It’s impossible to oversell just how important OFF was to the indie RPG scene, not only by directly inspiring so many storied creatives. The themes tackled by off, as little as we can discuss them in this review, continue to shape the world of gaming today. That’s why it aggravates me to say I wish there were more of it. OFF is a rather quick play, especially compared to some of its contemporaries. This, in and of itself, is a strength, giving the player plenty to chew on as credits roll. Despite this, I can’t help but wish it got to spend some more time with those themes.
The ways in which the game lets you lay out your run are very satisfying, mainly handled by prophecies. After a few battles, you gain the ability to choose the enemy layouts, intensity, and rewards of the next fights. These choices grant some of that feeling of control, but the exact rewards are still left up to chance. As is the curse of rogue-likes, sometimes you'll just get unlucky. Being offered productions you can't afford and resources you don't need is maddening, but it adds to the satisfaction of a run where it all comes together.
No matter your preferred playstyle, the myriad gimmicks and game plans provided by Monster Train 2 will keep things fresh as you fight your way through the legions of Heaven.
Empyreal is a solid action RPG with soft rogue-like elements that manages to swing above its weight where it counts, but still suffers from some noticeable jank. The game still plays well and offers plenty of replayability, including a secret ending only accessible in a New Game Plus run. At the end of the day, Empyreal is a solid first showing by Silent Games, a team who clearly knows what they want to create. If you live for games where you can maximize the strengths of your playstyle while minimizing the weaknesses, Empyreal is for you. I see a second climb in my near future. Here's to hoping you'll catch some of what I've left behind.