OFF Reviews
Everything is off about the world of OFF, but it encourages you to want to know more about it, and it never feels like it’s just another game. The world and characters are memorable. If you have any interest in Undertale, Everhood, or other RPGs of the sort, I’d recommend not passing this up, as OFF inspired them all.
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.
OFF is a quirky cult title, with this version giving non-PC gamers and new PC gamers the chance to play it for the first time. The enhancements might not quite be enough to bring back returning PC players to the new Steam version, but there is stuff here for super fans, and it comes at a modest price point to boot. This is one of the more conventional “not for everyone” indie RPG legends, but I think it has the capacity to bring in a whole new legion of fans to the niche subgenre. All in all, it was fantastic to re-experience the game again with a different soundtrack and some nifty new bonuses.
Over a decade later, OFF maintains its status as a delightfully bizarre, compelling little narrative that will haunt you far beyond its 5–6 hour runtime. This timeless RPG benefits from the polish and updates in the remaster, but otherwise remains faithfully true to its incredible original incarnation.
Even those with little time to spare should be able to fit in a playthrough of OFF in only a couple of sittings. Even so, the weirdness of the game will sit with you for much, much longer. That is the mark of true art after all. Hopefully, the resurrection of this underground classic will generate some buzz that leads to more sales and success. I hope that such success prompts Mortis Ghost to return to game development to produce a longer, and perhaps even weirder experience. Though, is it possible for a game to be weirder than OFF? Play it yourself, and let me know.
OFF is best played with a certain mindset. This includes a willingness to be frustrated by potentially hard logic puzzles, a desire to be presented with hard questions, and a want to play through a beloved piece of recent gaming history. I had no idea what to expect with OFF, but what I came away with was an appreciation for the ambitiously creative, yet simple world and story design, and a strange pull to see the surreal story through to the end, for better or worse. OFF is truly one of a kind.
OFF is still striking to look at. Blending muted backgrounds with bursts of bright color for a surreal effect, the pixel art strikes a good mix between being simple and easy to remember. OFF adds small changes like smoother animations, particle trails that follow the Batter, and the widescreen mode with dynamic frames that we already talked about.
OFF is everything I thought it would be and more. It drags you by the eyeballs into a story of blind faith and utter despair, and does so with the single minded frankness of a serial killer confessing his sins. It convinces you to ignore the warning sides and drive towards the dead end of the road at full speed. You are shown, never told, what is truly at stake, and then allowed to do with that information what you will.
OFF is recommended for those seeking an unconventional experience, with a strong authorial vision and a passionate community always ready to theorize about the worldbuilding. It's a title that prioritizes emotional experience and atmosphere over complex gameplay or abundant optional content. If you loved Omori or Undertale, know that their spiritual predecessor will be able to deliver more than a few moments of joy in its brief—but intense—hours of gameplay.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Don’t let the 8-bit graphics fool you OFF has a lot to offer with its funny dialogue, a strangely atmospheric setting and solid turn-based RPG gameplay.
OFF is a fantastic RPG from beginning to end. The narrative is fantastic and manages to weave a dark tone with brief moments of levity extremely well, thanks to the great worldbuilding and charming characters. Further, the gameplay is paced superbly with a combat loop that never gets old. I do wish some of the puzzles weren't as infrequent and the new content in the remaster was easier to find, but with the other new additions to the remaster, this is the best way to play this incredible cult classic game that paved the way for future indie RPGs.
OFF’s re-release reaffirms its status as a cult indie RPG, blending surreal storytelling, eerie visuals, and a memorable soundtrack into a uniquely compelling experience, despite combat that still feels underwhelming.
In an industry rife with empty releases made solely to fill the table and works of art ruined by corporate greed, stopping for a few hours and experiencing a title like OFF is almost like a punch in the face, a questioning of morality in the form of a meta-commentary on the consumption of video game media, but at the same time, a reminder that the world is much bigger, and that real art is still worthwhile.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
OFF is a re-relase that, although timid and without major significant changes other than the new areas and bosses, still represents a surreal, unusual, fun and meaningful game, revitalizing and attracting a new audience to what is a true milestone for the modern indie industry.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
If you enjoy the quirky RPGs from developer Toby Fox or similar games such as “Earthbound,” then it's worth taking a short trip into the surreal world of “Off.”
Review in German | Read full review
Overall, I found OFF, while being a very unique game, not something that I would ever return to. There is an absolute GLUT of turn-based RPGs out there – many of which I would recommend before OFF. That being said, if you are really looking for something that does break the mold of your standard RPG, then OFF might be the exact game that you’re looking for.
If you missed out on Off over a decade ago then this is your chance to experience a weird and wonderful RPG that helped shape the genre.
Without question, OFF is both an incredible and influential game, beloved by many with good reason. This remaster not only improves on the foundations of the original but also manages to make it feel fresh despite working on a foundation of dated and often tedious mechanics. For players seeking a surreal, cerebral adventure featuring a well-spoken cat and well-set-out diametric art styles, this is the game for you.
OFF is an unnerving dream that steeps one foot into a fever-soaked nightmare. This surrealist approach makes it a truly trendsetting experience with how the characters, story, and visual presentation meld into a highly artistic personal journey that is not like anything else.