Orwell: Keeping an Eye on You

This is a game where your goal isn't to win so much as it is to think seriously about what it is you're doing. Orwell: Keeping an Eye on You makes players weigh the pros and cons of increased security and decreased privacy. Acting as a government agent with the means of tapping into conversations of private citizens gives you the ability to learn more about suspects, then use that information to nip potential terrorist threats in the bud. But what happens if we misinterpret what we see and hear? The lives of innocent people may be destroyed. As the investigator, players have a surprising amount of power in deciding what is and isn't important by, say, choosing to note that a suspect is using a prescription medication for a mental health issue. Even an agent dedicated to doing good can unintentionally ruin a citizen's life. But can you live with the accidental destruction of one person if, in the end, a much greater tragedy is thwarted? These are the timely questions Orwell wants us to think about, without coddling the player with clear and ready answers.

The social commentary is compelling, but how does it play? The writing's sharp and authentic. News stories and web site articles are just long enough to feel informative and useful. Text conversations and social media posts feel authentic, complete with typos and private talk, often making the player feel icky for listening in. But where Orwell runs into problems is putting everything together. Players will feel like proper investigators as they make decisions and follow leads, but there are times when figuring out how it all works, knowing what to do next, and connecting the dots doesn't feel intuitive. Orwell: Keeping an Eye on You is a seductive treat for thoughtful players looking for something meaty to sink their teeth into, but getting the most out of it requires a shift away from the traditional focus on winning towards something a little more cerebral.