A profound journey through a surreal world
OMORI plays like a classic Japanese-style turn-based RPG, but beneath its deceptively cute and colorful exterior lies a system laced with psychological weight. Developed by OMOCAT LLC, you begin controlling a boy named Sunny, alternating between his bleak reality and a dream world known as Headspace — where his alter ego, “Omori,” reunites with friends, and adventures ensue.
OMORI immerses players in a hauntingly beautiful and surreal landscape that acts as both a playground and a prison of the mind. This game is distinguished by its distinctive blend of pixel art and hand-drawn illustrations, creating an aesthetic that enhances emotional depth.
Emotionally charged gameplay
OMORI’s mechanics merge traditional RPG elements with a unique turn-based battle system. At its core lies the story of a young boy grappling with themes of friendship, guilt, and forgotten memories, inviting players into an introspective journey. The inclusion of emotional states significantly impacts character stats and abilities, adding strategic depth to encounters. Its mechanics of using emotions to alternate between attack power, defense, and speed during turn-based battles is a distinguishable feature from other games.
Additionally, each playable character possesses distinct skills: Omori uses knives, Kel uses projectiles, Aubrey uses blunt weapons such as bats or hammers, and Kel uses support items and culinary-adjacent skills. This teamwork between characters fosters a dynamic combat experience as players face the complexities of their intertwined stories. However, the game doesn’t shy away from subverting comfort as it occasionally breaks from traditional RPG, distorting visuals, using abrupt shifts in tone, and embracing horror elements.
A layered narrative experience
OMORI alternates between two distinct worlds that mirror the protagonist’s inner and outer realities, namely the Headspace and the Faraway Town. This dual-world structure is a key point in the game’s story, as it relies on symbolism, parallel storytelling, and player interpretation. This complexity contributes to the game's rich narrative that requires patience and engagement, since this design choice aligns with the game’s psychological themes.
This emotional game encourages replay as choices you make, how much you explore, and even seemingly minor actions can influence endings. The reveal of truths shapes different outcomes. Between optional side quests, hidden secrets, subtle lore fragments, and the emotional layering of the story, each playthrough can feel different, especially if you’re looking to unearth every memory, every hidden truth. That said, pacing issues exist, and its heavy themes may be emotionally difficult for some.
A hauntingly beautiful RPG journey
OMORI is a masterful blend of classic turn-based RPG mechanics and deeply psychological storytelling, immersing players in a dual-world experience that explores guilt, friendship, and memory. Its unique emotional combat system and layered narrative provide both strategic depth and emotional resonance. While the heavy themes, occasional pacing issues, and abrupt tonal shifts may challenge some players, the game’s artistry, replayability, and thought-provoking storytelling make it a standout indie RPG experience.
