Since its release in 2015,Undertalehas become the source of inspiration for many, but most certainly game developers. It’s a unique RPG, sometimes referred to as an “anti-RPG,” combining bullet-hell combat with loveable NPCs that are meant to be saved rather than killed. This isn’t the first time a video game has done this, but the personalities culminating in a quirky atmosphere resonated with gamers more than developer Toby Fox could have realized, leading him to make asequel titledDeltarune. Please note that this article discusses themes like depression and suicide that some readers may find disturbing.
UnlikeUndertale,Deltaruneis releasing episodically. The first two chapters were free and are touted as a demo, but the next three are currently in development and will be paid. It’s unclear exactly when the third chapter will release, though fans theorize it won’t take as long asDeltaruneChapter 2as much of the development time went toward experimenting with games engines. SinceUndertale’s release and again now, players might often look for games with similar styles as they may not have access toEarthBound, one of the games that inspired Toby Fox. But the indie gameOMORIis the perfect game to play while waiting forDeltaruneChapter 3.
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What is OMORI?
OMORIis an indie RPG based on artist Omocat’s webcomic series of the same name. It follows a young boy named Omori, who enters a dream-like reality where he plays with his friends and goes on adventures. However, Omori is not the boy’s real name. Instead, the playable character is Sunny, a depressed child who escapes from reality with his alter ego. The game switches between the adventure Omori and his friends depart on in this dreamscape and the real world, where a teenage Sunny confronts the current relationship with his now-estranged friends.
As bright and happy asOMORImight seem at first, the real story is far bleaker. Without spoiling the game’s plot or endings, it depicts heavy topics like suicide, depression, and other mental health diseases spread across Sunny’s friend group. Still, the main gameplay is quite similar toDeltarune’s style of adventuring; the main difference is the combat style.OMORIfollows a style closely resembling JRPG combat by controlling a party of four, each of whom have their own battle skills. It also uses a rock-paper-scissors system with emotions, where some are strong to some and weak to others, and it greatly influences the flow of fights. LikeUndertaleand possiblyDeltarune, players can also receive different endings.
OMORI’s Relationship With Undertale and Deltarune
OMORI’s world is actually quite similar toDeltarune’s, more so thanUndertale’s, in fact. The Underground, the main location of Toby Fox’s first game, is what would be referred to as the “real world” inthe universe ofUndertaledespite the fact that Frisk accidentally fell down there at the beginning of the game from the surface where humans live, and it contains fantastical creatures. On the other hand, it’s currently unclear where exactlyDeltarunetakes place, but it’s separated by the world of Hometown and the Dark World, an alternate dimension that may be real or, as some fans theorize, all make-believe.
OMORIis quite similar in this regard. Sections of the game are split between Omori’s story in Headspace, a vibrant world filled with pastel colors, strange creatures, and quirky combat. But it shares more withDeltarunethan just themes.Toby Fox was brought ontoOMORIto compose a track, and Woshua, a monster appearing inUndertale’s Waterfall chapter, was inspired by Omocat, according to the game’s credits.
This is one of a handful of games that falls into a category sometimes referred to as ‘EarthBoundand Emotional’ alongsideUndertale,OFF,andYume Nikki. They’re all inspired by the nostalgicMothertitle and loosely based on the same ideas, but put their own spin on things. In terms ofOMORI, this meant exploring the minds of teens with mental health disorders and how it impacts friendships.
OMORIis out now for PC and is in development for PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
