Author: Rich Meister
Platforming is such a versatile game genre; it can be simple, complex, rage-inducing, and even downright cathartic, depending on how it’s implemented. Omno, the new game from Studio Inkyfox, lands on the relaxing cathartic end of the spectrum and evokes the charm of games like Journey with its lush and beautiful scenery.
Omno: (PC, [Reviewed) Xbox One, (Available as part of Gamepas) PlayStation 4, Switch)
Developer: Jonas Manke, Inkyfox
Publisher: Studio Inkyfox, Future Friends Games
Release Date: July 28, 2021
MSRP: $19.99
In Omno, you play as a little onion-headed nameless pilgrim on a journey to some sort of implied paradise across a varying scenic world. You travel across vast plains, a desert, and even some snowy mountains following the trail of those that came before you to “The Portal.” The pace is slow deliberate a follows a very precise rhythm; in each new area, you’ll be introduced to a new traversal mechanic like gliding over surfing on your staff, and eventually, through utilizing your new skill reach a more open area littered with some simple puzzles to solve.
Each of these larger areas tasks you with collecting three orbs of light by solving some mostly simple platforming puzzles to progress. There are no enemies, and the only thing that might hold you up is a desire to collect 100% of the collectibles in each area before moving on, but even doing all that, the entire game can be cleared in about four hours.
The puzzles aren’t particularly challenging, but they are smartly crafted, and Omno is best enjoyed when you’re slowly taking in the scenery and the variety of flora and fauna you can read about in Omno’s codex.
Verdict: This isn’t the next puzzle platformer that will set the world on fire, but it’s charming and a relaxing game to curl up with one night. The art and music blend together to create something extraordinary to behold, and you’ll probably spend more time watching the strange creatures of Omno traverse the world than you will scratching your head over a puzzle, but it’s still well worth your time.
Buy it
Game Pass users should move this one to the top of their queue.
[This review is based on a retail build of the game purchased by the reviewer]