Omori

Omori is half turned-based RPG, half Psychological Horror. It has uniquely animated cutscenes, a beautiful 179-track soundtrack, and a story that will make you ball your eyes out. It's terrifying, silly, funny, emotional, and amazing all at the same time. If you haven't played Omori I HIGHLY recommend it.

I have played many video games in the past, but there has never been one that could close the gap to my heart as effortlessly as OMORI has. The first hour or so of this game is misleading, probably intentionally so. I thought this was going to be a cute lo-fi aesthetic RPG with some, quite frankly, sluggish combat, or something along these lines. But as I progressed through the game and the first major plot point, I realized: I wasn't playing OMORI for the gameplay, no, there are clearly better RPGs than this. But the story, the world, the characters... now this is something worth exploring. And believe me when I tell you that in the end of it all, I regret even thinking of doubting this game at the beginning.

I can't say much without getting into spoiler territory, but I can tell you this: OMORI has so, so many powerful ways of gripping your heart, tightly so. One moment you'll find yourself with a glowing grin and watery eyes, then moments later you'll be feeling the painful chills down on you as you slowly explore the horrible truth. You CARE about what is happening, without the game making you do so. It is the most meaningful game I've ever played in terms of presentation... the world building is meaningful, the horror aspects of this game are meaningful. Everything matters, and this game will make you realize this thoroughly.

What is even more astounding, is that such a brilliant game was made in RPG Maker. It just shows that a bold vision can shine adamantly even on restricted environments. Five years of rough development that paid off tremendously. A tiny group of individuals that wanted to create something beautiful. Even on RPG Maker, this game looks amazing. The little details in every level, the gorgeous pencil-drawn animations, the expressive character portraits, complementing each other to deliver a bizarre, colorful world... and let's not get started on the soundtrack of this game.

OMORI is sad, it is happy, it is terrifying, it is a macabre ode for young people, it is a message of love and forgiveness. OMORI is a warm smile in the cold fog, in the endless void. It is a reminder. A reminder to look ahead, past the overwhelming darkness. There, somewhere, you'll find the smiles and love of the ones waiting for you. So don't keep them waiting :)

This game is a brilliant depiction of mental illness and trauma; but do not ignore the warnings. This game is beautiful and wholesome and fun and nostalgic and creative, but dark nonetheless. If you're a fan of the silent hill series, earthbound, or Yume Nikki; there are tropes it shares across them all and it pulls all these dissonant tones together in a wonderfully paced, harmonious experience.

This game is quite good. It has a very good story with many twists and very engaging gameplay with the battle mechanics and unique emotions system. Do not ignore the warnings however, as they do come into play quite intensely. If you're okay with pixelated gore and depictions of characters dying and killing themselves, then go ahead and give this game a try!

I recently bought Omori for the switch and God am I happy I did. I'll start with the easier stuff. The graphics are very pretty and downright fantastic in some sections, however it's not going to blow you away or anything. The main use of the graphics is to enhance the storytelling of the game, which they do masterfully. On the other hand, the music not only enhances the storytelling of the game to an insane degree, but is also just amazing in its own right, likely the best (indie) ost since Cuphead three years before it. Just like the graphics, the gameplay is not going to blow you away with its completely unique and different battle system, but that doesn't mean it's not incredible(even more so than the graphics I think). It's classic turn based combat for the most part, but with fantastic rpg elements and a wonderful little "emotion gimmick" that gives the game its own spin on turn based rpg combat. When not in combat, you get to enjoy an amazingly rich world of cities, hotels, planets, whales, and more. Two of my favorite parts about exploring are how there are items to pick up everywhere, making all exploration worth it, as well as how each item has its own little unique description, giving the game so much personality and charm(a lot like undertale). Still, even with all this, I would probably only give the game an 8 or maybe an 8.5. What takes it up to an easy ten is the downright terrifying beauty of its storyline. It has easily one of the best storylines I've ever seen in a game, telling a story of loss, grief, guilt, depression, and memory. I don't want to spoil it but just know it's beautifully(and arguably perfectly) paced, written, directed, and drawn. If you have not given this one a go, I would highly recommend that you do; you will not regret it.