The Operator

Okay, while I said I liked this game, [b]I think in terms of recommendation, this is more a "maybe" than an outright "yes."[/b] There are several things to consider before you purchase this one, and while I ultimately think you'll enjoy the experience either way, you may be slightly frustrated by at least one or two of these points. I know I was. (-) First, the game is short. It took me less than 4 hours to finish it, and that's with several long cut scenes. Speaking of those cut scenes... pay attention to them. I didn't, because some of them seemed pointless, and that led me to the only time I felt truly stuck in this game LOL. (+) You play as an operator in the FDI, and the entire gameplay involves sitting in front of your computer, connecting dots, and solving puzzles. I absolutely loved it. It was fresh and interesting, and the feeling of things connecting and unraveling was really fun. I actually wish we had more of it—I would've gladly played more hours of more cases, slowly connecting them to this huge conspiracy. It made me hope that someone would make an entire mystery murder game (as opposed to a conspiracy) as "the guy in the chair," slowly unraveling everything and helping the "heroes" solve the mystery. (-/+) For a game that's sitting in front of your computer... the stakes are high and so is the tension. I actually got really anxious at parts, in a way that doesn't really happen with most games because, the way everything is set up, WE are Tenner. So I felt like there was a gun aimed at [i]me[/i] at times, LOL. For me, this was a point in favor of the game, but if you're looking for a more relaxed experience, this may not be it. (-/+) The ending. Personally? Not a fan. Oh, I loved the reveal. The minute [i]I[/i] started connecting the dots, my stomach dropped. 10/10 for that. But everything after that?... I will be playing the next game, if there is one, but overall, [spoiler]I am not really the kind of person to enjoy an "everybody died" ending. After all the brilliant puzzle solving, I wanted these characters to have a good ending. I have seen people talk about how this was actually a good ending - how Hal is still thwarting the organization 30 years later, and that's realistic and optimistic but damn. I got attached to [i]these[/i] characters. I wanted to see them happy, even if we fail to totally crush the bad guys in the end of the game. And I wanted to understand what the goal of the "bad guys" in this game is, and I don't. They're evil people, but... why are they doing what they're doing? No clue. Which is another thing I don't like. For me, a game needs to be able to stand on its own, even if it's part of a larger narrative. [/spoiler] Essentially, this felt like a game meant to [i]set up[/i] another game, and truthfully, I don't like that.

i got this game for free on Epic Games, and then i played it, and felt bad for not paying for it, so i got here and payed for it.. good story, nice puzzles, outstanding characters + sound + character relation buildups. the only cons is that its a short game, 9.5/10

This is an ok story game, but it's definitely not a 'detective' type game like I assumed. It's a railroady, handholdy type game that barely lets you discover anything. If you click the wrong thing it immediately tells you. If you want a short 'walking simulator' type game, where you essentially watch a mystery unfold, then this might be for you. If you're expecting to solve cases, you might want to pass.

Fake Game. It tries to make you think theres branching or hidden information, but its just a linear VN with a very unsatisfying ending.

A fantastic little gem! This is really a classic adventure game in disguise, with some very very clever art direction!

Hello developers, I just finished playing your game on the Switch, and I immediately bought the Steam version to add to my library. The game's atmosphere and narrative pacing really drew me in, and the background music was perfectly fitting. Because of this, I'm happy to leave a positive review, though it also left me with higher expectations. [spoiler] The game is about four hours long, and playing it felt more like watching a movie. However, as a game, it offered too few choices for the player. During my play through, I tried to deliberately not answer the supervisor's calls or even pretended to be a 'good kid' to see if there was a way to betray HAL. But the game didn't give me any more options. I believe that in an interactive story game, player choices and their consequences are its true charm and what keeps players engaged. The bomb disposal segment really stood out. I felt a strong sense of immersion and genuinely enjoyed being able to help someone. It's a shame that, probably due to the game's length, such a brilliant sequence only happened once. The core puzzle was very cleverly designed, and its reveal was absolutely an adrenaline rush. I completely understand what you, as developers, wanted players to feel with that ending—the horror, the profound sense of melancholy, the sadness for the characters, and the lingering regret that a bigger enemy wasn't truly dealt with. However, even after experiencing all that, I still wished players could help the characters achieve a good ending. I truly love these characters. Overall, this is a fantastic game! I really hope to play more from you in the future! [/spoiler]

