What is We Become What We Behold?

We Become What We Behold is a casual, browser-based point-and-click game. You control a camera viewfinder on a screen filled with little square and circle characters. Your job is to take photos for the news.

I have played hundreds of indie browser games over the years. But few games hit as hard as We Become What We Behold. Nicky Case created this masterpiece, and it still holds up perfectly today. It is a fast, five-minute experience. However, the message it leaves in your head lasts much longer. You play as a news photographer. What you choose to capture shapes the entire world.

The game brilliantly shows how the media changes people. For example, I remember my first time playing it. I snapped a picture of a guy wearing a top hat, the TV flashed the hashtag '#OOH NICE HAT.' Suddenly, everyone in the game wanted a hat! It was fun to watch. But soon, the crowd got bored. But hats became old news. You are forced to find new, more shocking things to photograph. It shows exactly how fast trends die and how the media craves drama.

How to Play

Playing this game is incredibly simple. The screen is full of cute characters walking around randomly. There is a TV in the center of the screen prompts you to POINT and CLICK.

You just move your camera frame over the characters. When you see something unique, you take a shot. The picture appears on the big TV screen. Then, watch the hashtags pop up and see how the crowd reacts. If you just snap a picture of a regular person standing around, the TV says '#just a normal peep'. The crowd ignores it. Nobody cares about normal things. You need to look for drama to keep the viewers hooked.

Move the mouse: Moves the camera frame around the map.
Left Click: Snaps a photograph.

Tips and Tricks for Beginners

I have replayed this game many times to see all the small details. Here are my best tips for new players.

First, focus on the differences. Do not waste your time photographing normal people doing normal things. Look for the angry characters running around.
Second, pay close attention to the TV screen. The hashtags tell you what society wants. When two characters fall in love, you should snap it. It seems sweet at first. But be ready for the backlash. The internet can be mean, and you will see hashtags like '#GROSS, GO GET A ROOM' pop up.
Finally, remember that anger sells. To progress, the game forces you to capture fear and violence. It is a sad but true reflection of real-world media cycles. Don't be afraid to take the dark path, because that is the only way to reach the end of the game.