Since its release in 2015, Undertale has 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 a sequel titled Deltarune. Please note that this article discusses themes like depression and suicide that some readers may find disturbing.
Unlike Undertale, Deltarune is 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 as Deltarune Chapter 2 as much of the development time went toward experimenting with games engines. Since Undertale's release and again now, players might often look for games with similar styles as they may not have access to EarthBound, one of the games that inspired Toby Fox. But the indie game OMORI is the perfect game to play while waiting for Deltarune Chapter 3.
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What is OMORI?
OMORI is 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 as OMORI might 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 to Deltarune's style of adventuring; the main difference is the combat style. OMORI follows 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. Like Undertale and possibly Deltarune, players can also receive different endings.
OMORI's Relationship With Undertale and Deltarune
OMORI's world is actually quite similar to Deltarune's, more so than Undertale's, in fact. The Underground, the main location of Toby Fox's first game, is what would be referred to as the "real world" in the universe of Undertale despite 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 exactly Deltarune takes 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.
OMORI is 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 with Deltarune than just themes. Toby Fox was brought onto OMORI to compose a track, and Woshua, a monster appearing in Undertale'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 'EarthBound and Emotional' alongside Undertale, OFF, and Yume Nikki. They're all inspired by the nostalgic Mother title and loosely based on the same ideas, but put their own spin on things. In terms of OMORI, this meant exploring the minds of teens with mental health disorders and how it impacts friendships.
OMORI is out now for PC and is in development for PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.