OMORI

About

OMORI is a psychological horror game developed by OMOCAT. Originally derived from OMOCAT's previous projects, players explore the titular character's worlds with his friends in a surreal RPG setting featuring turn-based combat and status effects based on human emotions. OMORI memes, fan art and other online content surrounding the game have become prevalent throughout the years following its release.

History

OMOCAT,^[1] the creator of OMORI, first created a blog titled "omoriboy"^[2] beginning in December 2011 and ran it until March 2012. In the blog, OMORI is described as a "depressed otaku" living in White Space, lamenting life. After the blog finished, more backstory was given into his story in the coming years through a short story, a sketchbook, and an unfinished graphic novel. However, according to OMOCAT, it was always envisioned as a video game.^[3]

OMORI Kickstarter

On April 21st, 2014, the Kickstarter page for the game OMORI was launched.^[4] The initial goal of $22,000 and the first stretch goal of $30,000 was met in just three days.^[5] During the Kickstarter funding, the first prototype was seen at the GR2 Gallery in May.^[6] Two months after, on June 5th, 2014, OMORI was successfully funded meeting almost all stretch goals and securing a total of $203,300 pledged.^[7]

Kickstarter Controversy

Many delays and challenges affected the development of the game, including complete overhauls of the game's engine from RPG Maker VX Ace to RPG Maker MV,^[8] to complete redirection of the hand-drawn artstyle.^[9] The initial release date from 2015 was pushed into 2017, the end of 2019, until the actual release date of December 25th, 2020. Many accused OMOCAT as running an exit scam, due to lack of updates and no response to concerns by various backers. It was later discovered the funds were exhausted and additional funding was taken from OMOCAT's fashion shop.

Gameplay

Emotions

OMORI uses a traditional RPG overworld and turn-based combat where upon engaging an enemy, the player may choose to fight or use various skills specific to each party member to help strategize their situation. Each member starts off neutral, and can be made happy, sad, or angry. Special emotions exist in circumstances, and every emotion has a special effect and can be further stacked for more effect.^[10]

Kel, (seen above), is Happy meaning luck and speed is increased, but his hit-rate is decreased.

Tagging

At any time, the player can switch party leaders for certain conditions and each member has a specific role. OMORI can slash obstacles, Aubrey can swing her weapon to break open objects, Kel uses a ball to throw, and Hero uses his charisma to persuade others.^[11]

Hangman

Throughout the game, the Player will come across keyboard buttons across headspace for a game of "Hangman." The buttons are crucial both for uncovering the story and for unlocking certain endings. The buttons are given hints to where they are and incorrect buttons are discarded.^[12]

Plot

Four years after his sister's accidental death, Sunny, a social recluse, encapsulates himself in his dreams by creating a safe space in an attempt to repress his psychological trauma. In doing so, he develops an alternative personality of himself called OMORI, who is more juvenile and impassive but acts as a safeguard from the truth. As Sunny spends less time in real life, his dream world expands, constructing more surreal encounters, often including ideations of past friends and experiences. This does not last, however, as more stress seeps into Headspace through apparitions and later malevolent forces. In addition, his family's relocation casts a comprehensive dilemma compelling Sunny to choose to continue dwelling in his dream world as OMORI, or to finally atone and liberate himself. The player's decisions before the move will determine the overall ending.

Cast

Sunny, is the main protagonist of OMORI. Originally, he was a reserved boy who cared deeply for his friends and family. He also was an inspired violinist who performed with his sister, Mari. Ever since the death of Mari, Sunny isolated himself from society and spends time in his dream world, which spawned an alter-ego of himself called OMORI and is haunted by a figure named SOMETHING throughout the game.

OMORI is the deuteragonist of OMORI. Despite being selectively mute, his personality can be described as straightforward and knowledgeable, as all his thoughts are portrayed in the encyclopedia of enemies. And he can also be depressive, stone cold, and pensive from his reclusive ways and moveset. His weaponry of choice is a chef's knife which is originally pristine, later deteriorates from wear and tear.

Dream Basil, is the missing link behind OMORI's events and accomplice witness to Sunny's manslaughter. His disappearance is the reason for OMORI and his friend's adventures in Headspace. Dream Basil is a horticulturist, planting flowers that correspond to what he believes best suits his friends and is very sentimental, keeping an instant camera always ready to take a photo for his albums. Real World Basil, is the opposite. He is emotionally exhausted and wracked with guilt, which makes him a frequent target for bullying. While not as closed off as Sunny, he still isolates himself from others. Real World Basil copes with his pain by forcing positivity, which manifests into a figure named STRANGER.

