OTXO
- April 20, 2023
- Lateralis Heavy Industries
- 9h median play time
OTXO is a must-play title for fans of movies like John Wick who love tons of action and violence. With great pixelated graphics, a huge assortment of weapons to use, and mysteries to solve, OTXO has a huge amount of replayability!
Get on Steam"OTXO is a single-player shooter game with top-down perspective and roguelite elements, featuring an interesting plot and ingenious mechanics. You play as the protagonist on a mission to find your lost love in a mysterious mansion filled with deadly enemies. The game boasts fantastic graphics, splendid soundtrack, and high replayability, offering a massive variety of guns, abilities, and rooms in every run."
Reviews
- Fast-paced and addictive gameplay that combines elements of Hotline Miami with roguelike mechanics.
- Incredible soundtrack that enhances the overall experience and keeps players engaged.
- Satisfying gunplay with a variety of weapons and unique mechanics like bullet time and health bars.
- Repetitive level design and enemy placements can lead to a feeling of monotony over time.
- Some bosses feel tedious and can disrupt the flow of the game, making runs feel longer than necessary.
- Visual clarity issues due to the monochrome art style can make it difficult to identify hazards and enemies during intense combat.
- music367 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its high-energy, pulse-pounding soundtrack that complements the fast-paced gameplay, often drawing comparisons to the iconic soundtracks of titles like Hotline Miami. However, some players noted that the limited number of tracks can lead to repetition, especially during prolonged play sessions, which may diminish the overall experience. Despite this, many agree that the soundtrack is a standout feature, with some even considering it worth purchasing independently from the game.
“The music speaks for itself; even if you don't play the game, the soundtrack is worth it on its own.”
“The soundtrack is so unfathomably good that it 100% deserves its vinyl printing.”
“The music is excellent, too: moody, driving music that remains in the background but sets the mood with a cool bass-riff - sort of reminding me of Jesper Kyd's work, but faster-paced and with a little bit of electronic influence.”
“The repetition of the soundtrack due to you dying again, again and again will make you resent the music very fast.”
“The soundtrack has only a handful of songs and they get repetitive quickly.”
“However, the dull visuals, inconsistent art style, uninteresting and short plot, poor balance, lacking soundtrack diversity, small pool of floor designs, painfully linear gameplay and many other nitpicks I'd rather keep to myself, well, they really hurt the replayability and objective quality of the game, as well as its artistic, non-surface value.”
- gameplay333 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by its fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled action reminiscent of "Hotline Miami," enhanced by new mechanics like bullet time and a health bar that allow for more aggressive play. While many players appreciate the satisfying gunplay and the engaging gameplay loop, some criticize the reliance on roguelike elements and repetitive mechanics that can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game successfully combines stylish combat with a compelling soundtrack, making it a notable entry in the top-down shooter genre.
“The gameplay is incredibly fast-paced, violent, and stimulating, and the vast arsenal of guns is a treat to play with.”
“The gameplay loop is really fun, and the beats are pumping.”
“This game takes all the strengths and addictiveness of the gameplay from Hotline Miami and adds quality of life improvements, making it a must-play.”
“There is a fun game in here, but the punishing difficulty, totally broken economics, lack of enemy variety, repetitive levels, and lackluster story completely overshadow the gameplay.”
“The kicker though, is that the game has a lot of fundamental flaws that contradict the 'quick and brutal' gameplay style the game goes for - with the drinks also hurting the game in multiple ways.”
“The main problem with this game is how much it forces you to rely on the focus (bullet time) mechanic.”
- story99 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story in this game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it lackluster and simplistic compared to its predecessor, Hotline Miami. While some appreciate the intriguing premise and atmospheric elements, others criticize the writing as clichéd and the narrative as minimal, often overshadowed by the gameplay. Overall, the story serves more as a backdrop to the action rather than a compelling narrative, leaving players divided on its effectiveness.
“The story is a light presence, but it's always there, and from the people you meet, to the drinks you buy, to the collectibles you find, and even to taking a breather to fish for some extra coin; the mansion and its denizens are teeming with life that brushes the fur of a greater narrative beneath the thunderous roar of the weapons and visceral stains of red upon the tile floors.”
“The story is minimal but also just enough to create some intrigue.”
“The visuals are viscerally noir, the soundtrack slaps you in the face just right, the story and lore of the mysterious entity manifesting as the mansion and the Sisyphean task at hand (which is a meta-comment for the genre) is told well and with a grain of existential dread.”
