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.
In 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.
Reviews
- story12,172 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 often describe it as a rollercoaster of emotions, with well-developed characters and unexpected plot twists that leave a lasting impact. While the gameplay can be repetitive and drawn out, many agree that the rich storytelling and immersive experience make it a must-play for fans of narrative-driven games.
“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!”
“Once in a lifetime experience and a story so well written that it changed my life in some ways.”
“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.”
- emotional5,285 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Omori" is overwhelmingly impactful, with players frequently reporting intense feelings of sadness, nostalgia, and connection to the characters. Many reviewers noted that the game made them cry multiple times, often citing its ability to blend heartwarming moments with deeply disturbing themes related to trauma and mental health. Overall, "Omori" is praised as a masterful emotional journey 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 is the most emotional, heartbreaking, and well thought out game I have ever played.”
“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.”
- music4,689 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 tracks described as both haunting and beautiful. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's versatility, noting how it shifts from cheerful and whimsical to dark and unsettling, perfectly complementing the narrative's themes of friendship, trauma, and mental health. Overall, the game's music is considered a standout feature, with many players expressing a desire to listen to the soundtrack outside of the game itself.
“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 soundtrack is incredible, the characters are interesting, the world is really fun to explore, and there is just so much to see and experience.”
“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 in the last part of the game is so beautiful yet devastatingly haunting; listening to it alone outside of the game is enough to make me cry.”
“The music is lackluster, the input feels clunky at times, like a cheap emulator of SNES/GBA games with sped up mode.”
- gameplay3,344 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Omori" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while it features a traditional turn-based RPG system, it incorporates unique mechanics such as an emotion-based combat system that adds depth and strategy. However, some players find the gameplay repetitive and tedious, particularly during extended sections that lack significant narrative progression. Overall, while the gameplay may not be the main draw, it effectively supports the game's emotional and story-driven experience, making it a worthwhile journey for those who appreciate narrative over mechanics.
“But the way the game's narrative is woven with its gameplay is nothing short of amazing.”
“The gameplay is unique, the messaging is strong, the storytelling is insightful and thought-provoking.”
“The gameplay manages to strike a perfect balance between being quirky and meaningful whilst still offering a ton of depth to master and appreciate.”
“Admittedly, from a gameplay standpoint, it's pretty mid.”
“The gameplay is a monotonous grind; every encounter feels like a chore, and the forgettable soundtrack makes the cutesy art style choice feel out of place.”
“The gameplay is seriously tedious and unfun.”
- graphics2,551 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Omori" have received widespread acclaim for their unique hand-drawn art style, which combines colorful pixel art with charming illustrations that evoke a sense of nostalgia. Players appreciate the emotional depth conveyed through the visuals, which effectively contrast the game's darker themes with its whimsical aesthetic. The soundtrack complements the art beautifully, enhancing the overall immersive experience and making it a standout title in the indie RPG genre.
“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 graphics are pretty meh and I wish the entire game was in Omori's unique art style.”
“The graphics are simple, the animations are scarce, the art style might not be for everyone.”
“The graphics, while basic and pixelated (but mixed with quite a few other art styles), weave together a gorgeous story and captivating sights for the eye.”
- humor1,009 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 character interactions and dialogue, while also experiencing emotional depth that can lead to tears. The game effectively balances its whimsical humor with serious themes, creating a unique emotional rollercoaster that resonates with many players.
“The emotion-based combat feels so satisfying, the humor is spot-on, it really reminded me of Earthbound (one of my favorite games) and, most importantly, it really messed with me in a personal way.”
“The juxtaposition between surreal humor and soul-crushing heartache somehow just works.”
“The characters are very well written: dialogues are creative and filled with puns, jokes, and funny interactions between them.”
“None of the jokes were groan-inducingly unfunny, but I didn't find myself laughing as much as I did while playing other games with a similar type of humor, such as Deltarune.”
“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.”
- grinding443 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in the later stages. While some appreciate that grinding is often optional and not strictly necessary to progress, others feel that the combat can become monotonous and that certain side quests and achievements require excessive grinding. Overall, the gameplay is described as lengthy and at times drawn out, which can detract from the otherwise engaging story and characters.
“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 only complaint I would make is that headspace sections can be boring and tedious.”
“The game itself is a maybe 5-hour game at best stretched to 20+ hours for one or two endings, a dull slog where you meander through largely pointless and tedious turn-based battles and suffer through random humor while waiting for the developers to take pity on you and give another crumb of information as to what is actually happening.”
- atmosphere382 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of *Omori* is widely praised for its immersive and emotional depth, blending charming visuals with haunting soundtracks that enhance the storytelling. Players appreciate the game's ability to shift from whimsical and nostalgic to unsettling and dark, effectively conveying themes of mental health and personal struggle. The meticulous attention to detail in art and music creates a unique atmosphere that resonates deeply with players, making it a standout experience in the RPG genre.
“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 atmosphere in this game is 12/10; it is seriously so good.”
“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.”
- replayability184 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits a strong sense of replayability, with many players highlighting its multiple endings, diverse routes, and numerous side quests that encourage exploration. While some reviews note that the core gameplay may become repetitive after multiple playthroughs, many still find value in uncovering hidden content and achieving different outcomes. Ratings for replayability generally range from 8/10 to 10/10, indicating a solid incentive for players to revisit the game.
“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 story is so good, and there's more than just the main plot -- there's lots of side quests that you can do, which makes the game replayable.”
“Plus, the amount of content in this game is absolutely astonishing; between different endings, a plethora of secrets, tons of side quests and unlockables, and different choices that actually make an impact, I'd say that the asking price is more than justified for the sheer amount of replayability alone.”
“The only negative is that there isn't a lot of replay value.”
“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.”
“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 development168 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 well the characters evolve throughout the story. The combination of compelling storytelling, unique character designs, and immersive gameplay creates a strong bond between players and the characters, making their journeys feel personal and impactful. While some players mention occasional pacing issues or filler content, the overall consensus is that the character development is a standout feature that enhances the game's narrative experience.
“If you like lore and character development/in-depth characters, please play (just be warned of the heavy themes). I personally have really bonded with 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.”
“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 doesn't feel rushed, and you feel like you get to know them on a personal level.”
“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.”
- optimization34 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is inconsistent, with some players experiencing significant lag and performance issues, particularly on certain platforms like the Steam Deck. While some users report smooth performance and no crashes, others note frustrating stuttering and unacceptable performance on PC, indicating that optimization varies widely depending on hardware and settings. Despite these issues, many players still find the gameplay enjoyable and engaging.
“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.”
“Performance-wise, this game runs fine on my hardware, as it should.”
“The game is pretty poorly optimized and has lag spikes randomly, but they're pretty rare.”
“This game has frustratingly poor performance on Steam Deck.”
“Just know that I've had inconsistent performance and I'm running it with a 3060.”
- stability26 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 4 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent glitches, crashes, and graphical issues that can significantly disrupt gameplay. While some users experienced minimal problems, others faced severe bugs that required workarounds, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction with customer support. Overall, the game's stability appears to be a major concern, with many players feeling it is unfinished and buggy.
“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.”
- monetization8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users criticizing the presence of microtransactions and comparing it unfavorably to other games. However, others appreciate the creative advertising strategies employed, particularly in relation to merchandise and promotional efforts at events. Overall, while there are concerns about cash grabs in the gaming industry, this game is seen as a refreshing alternative.
“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.”