Dream Mari, is OMORI's older sister. She is frequently seen near a picnic, where the player can participate in her resting spot. She also keeps track of the game's quests. Mari is affectionate to her peers, and mysterious, having the ability to teleport anywhere for a picnic. She additionally can be playful, pulling tricks and having a laugh at her friends. It is later revealed that similarly to OMORI and Sunny, Dream Mari coexists with Spirit Mari. Dream Mari is Sunny's depiction of his late sister's positive attributes. Spirit Mari, is Sunny's deceased older sister, appearing as a ghostly figure who appears in the dream world retaining her compassionate traits. She calls out for Sunny through OMORI and aides him in both the real world and headspace. She teaches Sunny coping mechanisms in battle and asks Sunny to forgive himself for what he has done.

Dream Kel, is OMORI's friend and the brother to Hero. He is mischievous and rowdy frequently butting heads with Aubrey. He uses his competitiveness to his advantage in battle, making friends and foes angry and acts as the DPS role. Despite being disruptive, he genuinely has a good relationship with his brother and friends. His weaponry of choice are various sphere-shaped objects with his default weapon being a rubber ball. Real World Kel, is Sunny's childhood friend and next-door neighbor. Just like his brother, Real World Kel strives to be the voice of reason and positive influence to his friends. When Basil was a victim of bullying, Kel attempts to defuse the situation and tries to reconnect with Sunny before his move.

Dream Hero, is OMORI's friend and the brother to Kel. He is the oldest of the friends and acts as the conciliator for Kel and Aubrey's antics. In battle, he serves the support role, healing friends and debuffing enemies. Hero is also seen as charismatic, persuading NPCs and enemies with his charms. His weaponry of choice are cooking utensils with his default weapon being a spatula. Real World Hero, is Sunny's childhood friend and brother to Kel, who looks up to him very much. Kel and Hero contrast each other in tidiness and talent, with Kel expressing a small extent of jealousy over his brother. Being in College, Hero is absent until Sunny's second day before his move. It is implied Mari and Hero had a romantic relationship with each other, until her death, which Hero fell into a deep depression.

Dream Aubrey, is OMORI's childhood friend. Characteristically, she is optimistic, generally friendly and boisterous when situations with Kel transpire. Being the group's tank, she has the resilience and strength to smash large objects when tagged. Her weaponry of choice are blunt instruments with her default weapon being a stuffed toy named "Mr. Plantegg". it has been implied Aubrey had romantic feelings for OMORI, and vice versa. Real World Aubrey, is Sunny's childhood friend, later drifting apart due to Mari's death. She has turned into a delinquent, with her own set of friends and new radical change in appearance. Real World Aubrey is bitter, troubled, and prone to be more violent. She acts antagonistic towards her old friends and as a bully to Basil. Aubrey, too, has an estranged relationship with her family. With her father's absence and mother's unemotional in-game dialogue.

Reception

The game has been praised for its unique hand-drawn animation, soundtrack, amount of characters, impactful story, and the handling of mental illness. As of February 2021, user reception on Steam is "Overwhelmingly Positive" with 6.142 submitted scores.^[13] On Metacritic, OMORI sits at 88 for critic reviews, and 9.1 for User Score.^[14]

Online Relevance

In August 2013, the @omori_game Twitter page^[15] was created followed by the official OMORI Facebook page.^[16]

Fandom

On Apr 24, 2014, the /r/OMORI^[17] subreddit was launched for discussion of the game, amassing over 13,950 users over the next years. On April 11, 2017, the fan-made OMORI Discord was launched, gathering over 13,740 followers as of 2021.^[18]

On YouTube

YouTuber ManlyBadassHero uploaded a Let's Play series of the game three days after release, garnishing over 500,000 views on his first video (Shown below, left). On February 6, 2021, Hololive EN Member, Mori Calliope started her own playthrough of the game, gathering 260,000 views in the following week (Shown below, right)

Other notable YouTubers have released videos and reviews about the game, such as NitroRad, The Rpg Monger, and Takune, going into detail about the history and lore of the game.

Related Memes

"Ayo the Pizza Here"

Ayo the Pizza Here refers to a viral vine by CalebCity in which he comically falls down the stairs. Due to staircases being a very shocking/monumental part of the game, it has been a fandom in-joke.

Sus Jerma

Due to the release date of OMORI and the popularity of the When The Imposter is Sus/Sus Jerma meme, both have been arranged together as the fanbase has juxtaposed certain characters and situations with "Sus" sometimes being an in-game emotion or adding the uncanny smile to their sprites.

Fan Art

Search Interest

External References