Cons: * The bomb defusal mission is just nonsensical. While it's obviously designed and written to be deliberately confusing to challenge the player, it is also ridiculous. The supervisor, Skinner, would be handling this, or at least offering assistance, not just casually leaving another agent's life up to a 3rd day employee who is reading the bomb defusal manual for the first time. Was having a good time in the game up until this mission. If you look at this achievement as well, only some ~50% of players have this achievement, and then you have to wonder, of those 50% how many had to look up a walk-through online in order to complete it? * Game was definitely somewhat dry at times where I felt a little bit bored. * I won't spoil any specifics but I will say the ending of the game is...not good, in my opinion. Pros: * UI is clean and easy to use. The applications work smoothly without any issues. * Gameplay is straight forward and easy to understand. * Solid voice acting. * Storytelling is pretty engaging. * Game very stable, zero crashes or bugs / glitches. * No additional DRM beyond Steam. * No Epic Online Services. Gameplay Style: Point and click with some typing here and there related to puzzle solving. This requires some research into files on your in-game computer as well as using the provided tools as well. Game Length: ~5 Hours or thereabouts. Final Rating: 4.5/10. I got the game on sale and puzzle games aren't usually my thing but I wanted to give it a try as it sounded interesting and I like to support indie developers when I can, but this is a game that, despite some story aspects being well-done, the ending soured things for me as well as the bomb defusal mission to the point that I really would not recommend the game to others.

(SPOILERS AHEAD) i had a lot of fun playing this game, up until the very end. wth was that ending?? it just felt like i took 3 hours of my life just to be annoyed that all my work didn't really mean anything. it'd be cool to have that ending only if there was another ending you could get where you actually win. idk... just kinda disappointed. obvi not every game has to have a happy conclusion but like... c'mon.

The ending felt quite underwhelming but I would still definitely recommend it for the unique concept! It's not the first game to use a OS to tell its story but The Operator really delivers. There are so many cool ideas and moments in this and I had a great time playing it (even tho the story was weird at times). Definitely worth a try if you're interested in mystery/deduction games with a OS look! (tho the deduction part is rather light)

oh my god this game is BEAUTIFUL. the voice acting, the use of music, THE STORY!! if you are considering getting this game, PLEASE DOOO.

The concept of the operator is super interesting. But unfortunately there's not a lot to explore and investigate here. We're constantly guided by other characters and told the very thing we need to find, one thing after the next. It's like the game never gets past the tutorial, and it never gets to the point where you get to do more advanced research. This simple game mechanic is not super satisfying. It feels more like a short story turned into a game than a real detective game. It's on a very different level compared to other detective games such as Return of the Obra Dinn, The Roottrees are Dead or The Case of the Golden Idol. It's also very short, I finished it in less than 4 hours and there's no replayability. Also be very careful with the saves, there are save points and you'll lose progress if you don't quit at exactly the right times. On the plus side, the interface is quite well done and the voices are nice (though I'm not sure why it makes my computer boiling hot when the graphics are so simple). I liked the bomb defusing part the most, and it's a shame we can't replay that part again.

the pacing, the story, the SOUNDTRACK... everything is so good and worth every penny. I was able to guess a few plot twists and stuff, but honestly that didn't affect how much I enjoyed the game. 10/10

This game was absolutely amazing. I genuinely think it is one of the best games I have ever played. Originally I had only seen a little snippet of it on youtube, but it FAR exceeded my expectations. Every aspect was polished to perfection and there is literally nothing negative I can say about it. Serious thank you and well done for making this game, it is actually amazing

Fantastic game, very enjoyable. You play as a call-operator for the "FDI", helping field agents to analyse the evidence they're obtaining. It's like you're at a screen with a headset, using the information to help solve crimes, and eventually, to get to the heart of the growing conspiracy that you begin to suspect within the FDI itself... Very intuitive to play, with the right level of puzzles that don't bog you down, and a brilliant story and voice-acting to help make it as immersive as possible. If you want to pretend to work at the FBI, this is a good game for you :) Also, passing or failing at various key points seems to lead to multiple endings, leading to a certain amount of replayability. STEAM DECK COMPATIBILITY: This game functions perfectly well on the steam deck, but I highly recommend playing this game at a desk PC with over-ear headphones on; the game has been designed to be immersive and this setup helps that the most.

