Program,” Tanner functions primarily as an analyst, working from a desk at headquarters and delivering real-time intelligence to field agents.
Immediately, The Operator presents itself as unique and distinct. It’s a fusion of FMV (Full Motion Video) games like Telling Lies and desk-based simulators such as 911 Operator. The experience commences with a call from an old friend, FDI Director Trench, who entrusts Evan with assisting Agent Pendell in solving a perplexing murder case. All interactions occur through Evan’s work computer, featuring fully-voiced phone conversations with contacts, associates, and adversaries. Although Evan remains silent, your dialogue selections can influence how individuals react to you.
You’ll encounter several decisions to make in the story with significant impacts. I’m unsure of my mistakes, except for instances where my actions led to an ally’s demise. My ending was dismal, to say the least. The intrigue lies in how the tale could evolve based on your choices and abilities.
Among the characters you’ll encounter are Agent Walker, a rugged Texan FDI agent with a no-nonsense demeanor, Agent Katherine Andrews, and your immediate supervisor, Xavier Skinner. Additionally, there are several key adversaries, such as HAL – an arrogant, destructive computer hacker pursuing their own objectives. The interconnected actions of these characters and yourself contribute to a captivating mystery with a compelling narrative flow that had me hooked. Despite anticipating some plot twists, the story managed to catch me off guard in other aspects.
In The Operator, each task feels significant and varied. You’ll be asked to decrypt files, analyze poor-quality video footage, listen to audio logs, and examine images for hidden clues. At times, you may need to identify chemical compounds or disarm explosives. A unique aspect of this game is that not many tasks are repeated throughout the brief four-hour campaign. While this keeps things interesting, it might take some time to grasp new skills only to rarely use them again.
The game provides ample guidance from NPCs, giving you an extra hand yet not too overbearing. However, the sense of accomplishment when you recall an earlier detail to unravel a puzzle, such as finding a suspect’s address through an image with a name tag and then searching for them in the database, is what makes this game an excellent mystery experience for me. Occasionally, I encountered moments that required significant mental effort, leaving me momentarily puzzled until I recalled previous cases or clues.
When I blundered near the close of the tale and inadvertently brought about the demise of one of my allies, I was met with an unpleasant sensation. Regrettably, I had the opportunity to prevent this tragedy by taking my time and carefully considering my options, but instead opted for hasty action and disastrous consequences. Consequently, the narrative took a turn for the worse, culminating in a bleak conclusion for all parties involved.
In a narrative puzzle game genre, The Operator offers an engaging experience. It strikes a good balance between challenge and solvability, never leaving you feeling hopelessly stuck yet not overly simplistic. The game’s unique features, such as logging in as Evan daily with his predetermined name and password, add intriguing depth. The mystery is captivating, with a Roswell-like conspiracy and a villain reminiscent of Dean Koontz novels. Completing it within one or two sessions might be a pro or con, depending on personal preference. Despite being unlike the games I typically play, The Operator managed to keep me fully invested throughout.
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2024-07-22 17:16