It's 1987 in North West England; A time of 80's British pop, grand architecture and political unrest. An explosion has triggered a controversial act which threatens to erode civil liberties of the population to be rushed into place. You are tasked with investigating and questioning people on their actions from a tumultuous night which resulted in the loss of many lives.
Each person has a different account of the night's event and you must use the tools at your disposal to get the results you need for your investigation. Will you take the most direct route at the risk of getting caught, or plan your approach carefully whilst precious time ticks by? Events happen in real-time and you must make decisions based on the evidence. You are the reporter.
You decide the narrative.
The Occupation is a great experience that will have you breaking a sweat as you attempt to use every last second you have to discover the truth about the Turing Incident.
From the last effort of White paper games emerges a highly political, exquisitely interactive, courageous work in being perhaps late with technical standards, but fresh and original in the formula play.
The Occupation presents a hidden gem of the investigative puzzle genre, with it’s approach to gameplay and storytelling. Despite its annoying bugs and huge technical problems, with certain fixes on that part, it presents itself as near-masterpiece of an experience.
With eight more months of development, The Occupation could have been the indie breakout hit suggested by glimpses of its brilliant bones throughout the experience.Technical issues and a punishing save mechanic take the joy of experimentation and exploration away from a game that could have been so much more.
White Paper Games had the courage to try new things in an era where everything looks like it’s repeating itself and everyone one another. Some development choices and many bugs though keep Occupation from being a great game.
The Occupation is one of the most elaborately designed games I’ve played in years, delivering heaps of atmosphere and enthralling puzzle-solving and exploration. The ambition here is palpable. Unfortunately, there are just too many moving parts at work, and they seemingly got the better of the small but clearly passionate team at White Paper Games. In time, I’d like to believe, The Occupation will be amazing. But I can’t, in good faith, recommend it in its current state.
The Occupation tries to present itself as a political thriller emphasizing stealth. Sadly, it has neither the thrills nor the mechanics to manage either.
October 5, 2018
The Occupation gets delayed to February 2019. Watch video
