Observation is an adventure game. The player takes the role of Sam, short for the System Administration Maintenance (S.A.M.) artificial intelligence software aboard a multi-national space station.
Initially, the player’s view is limited to where the crew has relocated Sam, but as the game progresses, Sam can move its core presence between several of the modules on the station and electronically-controlled equipment.
TASK: Sam performs activities.
Further on, Sam is provided one of several small spherical probes that allows Sam to move more freely through the station and into hostile environments harmful to the humans aboard, including outside of the station.
The player, by manipulating Sam, can control various elements of the station, such as opening or closing hatches and activating safety systems.
Sam may be instructed by the crew to perform tasks, and Sam can reply by finding the task element of interest (such as the status of a module) and report back.