Indie Game Review: Off

Game: Off
Platform: PC
Developer: Mortis Ghost
Release Date: 2008

Off is an indie RPG released in 2008, that was made using rpgmaker2003. Alongside the RPG elements in the game, there's exploration of various environments, puzzles and a rich (if a little vague) storyline which leads to thoughts of what the true meaning behind the game is. The player controls The Batter, although it's made clear that the player is an entity of their own, and is not playing as The Batter but merely choosing his actions. As the plot is so vital to the game, I won't reveal anything major in this review.

The Batter starts in Zone 0, with the game premise being explained followed by a series of puzzles to gain access to the next part of the zone. There are 3 zones which need "purifying" by The Batter, each featuring a different element as their main focus and many cartoon like enemies which are fought in RPG style battles using normal attacks, "competence" moves and items. There are also items found and bought across the stages to improve the players stats, and that of their add-ons which fight alongside The Batter.

The battle system uses a time based turn system, where the player must wait for a meter to charge before attacking (as must the opponents). This makes the combat similar to turn based RPG's, although there are slightly different strategic options coming from this. Combat flows pretty well although every now and then you're stuck waiting for your attacks to recharge and hoping that the opponent doesn't attack inbetween. There's various status conditions that can affect battling parties, and The Batter and his add-ons can be levelled up to learn new attacks and gain more HP and CP.

Musically the game is very atmospheric, featuring some desolate soundscapes, jazz influenced battle music in places, as well as using layered whispers and more unnerving music later on in the game. Soundwise, important NPC's have their own soundclip when talked to, as well as battle sounds and other effects. These all add to the overall feel of the game and the immersive quality of the gameworld.

The environments are interesting to explore, and their meaning can be debated once the whole story is in context. Once all of the zones become purified, the game enters its second part; each zone can be explored again to gain a secret ending, or just to see the effects of purification before entering "The Room". I can't say a whole lot about the second part of the game without giving things away, but I will say that its heavily plot driven, featuring somewhat easier battles than the boss purification battles of each zone in the first part of the game (although this might have been due to overleveling on my part).

The character design in the game is interesting and its style, both graphically and in enemy design. The atmosphere can be somewhat unnerving sometimes both musically and with the appearance of gradually more disturbing enemies toward the end of the game. The plot is open to a lot of interpretation as not a lot of facts are given to the player, but it adds interest in having to figure out what's going on.

Overall Off makes for an interesting plot driven RPG game with a solid battle mechanic, engaging characters, enemies and storyline and plenty of room for working out what it all means, if anything. Simple both graphically and musically in a lot of places (although both have areas in which they are more detailed), the game's atmosphere draws you into the story, and experience. For this type of game, it has a fair bit of length and is enjoyable from start to finish, especially for RPG fans.

Rating: 80/100
Grade: B