Neutral on this one.

At the beginning of the game, you find yourself in a little cabin in possession of a bird watching book, some binoculars, a radio and a lantern.
All the birds from the book will have a question mark until you discover them with your binoculars at which point you will learn their name and they will appear complete in your bird book. Once a bird is checked off, you cannot speak to them again.

Now, the major flaw in this game...
NO MANUAL SAVE POINT
Apparently the game saves upon exit? It does yet it does not.
Upon exit , the birds you have revealed in the book are saved but your actual quest progression is not meaning that when you come back to the game and choose 'Continue' you will find yourself sitting through the opening again, landing right back at the first quest but being unable to progress because the birds you need to speak to in order to move further have been marked complete in your book locking you out of speaking to them.
First playthrough, I discovered the lack of save.
Second playthrough, I clicked on a locked gate and the game crashed.
Third playthrough, I had almost finished the game and only had two more birds to find in the book when I had the severe misfortune to explore Gianni's Orchard and get stuck to a TREE STUMP. Actually STUCK to it with no way to free myself. You guessed it, New Game. Finally completed the one hour story in three and a half hours total playtime.

If you can get past all of this there is a fun game here with good atmosphere, dark humour (honestly have not laughed this hard playing any other game), an interesting story, easy achievements and some replayability in order to see the story from both viewpoints. Gave me a fuzzy Firewatch vibe.
Overall , a darkly funny game which will be fantastic once it's issues are resolved. I wouldn't have put it in the Horror category but each to their own.

Birds Watching is a psychological horror experience that succeeds by turning silence, loneliness, and observation into its greatest weapons. Developed and published by Studio Ortica, the game places players in a desolate world devastated by endless fires where humanity has already collapsed, leaving behind only isolation and uncertainty. Instead of focusing on traditional horror mechanics like combat or constant jump scares, the game builds fear through atmosphere and slow-burning tension. The idea of simply wandering through a mountain reserve while cataloging birds initially sounds peaceful, almost relaxing, but Birds Watching gradually transforms that calm routine into something deeply disturbing. It creates an uncomfortable feeling that never fully disappears, making even the quietest moments feel threatening.

The game’s core concept revolves around birdwatching and environmental exploration. Armed with binoculars and limited supplies, the player explores abandoned wilderness areas while documenting birds and uncovering fragments of a larger mystery hidden throughout the environment. At first, the process feels meditative. Searching through forests, cliffsides, and ruined structures while listening to distant bird calls creates an atmosphere closer to a nature simulator than a horror game. However, that peaceful tone slowly begins to fracture. Strange events become more common, subtle environmental changes appear, and the wildlife itself starts feeling unnervingly aware of the player’s presence. The game cleverly shifts the relationship between observer and observed, creating the growing paranoia that the birds may be watching back.

One of the game’s greatest strengths is its atmosphere. Birds Watching understands how to create tension without overwhelming the player with constant scares. Much of the horror comes from anticipation and uncertainty rather than direct threats. The mountain setting feels isolated in a believable way, filled with fog-covered paths, abandoned cabins, and stretches of wilderness where nothing seems alive except the birds overhead. The sound design is especially effective because it constantly keeps the player uneasy. Wind blowing through trees, distant rustling, faint bird calls, and sudden unnatural silences all contribute to the oppressive mood. Even when absolutely nothing dangerous is happening, the game makes players feel vulnerable simply through environmental audio and pacing.

The visual design also deserves praise for how effectively it supports the game’s themes. Birds Watching uses a rough but atmospheric art style that prioritizes mood over realism. Dense forests, dark skies, and dimly lit interiors create a sense of decay and abandonment that perfectly fits the post-apocalyptic setting. Lighting plays a major role throughout the experience, particularly during nighttime exploration where visibility becomes limited and every shadow feels suspicious. The restrained use of disturbing imagery works in the game’s favor because the horror elements are introduced slowly and sparingly. Rather than constantly showing monsters or shocking visuals, the game relies on suggestion and imagination to create fear.

Narratively, Birds Watching takes a deliberately ambiguous approach. The story unfolds through environmental clues, scattered notes, hidden discoveries, and fragmented details rather than direct exposition. The game avoids explaining everything clearly, allowing players to interpret many of its mysteries for themselves. Themes of loneliness, survival, guilt, and psychological deterioration emerge naturally through exploration. The protagonist’s isolation becomes one of the most haunting parts of the experience because the world feels entirely abandoned except for the birds and whatever strange force seems connected to them. This uncertainty keeps the player engaged throughout the short runtime, constantly encouraging deeper exploration in search of answers that may never fully arrive.

The birdwatching mechanics themselves are surprisingly effective at supporting the horror. Instead of feeling disconnected from the game’s darker themes, the act of observing wildlife becomes central to the tension. Players are encouraged to move slowly, pay attention to subtle details, and remain focused on the environment at all times. This slower pacing allows the game to manipulate player expectations extremely well. By conditioning players to carefully observe every movement and sound, even the smallest environmental changes become unsettling. The simple act of raising binoculars eventually starts feeling dangerous because of how the game builds paranoia around observation and surveillance.

Another strength is the game’s pacing. Birds Watching is a relatively short experience, but that brevity works in its favor because the tension remains consistent throughout. The game never overstays its welcome or stretches its mechanics beyond what they can support. Every new area introduces fresh discoveries or unsettling moments, keeping the atmosphere engaging from beginning to end. Multiple endings and hidden secrets also add replay value for players interested in uncovering more about the world and its mysteries.

That said, the game will not appeal to everyone. Players expecting fast-paced horror gameplay or complex mechanics may find the experience too slow and minimalistic. Much of the gameplay revolves around exploration, observation, and atmosphere rather than direct interaction or combat. The intentionally vague storytelling may also frustrate players who prefer clear narratives with straightforward explanations. In some moments, the game’s ambiguity feels more confusing than mysterious, especially when trying to piece together its deeper lore. Technical roughness and occasional awkward movement controls can also slightly break immersion during exploration.

Despite these issues, Birds Watching stands out because of how effectively it commits to its concept. It transforms something normally peaceful into a source of dread through careful pacing, environmental storytelling, and psychological tension. Few horror games manage to create fear with such restraint, relying on silence and atmosphere rather than constant spectacle. The game understands that uncertainty can be more disturbing than explicit horror, and it uses that understanding to create an experience that lingers in the player’s mind long after it ends.

Birds Watching is not a traditional horror game, nor does it try to be. It is a slow, surreal, and deeply atmospheric experience built around isolation and paranoia. For players willing to embrace its deliberate pacing and cryptic storytelling, it offers a memorable journey filled with quiet dread and unsettling mystery. Studio Ortica has created a unique psychological horror experience that proves even the simple act of watching birds can become terrifying under the right circumstances.

Rating: 9/10

An absolutely incredible game. As an Italian bird lover and a horror lover, this game scratched the itch and then some. I played all the endings, but honestly, the "true" ending really got me. Love the atmosphere and overall narrative. Highly recommend!