Omori
- December 24, 2020
- OMOCAT, LLC
- 22h median play time
Impressive efforts with a few noticeable problems holding them back. Won't astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash.
Get on SteamIn OMORI, a surreal horror RPG, a young child and their friends explore a colorful yet sinister world to find a missing person. Confront past traumas and fears in turn-based battles while choosing paths that determine the group's fate. Navigating mundane, quirky, and horrific lands, players will uncover the dark secrets behind this mysterious world.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Phone
Playstation 4
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Nintendo 3ds
PlayStation
Playstation Vita
Tablet
Xbox
Reviews
- story24,344 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Omori" is widely praised for its emotional depth and intricate narrative, exploring themes of trauma, grief, and mental health through a blend of whimsical and dark elements. Players report feeling deeply connected to the characters, with many experiencing significant emotional responses, including tears, as the story unfolds and reveals its poignant twists. While the gameplay can be repetitive and some sections may feel drawn out, the compelling storytelling and rich character development make it a memorable and impactful experience that resonates long after completion.
“I have so many hours on this game and the storyline is amazing, definitely would recommend!”
“I felt so much emotion and connected so deeply with the characters, the graphics, the soundtracks, the fighting dynamic, the story behind all the characters, all the details, one of my favorite games ever!!”
“The story is rich, the characters are compelling and fun, and the visuals and sound design always hit just right.”
“The story takes a major hit when it's revealed as to the 'why' of things, and I ended up losing sympathy for the characters involved in the 'why'.”
“The pacing is really bad as you're forced to interact with made-up creatures and deal with their 4-hour story missions before you can get back to the actual story.”
“The story is very well crafted and it's pacing is pretty balanced, even when you're not uncovering the main story you won't feel like you're wasting your time.”
- emotional10,570 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Omori" is overwhelmingly praised by players, with many describing it as a deeply moving and heart-wrenching experience. Reviewers frequently mention crying multiple times throughout the game, highlighting its ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, from joy to profound sadness, as it tackles heavy themes such as trauma, grief, and mental health. The game's unique blend of whimsical visuals and dark storytelling creates a powerful emotional rollercoaster that resonates with players long after they finish the game.
“The music pulls you into the world, making the emotional highs and lows hit even harder.”
“The emotional and thematic feats this game pulls off are incredible.”
“This game is a beautifully heartfelt portrayal of depression, trauma, loss and coping mechanisms - with a fully fleshed out, in-depth battle mechanic and exceptional storytelling through in-game events, charming writing and masterfully implemented 'player-inferred' messages.”
“Honestly, the story was good, but the gameplay was too laid back for me. I was expecting something like Undertale.”
“Very rarely made me feel sad.”
“Honestly, the story was good, but the gameplay was too laid back for me. I was expecting something like Undertale.”
- music9,378 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Omori" has received widespread acclaim for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting its diverse range of tracks that effectively capture various moods—from whimsical and upbeat to haunting and melancholic. The soundtrack is often described as a standout feature, with memorable pieces that resonate with players long after they finish the game, making it a significant part of the overall experience. Many players express a strong emotional connection to the music, noting how it complements the storytelling and character development throughout the game.
“The soundtrack deserves special mention; it perfectly captures the game’s mood, enhancing each scene with a haunting, often nostalgic quality.”
“The music pulls you into the world, making the emotional highs and lows hit even harder.”
“The ost is also filled to the brim with absolute bangers begging to be replayed over and over inside your head.”
“The music is also extremely charming; however, its biggest downside is that most tracks just aren't very long, which can get a tad repetitive, especially if it's a track that occurs multiple times across similar scenarios.”
“The music enhances emotional moments, intensifies suspenseful sequences, and perfectly captures the essence of the game's themes.”
“The soundtrack is a work of art that completes the atmosphere.”
- gameplay6,688 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Omori" is generally described as a blend of traditional turn-based RPG mechanics with unique elements, such as an emotion system that influences combat dynamics. While many players appreciate the engaging narrative and character development, some find the gameplay repetitive and lacking depth, particularly in standard enemy encounters. Overall, the game is praised for its emotional storytelling and artistic presentation, with gameplay serving primarily as a vehicle for the narrative rather than a standout feature.
“But the way the game's narrative is woven with its gameplay is nothing short of amazing.”
“Emotional story and addictive gameplay.”
“The gameplay is unique, messaging is strong, the storytelling is insightful and thought-provoking, and you bet for damn sure that I was actively bawling my eyes out at the self-evident part I am talking about here.”
“Admittedly, from a gameplay standpoint, it's pretty mid.”
“The story is great but the gameplay is seriously tedious and unfun.”