“The story is nonsense.”
“The story is just about putting on the pretenses of there being a story in hopes you get fooled into assuming there is one and you're just not good enough at the game to unravel the secrets that aren't actually there.”
“This game's story blows and the writing is dry as hell; still a great game though because the story doesn't really matter, to be honest.”
- graphics83 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a striking monochrome and red aesthetic that some players find visually appealing, while others criticize it for lacking clarity and making gameplay difficult to navigate. Although the art style is unique and has its moments of charm, many reviewers feel it becomes dull and repetitive over time, detracting from the overall experience. The soundtrack is often praised as a highlight, complementing the visuals, but the limited graphical options and occasional visual confusion hinder the game's potential.
“The end result is a remarkable experience, lined by a distinct 'red-accented monochrome' art style and a truly vicious soundtrack (composed by the one-man studio behind the game! Yes, all of this was made by one person!).”
“The graphics are excellent and the gameplay is fun.”
“The visuals are viscerally noir, the soundtrack slaps you in the face just right, the story and lore of the mysterious entity manifesting as the mansion and the Sisyphus-like task at hand (which is a meta-comment for the genre) is told well and with a grain of existential dread.”
“The monochrome visuals resulted in a very dull and samey-looking environment, which was a lot of the appeal I felt with Hotline Miami where each level had a distinct color palette that made them immediately recognizable even beyond the level design.”
“The only issues I have now is that there are not many graphical settings.”
“Some gripes I have: the black, blood red, and white aesthetic is uncompromising, to the game design's detriment.”
- replayability46 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its variety of unlockables, customizable difficulty, and procedural generation that enhances the experience, while others criticize it for feeling repetitive and lacking substantial content after completing a full run. Many reviews highlight the fun gameplay and engaging mechanics, but note that certain design choices and limitations can hinder long-term replay value. Overall, while some find it highly replayable, others feel it falls short of the expectations set by its roguelike genre.
“Amazing OST, amazing gameplay, and tons of little secrets and tricks; tons of replayability.”
“There is a variety of guns to choose and master, and the procedurally generated levels and the roguelite game design keep the game's replayability high!”
“I would gladly recommend this game to anyone; it has infinite replayability.”
“The game is old and by playing it you realize it has quite the amount of jank (picking up weapons is a chore, the enemy AI sometimes just stops working properly and doors are busted beyond repair) and, aside from S ranking all levels, there’s only so much in terms of replayability.”
“It's decent, but feels very light on content and thus replayability.”
“However, the dull visuals, inconsistent art style, uninteresting and short plot, poor balance, lacking soundtrack diversity, small pool of floor designs, painfully linear gameplay and many other nitpicks I'd rather keep to myself, well, they really hurt the replayability and objective quality of the game, as well as its artistic, non-surface value.”
- grinding12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some enjoy the ability to reroll enemy locations and farm for resources, others feel that the repetitive nature of grinding can become tedious and detracts from the overall enjoyment. The gunplay and roguelite mechanics are generally praised, but the lack of replayable levels and the frustration of low health situations contribute to a sense of fatigue during gameplay. Overall, the grind can be fun but often feels excessive and detracts from the excitement of boss fights.
“The gunplay is solid, the drinks (obligatory roguelike power-ups) are fun to synergize and not too grindy to unlock.”
“It's pretty fun but my god is it tedious; some would say that's the whole point, but it's genuinely tiring to play this thing at some point and the novelty of boss fights dies out after you kill the inbred basilisk.”
“It's good but it lacks essentials like an infinite mode without bosses, and it's pretty tedious to play this thing without wanting to chuck your mouse away because you got killed by that frustrating boss or enemy that you just don't want to deal with.”
“In my opinion, the roguelike aspect brings the experience down a little, since going through the first levels to get a run going can be a little tedious if you just want to fight bosses.”
- atmosphere9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by its effective use of black and white visuals, creating a mysterious dreamscape that enhances the overall experience. While the music complements the ambiance well, some players feel that the limited exploration and brief story detract from the immersive quality, making it less memorable. Overall, the atmosphere is praised for its aesthetic appeal, though it may not fully engage players due to its brevity and lack of depth.
“Black and white colors really add to the atmosphere!”
“The music is great and fits right in with the game's atmosphere and its overall John Wick aesthetics.”
