Orwell: Keeping an Eye On You review

Orwell looks at cyber intrusion from the side of the state. You are the first human researcher for Orwell, a government program that can monitor all personal communications and access any computer, and after a terror attack in the capital you build profiles of suspects. The Steam page lists searching web pages, social media, dating profiles and blogs, listening to chats, reading emails, hacking PCs and pulling medical files. The real decisions are which pieces of information you pass on to the security forces, and the game is open about the consequences. It costs $9.99, runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and 90% of 4,883 Steam user reviews are positive. It ranks seventh because hacking is only part of an investigation game, so players who want terminals and exploits should pick Hacknet or Grey Hack.

Who it is for

Players interested in surveillance and privacy rather than technical hacking

Price

$9.99 one-time purchase on Steam (US store).

But, be warned, the information you supply will have consequences. $9.99 Buy on Steam
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Search web pages, social media posts, dating profiles, news articles and blogs
• Listen to chats, read emails, hack PCs and pull medical files
• Decide which pieces of information reach the security forces
• Build a network of suspects from one person of interest
• Available in 10 interface languages

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: $9.99, tied for the cheapest paid game here
• Strength: 90% of 4,883 Steam user reviews are positive
• Strength: Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux with 4 GB of RAM
• Weakness: Hacking is one tool among many; the focus is surveillance and judgment
• Weakness: Single-player only
• Weakness: Linear investigation structure

Key facts

• Developer: Osmotic Studios
• Publisher: Daedalic Entertainment
• Released on Steam: October 27, 2016
• Minimum RAM: 4 GB
• Steam user reviews: 90% positive of 4,883

Where it ranks

Orwell: Keeping an Eye On You is No. 7 in our Best Hacker Games verdict.