“The gameplay is a monotonous grind, every encounter feels like a chore, forgettable soundtrack, cutesy art style choice makes no sense.”
- graphics5,102 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Omori" are widely praised for their unique hand-drawn art style, which combines colorful pixel art with charming, whimsical illustrations that enhance the game's emotional depth. Players appreciate how the visuals effectively convey the contrasting themes of innocence and psychological horror, creating a captivating atmosphere that draws them into the story. The soundtrack complements the visuals beautifully, further immersing players in the game's rich narrative and character development.
“The hand-drawn art style is great, and the game can be genuinely touching.”
“The story definitely wouldn't have been delivered as well as it did if it weren't for the beautiful artwork that this game has.”
“The way the game combines its aesthetics with storytelling is stunning, creating an unforgettable experience that lingers long after playing.”
“The pixel art is pretty meh and I wish the entire game was in Omori's unique art style.”
“The graphics are, well, earthbound-y.”
“The graphics grew on me after a while and I appreciated how they could do so much with so little.”
- humor2,018 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in "Omori" is a blend of quirky, lighthearted moments and darker, more surreal comedy, reminiscent of games like "Earthbound" and "Undertale." Players often find themselves laughing at the absurdity of certain situations and character interactions, while also experiencing emotional depth that can lead to tears. However, some critiques mention that the humor can feel forced or fall flat at times, particularly when juxtaposed with the game's heavier themes. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with poignant storytelling, creating a unique emotional experience.
“But if you enjoy the little moments, going on funny side-quests, experiencing quirky personalities, and exploring charming environments, then Omori just might become your favorite game of all time.”
“The juxtaposition between surreal humor and soul-crushing heartache somehow just works.”
“The humor is laugh-out-loud funny and the music is chef's kiss, and the combat system is unique with lots of variety for different types of enemies.”
“For me, the game fell out of my good graces with its shoddy dialogue and, frankly, unfunny 2010s Tumblr-era 'rawr xd' humor, and once that happens, everything the game did just furthered my dislike of it.”
“And what makes it annoying on top of unfunny is that part of the 'humor' for a lot of the quests involves backtracking and going back and forth because 'funny', and it really will get on your nerves real fast.”
“Lastly, I really have to comment on how unfunny this game is.”
- grinding886 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Omori" has received mixed feedback from players. Many find the gameplay tedious and repetitive, particularly during combat and side quests, with some sections feeling unnecessarily long and drawn out. However, others appreciate that grinding is often optional, allowing players to progress through the story without excessive leveling, though some still report needing to grind for tougher bosses or achievements. Overall, while the story and characters are praised, the grinding and pacing issues detract from the experience for many players.
“I would recommend this game to anyone who enjoys a good story and an RPG where you can focus on the fights and not grind the little guys to raise your levels.”
“In all seriousness though, Omori is a very well-made RPG game with interesting characters, a unique take on turn-based combat (featuring emotions and follow-up attacks), and no grinding at all is needed.”
“Also, there is virtually no grinding required in order to beat any of the main story bosses, which is a huge plus.”
“The story is great but the gameplay is seriously tedious and unfun.”
“The penultimate area was, whale (ha), pretty dull, considering I had to take 3 paths and do some extremely tedious tasks and it wasn't even that interesting of an area.”
“Tl;dr: boring, grindy gameplay cannot be handwaved by being story- or character-relevant, and the game is missing some spark that would redeem the experience.”
- atmosphere764 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of *Omori* is widely praised for its immersive and emotional depth, blending whimsical charm with unsettling horror elements. Players appreciate the game's stunning art style, evocative soundtrack, and the way it captures a range of emotions, from nostalgia to dread, effectively enhancing the storytelling. The contrasting tones and well-crafted environments create a unique experience that resonates deeply with players, making it a standout aspect of the game.
“The atmosphere the game created was just so charming and it was a really pleasant experience to play through.”
“From the very first moments, Omori envelops you in its hauntingly beautiful art style and atmospheric soundtrack, setting the stage for an emotional rollercoaster unlike any other.”
“The synergy between the visuals and the music is nothing short of magical, creating an immersive atmosphere that is rare to find in gaming.”
“It felt like experiencing a fever dream that slowly turns into a nightmare; the atmosphere in the darker parts was deeply unsettling.”
“The slow decay from the overly-bright, cheery atmosphere you initially start in to the end is jarring and nerve-wracking, while also being deeply heart-wrenching.”
“The mostly cheery atmosphere covering up how brutal the game really is, until you get reminded by... something... was an amazing way of telling the story.”