“Good atmosphere and music.”
“Regarding atmosphere, otxo does well creating a world of mystery and leaving little to nothing for the player to explore. There are diary entries, occasional dialogue, and gachapon machines that can give you minor lore details, but that's it. You're supposed to feel like you're stuck in a dreamscape in which time doesn't seem to go on and people never leave, but that concept falls short when you realize you can finish the story in less than 40 minutes. When push comes to shove, the story is very well put together; it's just not interesting enough to not be forgettable.”
“I know that the plot here is not much important, but for me, it really sets some mood and atmosphere.”
“- Speaking of sound, I believe adding a chill tune after finishing the enemies in a room would add to the atmosphere.”
- humor8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its absurdity and dark comedic elements, with players finding joy in chaotic gameplay and unexpected scenarios, such as reckless strategies involving alcohol. The combination of intense action, quirky sound effects, and playful references contributes to a lighthearted yet thrilling experience that keeps players laughing throughout. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its gameplay mechanics, making for an entertaining and memorable experience.
“And the rush of it all—there really is a rush—has made me laugh out loud after clearing a level.”
“It's hilarious to think that a top-down indie title that largely flew under the radar of nearly everybody does a better job of giving the sense of an intense firefight than games with far larger budgets.”
“The pulse-pounding music mixed with the heavy, loud bullets flying constantly keeps me laughing maniacally, especially when you start using some broken strategies within the game involving the drinks.”
- stability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -40 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while it runs well on the Steam Deck and has no major game-breaking issues, players report inconsistent enemy AI, occasional bugs, and janky mechanics that can detract from the experience. Some upgrades are also noted to be buggy or too rare to fully enjoy.
“The game runs great on the Steam Deck; the controls are responsive and the performance is smooth.”
“As of now, there are no Steam Deck indicators, but I can confidently say that the game performs excellently on the device.”
“I'm impressed with how stable the game is on the Steam Deck; everything runs seamlessly without any noticeable issues.”
“Long sight-lines you get sniped from, buggy enemy AI that is inconsistent; getting close to anything is a death sentence because the enemies run literal circles around you.”
“Most of the fun or effective upgrades are either buggy or are too uncommon to really enjoy.”
“The game is a bit janky/buggy at times; vaulting over tables never seems useful and corpse ragdolls sometimes spin around getting stuck on each other.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its strong optimization, offering smooth performance on devices like the Steam Deck without any indicators. Players appreciate the refined mechanics that enhance gameplay, making successes and failures feel more earned compared to similar titles. Overall, the visuals and audio contribute to an engaging experience that runs efficiently.
“Also must mention that it does run great on Deck; as of the time I'm writing this, there are no Steam Deck indicators, but the controls and performance run great.”
“Think Hotline Miami but with more aggressive and intelligent enemies, more guns, and more optimized mechanics.”
“It makes it feel like your successes and failures are the result of your cumulative performance rather than Hotline's system where you can perfectly clear a room only to get instakilled by an offscreen straggler that you missed.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional responses to the game are mixed; while some players appreciate the energetic gameplay and engaging soundtrack, others find the fast-paced mechanics disorienting and overwhelming, leading to frustration and a desire to refund the game.
“Between the extremely quick-paced gameplay, the punchy sound effects, and excellent soundtrack, never has a roguelike made me feel so energetic before.”
“The spas-12 makes me feel things without touching.”
Critic Reviews
OTXO (PC)
OTXO scratches a roguelite itch I've been wishing to scratch for quite some time. Its difficult top-down gameplay is made mildly less punishing by a slow-mo Focus mode, selection of guns, and wide variety of ability upgrades. Each attempt at playing Otxo feels unique, addicting, and fun, and I can confidently say that no two runs were predictable. Despite the lack of permanent upgrades, inconsistent storytelling, and some visual busyness when enemy density is at its greatest, OTXO is an absolute treat for those looking for precise gameplay in a roguelite experience. And it has a fantastic soundtrack, to boot. If you're wanting a new roguelite for your Steam library, look no further than OTXO; you won't regret it.
85%Otxo Review
Otxo is streamlined almost to a fault, but its got incredibly rewarding combat, fluid movement, and a great horror-inflected aesthetic.
75%OTXO
OTXO has some great action set pieces, but is hindered by a little too much chaos. It has a elements of promise, but many don't add up to a satisfying gameplay loop.
0%
