Off

Whether it is your first time playing OFF or you are trying to recapture a memory, this remake invokes the feelings of wonder, amazement, and terror that captivated hearts and minds for over 15 years.

Playing OFF, you can see why it has enjoyed a huge cultural impact over the last 17 years. It’s a timeless piece that pushes what we believe to be standard video game convention, and the added content is a loving epilogue for long-time fans.

I remember during one high school lunch break, circa 2013, when my favourite webcomic was on hiatus and I had nothing better to do, I decided to follow in the footsteps of some of my Tumblr mutuals and download some weird game called OFF. It was quite a process; there were multiple files to download and extra steps necessary to get the game running, including font installations and a bunch of other stuff I would not have been able to figure out without a guide at the time. I lingered over the...

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.

Being able to revisit history in such a profound way as I did this past week is beyond rare. As a teenager in the mid-2000s, I was the perfect age to be online and embedded in gaming during ground zero of what we consider “indie” games. Games like Cave Story and Yume Nikki were life-changing, foundational experiences that changed the landscape, and you could play those games for free. Off was another prime example, coming a few years later but being such a unique, affecting experience it inspired the likes of Undertale. Games like Off showed what accessible tools like RPG Maker could be capabl...

A wonderfully surreal RPG, with some interesting thematic depth to match.

Even after 17 years, OFF is still an RPG that’s stellar to play and worth picking up, especially for Toby Fox fans who finally have a chance to play one of Undertale’s inspirations.

Fondly remembered, OFF is a surrealist, fever dream turn-based RPG that inspired many when it first released. Does this upgrade for modern appeal lose anything in translation or is it still an artistic masterpiece?

OFF represents pure, unfiltered artistic expression, and while I can’t fully piece the puzzle together, the process of trying is rewarding.

OFF is a decent remaster of a great game and ultimately stands as a worthy return to this watershed moment in the ‘weird’ side of the indie RPG scene. Its memorable story, engaging combat, and challenging puzzles all combine to make for a brisk and enjoyable RPG adventure that no fan of the genre will want to miss. Even though the additions in this remaster feel a bit minimal, OFF is overall well worth batting for.

As an old RPG Maker classic from 2008, OFF certainly shows its age, but it deserves respect as a pioneer in the indie RPG scene, and those successes still shine through in this faithful remaster of a cult-classic.

Overall, OFF is definitely worth the purchase just for the experience you have whilst playing it. It’s wholly unique and has you contemplating your actions and its world throughout and way after the credits roll. Whilst it may just have a basic battle system and puzzles, OFF is a masterclass in feeling and atmosphere, and this new remaster makes it even more accessible to a modern audience.