- replayability368 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is generally viewed as high, with many players appreciating the multiple endings, diverse routes, and numerous side quests that encourage exploration and repeated playthroughs. However, some critics note that the core gameplay can become repetitive, and while there are many secrets to uncover, the overall replay value may diminish after the initial experiences. Overall, it is often rated between 8/10 to 10/10 for replayability, appealing especially to completionists and those who enjoy narrative depth.
“Even setting aside the story, the actual core gameplay is great and offers enough replay value to want to see everything the game has to offer.”
“The gameplay and story are so peak, it's a must buy...plus there's so much replayability.”
“With four different endings and two different routes, there is replay value along with secrets and side quests that you really have to look for.”
“If you want a gameplay-oriented reason not to play this game... the game's replayability is non-existent. The game relies solely on storytelling because the fights become redundant once you figure out what works best. Replaying doesn't 'reveal' anything new you might've missed unless you're intentionally warping your entire interaction with in-game events.”
“The only negative is that there isn't a lot of replay value.”
“My only real criticism of the game is replayability; the replayability in this game is not good. You get 2 endings and you've seen almost everything. Yeah, there are some secrets in sections of the game, but nothing I would deem notable.”
- character development336 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, with players noting how they form strong connections with the characters throughout the story. The writing is described as natural and impactful, often leading to gut-wrenching moments that enhance the overall experience. While some players feel certain scenes lack value, the majority agree that the character arcs are well-crafted, making the journey through the game both engaging and memorable.
“If you like lore and character development/in-depth characters, please play (just be warned of the heavy themes). I personally have really bonded and liked the characters, and there's quite a lot of gameplay. I have 99.1 hours on the game at the time of writing and haven't even finished anywhere near all the content in this game, so you will have lots to discover.”
“Without any spoilers, the major highlights for me were: incredible character development and natural writing, a simultaneously fun, beautiful, heart-wrenching, and terrifying OST, amazing and memorable art that perfectly fits the aesthetic of each section in the game and evolves with the progression of the story.”
“The character development leads the player to go through multiple emotions and opinions for each of the main characters, but in the end, it leaves the player with empathy for each one.”
“The character development of the characters throughout the game is well thought through; however, some scenes do not really add any value to the story or their background.”
“The game contains hours of filler content, sometimes featuring no character development or story development of any kind, and while some of it can be cute, some of the time this can just be frustrating.”
“This game could very well have been a masterpiece if only some sections were removed or made shorter, or if instead more plot or character development occurred between the story beats.”
- optimization68 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing lag spikes and performance issues, particularly on the Steam Deck and certain PC configurations. However, others report smooth gameplay and no crashes, indicating that performance may vary significantly depending on hardware. Overall, while there are notable optimization flaws, many players still find the game enjoyable and engaging despite these issues.
“The game engine is also very well optimized, and my game never crashed or buffered once during my entire playthrough.”
“In all, the game gives you a bang for your buck whether you're worried about length, content, OST, the horror aspect, the performance, and the enjoyability of the game.”
“The rock-paper-scissors 'emotions' mechanic rewards consideration in combat and good selections of items and abilities, and character skills are designed in ways that provide interesting but rewarding choices and opportunities for optimization.”
“This game has frustratingly poor performance on Steam Deck.”
“I experience stuttering a lot which can make it unplayable.”
“The PC version has some pretty unacceptable performance issues as well, like severe lag.”
- stability52 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent graphical glitches, crashes, and freezing, particularly on certain platforms like Mac. While some users experienced minimal issues, others found the bugs significantly impacted gameplay, leading to frustration and a sense of an unfinished product. Despite some updates aimed at addressing these problems, the overall consensus suggests that stability remains a major concern for many players.
“very few glitches”
“The storyline is really good, I've played this before, but I just got it on Steam and it runs great!”
“The game is buggy as hell; I had to turn it to windowed mode because fullscreen made it crash every few minutes.”
“This game is buggy, broken, and unfinished.”
“A few people have posted about workarounds, but none work properly and it still crashes/freezes constantly.”
- monetization16 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received criticism for its reliance on microtransactions, which some players find frustrating and indicative of a broader trend in the gaming industry towards cash grabs. However, there is also appreciation for the creative marketing strategies employed, such as unique advertisements that resonate with fans, providing a refreshing contrast to the typical monetization practices seen in many modern games.
“Horrible microtransactions to play!”
“In a world filled with unfinished buggy games, microtransactions, and generic AAA games lacking creativity and soul, it's very easy to become disillusioned at what gaming has become.”
“Diving into this game is a welcome escape from the monotony of dime-a-dozen cash grab hack and slash RPGs that now dominate the once great genre.”
