Summary

Release Year: 2018
Genres: Adventure, Indie, Simulator
Platforms: Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
Developers: Monomyth Games
Publishers: Monomyth Games

Need to Know (2018): A Surveillance Thriller That Asks Tough Questions

Need to Know is a 2018 surveillance thriller video game developed by DONTNOD Entertainment and published by Focus Home Interactive. The game puts players in the role of a new recruit to the Department of Liberty, a powerful NSA-like government agency. Players must spy on citizens, pick apart their private lives, and determine how dangerous they are. However, players can also choose to resist these privacy invasions by aiding underground groups and leaking internal reports to the media.

The game’s story is set in a near-future where the Department of Liberty has been given sweeping powers to spy on citizens in the name of national security. Players take on the role of a new recruit to the department, and must quickly learn the ropes of surveillance and counter-terrorism.

As players progress through the game, they will be faced with a series of difficult choices. They can choose to follow orders and spy on innocent citizens, or they can choose to help those who are being targeted by the Department of Liberty. The choices players make will have a significant impact on the story, and will ultimately determine the fate of the country.

Need to Know is a well-crafted and thought-provoking game that explores the complex issues of privacy, security, and freedom. The game’s story is engaging and suspenseful, and the characters are well-developed and relatable. The game’s choices are meaningful and have a real impact on the story, and the ending is both satisfying and thought-provoking.

Gameplay

Need to Know is a narrative-driven game with a focus on player choice. Players will spend most of their time interrogating suspects, reading through surveillance reports, and making decisions about how to proceed. The game’s dialogue system is well-written and branching, and players will have to carefully consider their responses in order to get the desired outcome.

In addition to the narrative-driven gameplay, Need to Know also features some light puzzle-solving elements. Players will need to use their wits to uncover hidden information and solve puzzles in order to progress through the game.

Themes

Need to Know explores a number of complex themes, including privacy, security, and freedom. The game asks players to question the balance between these three concepts, and to consider the implications of giving up our privacy in the name of security.

The game also explores the theme of whistleblowing. Players can choose to leak internal reports to the media, which can have a significant impact on the story. The game does not shy away from the risks and consequences of whistleblowing, and players will have to weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before making a decision.

Reception

Need to Know received generally positive reviews from critics. The game was praised for its well-written story, branching dialogue system, and thought-provoking themes. However, some critics found the game’s gameplay to be too slow-paced and repetitive.

Overall, Need to Know is a well-crafted and thought-provoking game that explores the complex issues of privacy, security, and freedom. The game’s story is engaging and suspenseful, the characters are well-developed and relatable, and the choices players make have a real impact on the story. If you are a fan of narrative-driven games, or if you are interested in the themes of privacy and security, then Need to Know is definitely worth checking out.

Score: 8/10

Pros:

Well-written and branching dialogue system
Thought-provoking themes
Choices players make have a real impact on the story
Well-developed and relatable characters

Cons:

Gameplay can be slow-paced and repetitive
Some of the puzzles are too easy

Review Score

8/10

Publisher: Monomyth Games

Need to Know (2018)