The original Beholder grabbed a ton of attention, and was featured on Metacritic’s 100 Most Talked About Games of 2016 list, and one of the 8 finalists of GDC’s Best in Play 2017, so the sequel has definitely been, what some people call, "eagerly anticipated". We enjoyed the title when we reviewed it, with our reviewer praising its setting, atmosphere and graphics, but knocking points off for the amount of trial and error and spotty localization. Here's what we had to say in our review:
"The most impressive thing about Beholder is how it really manages to draw you into its dense, even oppressive atmosphere. It’s a dystopian world where you’re constantly forced to make a choice between your own economic and social wellbeing and your basic humanity. It compels you to do some really not nice things: steal from elderly gentlemen, eavesdrop on young ladies, kill folks or let them die – and more often than not all your efforts and moral compromises are in vain, and you still fail to ensure that you and your family survive."
In the Beholder 2, you assume the role of a newly employed department officer within the Ministry of a totalitarian State. While you are a shoe-in for an illustrious career (and possibly even becoming Prime Minister someday), the way up won't be easy and snitches and the gestapo-like police are around every corner. It's up to you to watch your own ass and climb as high as you can.
The game is packing hard Orwellian themes, and personally, I believe that Evgeny Sister, the producer at Alawar Premium says it best;
"Beholder 2 shows another side to the Orwellian dystopia – 'The Ministry.' While we continued to stick with rich stories, moral choices and multiple endings -- this time we've ramped up on the overall absurdity."
