We Are OFK Reviews
An uncomfortable blend of vulnerability and brand consumption.
Teen angst, a diverse cast, and simplistic interactivity accompany a real life music EP.
Even as the credits roll, We Are OFK is still an unusual game to describe. It’s an introduction to a band made up of fictional characters that aims to penetrate the real world and make a true cultural impact. We have no idea if this will be a success, but the story being told throughout its five episodes rings so true and feels so real that I can’t help but cheer them on. Itsumi, Luca, Jey, and Carter already feel like trusted old friends, people I’ve been through the shit with and can stand alongside as they hope to realise their dreams. In a medium where narrative adventures have grown rather predictable, this one shines.
We Are OFK incorporates elements of a visual novel and a televised biopic to tell an emotionally rewarding story about a band coming together.
Life blows up sometimes, especially if you’re trying to make a living as a creative. Art is extremely volatile under capitalism. But through support systems that uplift us, whether that’s pushing us to do better or joining our indie pop band, we come to find out that we are o-fucking-kay.
An heartfelt biopic that explores the highs and lows of breaking into the music industry.
We Are OFK is a poignant story of growing up in the modern era, where love and music go hand in hand to shape our futures and lives.
We Are OFK is a musical narrative experience that perfectly justifies its genre-defying position; the music is hot, the cast are hotter, and not only will you care about them, you'll care about hearing the next thing they do. It's exceptional.
Impressive efforts with a few noticeable problems holding them back. Won't astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash.
We Are OFK is an intriguing visual novel, which in its best moments knows how to suck the player into the emotional vortex of the story, while following the birth of a group that is virtual, but strangely realistic.
Review in Italian | Read full review
We Are OFK offers a spectacular audiovisual experience for music lovers, with a stunning art style and charming voice acting. The choices don't have as much influence over the events as I would've liked, but the execution of the game's episodic nature made for a touching yet thrilling narrative.
We Are OFK is not only a dazzling game about music, but a captivating story about the struggle found in juggling creative ambitions with the complexities of everyday life.
We Are OFK is an incredibly well-written game that stretches the boundaries of the medium. There's not a lot of traditional gameplay, but the characters are so well-realised and the writing so strong that even though there's not much for you to do during each of the episodes, the act of being there and listening remains highly engaging. Between the strong art and soundtrack, there's a lot to like, even if there's not a lot to play.
We Are OFK is a wonderful debut in both the video game and pop music scenes.
Undoubtedly set to be divisive, We Are OFK will garner fans in with its catchy pop tunes and emotional storytelling, but also lose just as many with narrative and character omissions, light gameplay and purposefully cheesy dialogue. Still, for better or worse, this is an experience not like many others. Captivating cinematography also paints a haunting if bittersweet L.A. narrative. Like a classic pop debut that its own self is based on, We Are OFK has heart and moments that'll reel you in while remaining plenty messy. If all else, isn't that how this road was always going to go?
The combination of a simple gameplay loop with great music has been proven to work in the past; two Australian titles immediately spring to mind in The Artful Escape and Video World. Both titles feature engaging storylines, compelling characters and enough actual gameplay to bolster their music; We Are OFK sadly falls short — or at least doesn’t consistently deliver — on some of those points. That’s a real shame too, because the music found within is superb.
We Are OFK doesn't quite hit the mark as an interactive experience, but it excels with a compelling narrative hook built on fantastic character and dialogue writing. It also doubles as a genuinely great EP by a virtual band that benefits immensely from the context its five episodes provide. This is a stark example of a game that is truly special, even if it's not perfect.
We Are OFK's glitz and glamour can only do so much for a game so insecure about its format and inauthentic in its intent.
If you loved the original Life is Strange, We Are OFK should be on both your list of games to play and most definitely on your music playlist. It's a banger, though it should be said, Debug deserves its own game.
It’s safe to say that We Are OFK won’t be for everyone. As far as interactive narrative adventures go, it’s one of the most passive we’ve encountered, feeling more like an animated TV series than a video game. Add in characters that are difficult to get to know and dialogue that’s likely to grate, and you’ve got an experience that’s tough to recommend. Thankfully, the excellent music videos do offer some redemption, and if you stick with it, you’ll eventually warm to its colourful cast. However you feel about them though, you probably won’t have played anything else quite like this.