Orwell : Ignorance is Strength [PC] Indie One Shot
Developed By : Osmotic Studios Published By : Surprise Attack
Released : Mar 22, 2018 (Final Episode Released) Catgeory : Indie, Interactive Narrative
Orwell is back, with another three episodes to get you back in the saddle, surveilling and manipulating the inhabitants of The Nation. In the first season, terrorists had struck and it was up to you and your team at The Office to use Orwell to uncover the truth about who is to blame. This time around, you'll not only uncover the truth. You'll be able to stitch it together and fabricate it yourself.
Season two takes you right back to the interface from the first time around. Political tensions are high, and it appears that a man by the name of Raban Vharat may have some involvement in these goings on. Using Orwell, you'll keep an eye on him as he runs his privately run blog, The People's Voice, as well as his relationships with his wife, brother, and people from his past.
Now, everything from the original game returns. You'll still be sifting through news articles, blog sites, personal sites, work documents, emails, texts, all of the above. However, you get a coupe new tools at the ready as well. For one, you have the potential to access personal accounts on certain websites, and to do so you'll need a user's login. The login details will generally come target profiles and the information you've gathered on them, since you'll be able to find clues on what they might use to create their passwords. Find these, and you'll get inside access to even more potential dirt on your subjects.
The other new tool in Orwell, is known as The Influencer. This doesn't come into play until later on in the game, and it's key to any of the end-game scenarios. So, without spoiling anything, this is where you can create a false truth and spread it online. You'll combine datachunks, starting with the beginning of an idea, and then something personal to give it more credence. From here, you can choose to upload it and watch whatever fallout your actions may have.
In season two, events take place during the same time of the bombings from the last season, so while you're sifting through the headlines you'll see a lot of familiar ones. The gameplay is all the same, so it's very easy to roll into this from the last game. What's great though is the two different tones. Orwell's first season feels more direct and personal, dealing with the terrorist attacks as they happen. Season two feels a lot more passive, yet bigger at the same time. Like you're trying to untangle a ball of wire.
One big difference between the two is now, processing data chunks consumes time. For each chunk you upload, ten minutes will pass. This becomes key as a lot of your objectives can now revolve around specific deadlines. Whether you meet or miss that deadline can effect the events that unfold around you.
I find it hard to decide which season of Orwell I enjoyed more. They are both incredible games with intense stories. If you enjoy narrative driven games, both seasons of Orwell are must-plays. Do not pass up a chance to play these games, because you'll be missing something big if you do. Here's to hoping we might see a Season Three...or maybe Orwell will pop up in a different nation.
Rating : 10/10
Price : $9.99 / $14.98 (Again, this reflects price for just season two / bundle of both seasons)