The concept of the game and the execution is wonderful. However, the ending wasn't to my liking as it feels like everything you did wasn't taken into consideration.

Not exactly difficult. Not exactly boringly easy. More of a walking sim puzzle game. Semi ending spoilers: [spoiler] Ending leaves you off with a nihilistic "Everybody dies, be sad now and buy the next game due to cliffhanger" [/spoiler]

This was mostly fun, a little short. YMMV, but I think this totally s***s the bed at the end. There's a 'mystery' that I figured out about 10 minutes into the game, and the ending... ugh. [spoiler]I like a dark ending as much as the next guy, but this just felt rushed and unsatisfying,[/spoiler]

It's a cool game with a nice gameplay. It even gives you the illusion of a choice. But the ending is very depressing and kinda ruined the whole thing for me. So I can't recommend it.

Amazing detective/puzzle game. One of my favorite games I've played this year. I hope there is a sequel in the works. It's very linear, but I think I can do 2 or 3 playthroughs just to see if I can do each day without hints. Give this one a try!

Short but engaging. Sometimes its tough to know what to do next but worth a buy.

This game was amazing! With the amount of decisions you can make you can play the game several times and while the story is the same you can change up what happens during the story in order to save characters or if you make the wrong decisions you can kill off one of the characters. Not one story is the same and you can play several times to have the story change!

it was a good game, definitely not what i expected from this game, id assume there multiply endings since you can pick so many different answers/ tasks. ill be doing a replay of the game for sure. Id say it was worth the $10

Awesome game. Relaxing in its own way but kept me on my toes. Realistic and entertaining. Will definitely play through again to find things I missed!

I cannot recommend this game enough. The gameplay mechanics are unique and a convincing facsimile of "hacking" without becoming cumbersome. The story, however, is where this game shines. The characters are compelling, the voice acting incredible, and the plot? *chef's kiss* I really can't overstate how well done the story is. Oftentimes, the dialogue in games like this can feel cheap or like it has no real impact on the story, but when you play The Operator you don't just feel, you know, that you choices have consequences. The ending is incredible and really took my breath away, but I won't say any more to prevent from spoiling it. If this sounds even remotely like something you'd enjoy, please do yourself a favor and buy it. You'll be supporting an amazing studio and getting a stellar game in the process.

Absolutely great game. Easily one of the best of this genre that I've played recently. Compelling storyline, fun gameplay and amazing sound track. Didn't expect that ending from a mile away

Loved this game. I'm usually not much of a story game type of person but this story was captivating, well thought out, and the game-play was awesome. The investigative portions of the game are great. I hope to see an expansion or second game at some point.

-Only 4 hours but enjoyed every second of it. -Very entertaining game. -Fun puzzles to solve and evidence to dig through. -Relaxing but also some tense moments -great story. -great voice acting. We need more games like this!

Really solid game gameplay is fun story is good the only big downside is that i wish the game was longer i would totally play more games like this from the developer.

solid game, easy to run, cool story, but way too short with no replay value. pick it up if its on sale or if you really want it

Loved this game! The puzzles are fun, the story is interesting and I loved the ending! I wish it was longer.

I absolutely loved The Operator. From the moment I stepped into Evan Tanner’s shoes, booting up that simulated desktop and diving into the role of a rookie operator at the Federal Department of Intelligence, I was hooked. The game didn’t just pull me into its world—it immersed me in a labyrinth of conspiracies, moral dilemmas, and surveillance, all wrapped in a retro ‘90s aesthetic with tech that felt eerily futuristic. It was nostalgic, yes, but also unsettling in the best way. The gameplay was simple on the surface, but each task—analyzing grainy footage, cross-referencing databases, solving puzzles—made me feel like a true digital detective. It reminded me of Her Story, but stood firmly on its own legs with a tighter narrative and a mystery that grew darker and more complex with every click. The writing was spot-on, and the voice acting had a realism that drew me even deeper into the cases. Honestly, my biggest gripe was that it ended too soon. I finished it in just a few hours, and while every minute was satisfying, I found myself wishing for more—more time in that richly constructed world, more twists, more layers. The cliffhanger at the end didn’t just tease a continuation; it practically begged for one. I’m really hoping Bureau 81 brings us a sequel that picks up right where the story left off. Short as it was, The Operator delivered one of the most engaging and rewarding detective experiences I’ve played in ages. It made me pay attention, think critically, and trust my instincts. And I’d jump at the chance to return to that world the moment a sequel drops.

