OMORI

Was always a little skeptical of the OMORI acclaim because even after 3 years, it seems that none of my RYM/Glitchwave friends have rated the game? Clearly its fanbase for it are from another generation and that's not something that would make me dismiss the game, but it's just weird that it's rated so highly and in the top 100 of all time and yet so few people outside of the circle would care about it? But I'm glad I played it, and while not an all-time favorite, I did quite like it.

I'll always have a soft spot for 16-bit JRPGs. I grew up with them, I got the SNES for my 10th birthday and RPGs were my favorite genre on it and I completed most of them on the system. I was afraid this would be too much like Undertale (which I considered disappointing) and it does that whole psychological thing into the retro look, the games are actually very different. The main draw for the game is mostly the excellent story, which deals with anxiety, fear, suicide, regrets among other subjects. It can get pretty dark and the game does show that tone very early when you have to stab yourself to get out of the white space.

The art presentation is very good, while going for a 90s tribute look it does manage to look really nice and charming. The transitions between sections where you are dealing with your psychological issues is very nice, going from all bright and colorful to total darkness. A little bit of surrealism vibe to it as some of the events don't really chain up together, gives the game a lot of personality. And the characters too are all very memorable with their distinctive personalities, it's not one game that I will forget shortly.

So all that's great, but what about the actual gameplay? Well the game doesn't try to be the greatest JRPG ever, and that's definitely on purpose. Stats and equipment are minimal, strategies are simplistic between a few of the skills you unlock through leveling. I do enjoy the 4 character party with one of them being the healer (again, that's my nostalgia) but it's perhaps a little bit too simple for the 20+ hours you will spend with the game. The game is not very well balanced as gaining a few levels will completely change the outcomes, but also when it comes to currency it's easy to "break" the game if that's what you desire. But while all the gameplay is centered around this being a JRPG, it's kinda just there in order to make the story progress and not at all what the whole experience is about.

OMORI is a pretty special game for numerous reasons, it's far from perfect, but from the narrative side it is achieving things that not many games really attempt to do. I do understand how it has a strong fanbase too, since it's kinda niche and very special at the same time. If you are looking for one of the greatest JRPGs of all-time, well perhaps it's not going to satisfy that hunger for a classic Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest or Persona game. But it's very well worth playing and would recommend it if you are looking for a great psychological narrative that balances well happiness and sadness.