Omori's clash of Earthbound-inspired RPG gameplay and psychological horror narrative experiences is both the strongest and weakest part of the game. While symbolically the parallel works incredibly well, its result in quality can feel quite jarring.
When in the Headspace, or bubbly RPG sections on your quest to save a friend, the variety in location and characters is interesting, but it only goes so far. I felt myself pretty bored wandering through these sections, and despite the combat system's intriguing concept of being able to switch weaknesses on the fly with the Emotion System, it felt largely underutilized in 95% of the battles you fought with low level enemies. I don't really have a problem with the ease of difficulty, its moreso the quickness of battles and low amount of SP that makes me resort to spamming basic attacks for the majority of my play through (Bosses were the fine exception though). I always just found myself wanting to get back into the Real World; luckily that payed off.
Omori's tragic finale is something I feel will sit with me for a really long time. Despite the abstract visuals and horror undertones that build upon the imagery in a very meaingful way, it also somehow still feels shockingly real. Seeing the immeasurable happiness the group in their early years felt with each other, to then ask the question whether that joy is something the characters will ever be able to reach again, is overwhelming. It feels impossible, just like the many other questions raised. Sunny's journey of perseverance, while may not create an absolute resolution, is inspiring and really ties the game's themes together. This all culminates into one of the best finales I've witnessed in a game until now.
Like I said before, the parallel in worlds and the meaning it brings to the journey is irreplaceable and one of the most important aspects to the fantastic narrative. I just wish Head Space's minute to minute gameplay did the rest of the experience justice. Despite that, Omori was an unforgettable experience that I think everyone should play to the end, because it's more than worth it.
When in the Headspace, or bubbly RPG sections on your quest to save a friend, the variety in location and characters is interesting, but it only goes so far. I felt myself pretty bored wandering through these sections, and despite the combat system's intriguing concept of being able to switch weaknesses on the fly with the Emotion System, it felt largely underutilized in 95% of the battles you fought with low level enemies. I don't really have a problem with the ease of difficulty, its moreso the quickness of battles and low amount of SP that makes me resort to spamming basic attacks for the majority of my play through (Bosses were the fine exception though). I always just found myself wanting to get back into the Real World; luckily that payed off.
Omori's tragic finale is something I feel will sit with me for a really long time. Despite the abstract visuals and horror undertones that build upon the imagery in a very meaingful way, it also somehow still feels shockingly real. Seeing the immeasurable happiness the group in their early years felt with each other, to then ask the question whether that joy is something the characters will ever be able to reach again, is overwhelming. It feels impossible, just like the many other questions raised. Sunny's journey of perseverance, while may not create an absolute resolution, is inspiring and really ties the game's themes together. This all culminates into one of the best finales I've witnessed in a game until now.
Like I said before, the parallel in worlds and the meaning it brings to the journey is irreplaceable and one of the most important aspects to the fantastic narrative. I just wish Head Space's minute to minute gameplay did the rest of the experience justice. Despite that, Omori was an unforgettable experience that I think everyone should play to the end, because it's more than worth it.
4 Comments
Thank you Andremori
Very nice review, Brodie.
Thanks sm Ali
Talketsu
2 years ago