Such a peak experience. Great storytelling, engaging gameplay, well produced cutscenes, fantastic music. Get this game. Makes you feel operator asf

10/10 one of the better games ive played in the past 5 years next to inscryption. this game was a experience

Fun little 3-4 hour game. Not much in the way of real decisions but it's a fun ride once it gets going.

I loved this game and finished it in one go, the story and the puzzle solving was really fun. The only setback is albeit the high quality, it is a bit short (I did it in ~4hrs). I hope there will be DLCs and maybe even a sequel.

honestly as much as it's a short game. truly a great game and loved the ending credit scene and cannot wait to see a sequel!

this game is short, but its good... its really good. also pay attention to the cut scenes or you will get stuck later in the game.. thats all u need to know operator :)

An enjoyable story experience, I really felt like I was part of it. Fun story line to follow, kept me interested in the story the whole way through while enjoying the game play outside of the story.

I really enjoyed the concept and the narrative! The different mechanics like [spoiler]the bomb or chemical testing[/spoiler] were really cool but I wish you didn't just use them once. I finished in under 4 hours and I feel they could have padded the game time with some cases unrelated to the main plot. For the main story, it would've been great to be able to make choices that effected the outcome. Soundtrack was perfect I would play it again for a couple achievements I missed but no way if I can't skip cut scenes or dialogue.

Fun and Engaging with immersive sound effects.... Can play the game within 4 hours. Defiantly worth the buy.. Hoping for a sequel!! There's only one ending so you cant really play it again... I recommend playing it with headphones on... adds to the trill of the game 9/10

The game is missing some forks. Riddles and mechanics are not as good as they should be but the ride was definitely awesome and some ideas are truly brilliant (the trick to represent life out of office is just incredible).

While short, this experience of a game truly captivated me for a few hours. The ending was *chef's kiss* and I yearn for one more case to crack. Espionage, sci-fi, biotech, and secret agents all meet up in a single story about a guy who just wanted to clock out after a day's work and drink a few beers with his fat cat. Cheers to that fat cat. We'll call him Harry.

Absolutely an amazing game love the story line and the quick decision making that you have to do. The visuals being blurred but still knowing what is going on from the sounds I think is such a wonderful and great aspect to the game. I would recommend this if you love story games and the thrill of uncovering secrets.

This game is so much fun! the story, dude everything, i recommend everyone giving it a try!

great game with amazing voice acting sound design and story.

The Operator is a short but sweet game about assisting "FBI" agents while on cases, and uncovering a deeper conspiracy. The main gameplay is a mix of investigating cases using your FBI database and tools, and spotting contradicting parts of evidence. I enjoyed both the gameplay and the plot, and recommend this for anyone that thinks they would be interested.

I agree with other players it is tad short :(, but I really love the interface and the story! It would be awesome for a sequel (not sure if one is out already) but I love the small details to everyone having faces and personalities, etc. I would say I wish there was a menu to select specific chapters or skip dialogue or cutscenes,, if you have played it already once. For me I failed one of the areas and I would have loved to go back and replay but I didn't think about f4 or exiting out ;-; ! But I dont want to have to go thru the whole game again

Enjoyable, short hacking/mystery game with an interesting story.

Oh my god. i looked at this game, thought "oh one of those games where i do a bit of digging, streach the boudrys a bit, sure ill play." i couldent help myself from finishing this game. i installed it and played through the whole game in about 3 and a half hours and i cannot recommend it more. this review is a bit wonky because it is currently 3am. this game is amazing, it supprised me, and had me sitting here wide eyed and open jawed. please play this game, it is so good.

I liked the story and the gameplay but had so many questions at the end, which I don't like that they were left unanswered. Wish there could be a sequel to this. But if this is on sale, worth playing