I've many discussions about if and how video games can be interpreted as art, and it's games like OMORI that make me definitively say "Yes". There are rare examples of games that not only make me feel, but even change me as a person and OMORI is one that does so. OMORI will stick with me for years to come and I hope it's lessons can stay with me forever. I, like many, have battled depression and anxiety for years, it's not pretty, it's not romantic, and it's refreshing for a game to treat them with the respect they deserve, recognizing that they may always be there, but you can still have the ability to continue having a happy life with the help of friends.

I want to say this is one of the best games of all time, but that comes with a big disclaimer, it is not a "fun" game. It doesn't make you feel like a badass like Doom guy or Master Chief. It makes you feel painfully human, which for some may not be what they look for in a game, but for me, is what matters most.

The biggest negative of the game is the gameplay, I personally don't find turn-based combat fun (though OMORI adds a lot of quirky fun and engaging mechanics, so I find it acceptable in this case) and a lot of simple mechanics are clunky to use. Some examples being fast travel being a multiple scene dialogue where you can accidentally select the wrong option or quit out trying to skip past the same repeating dialogue, or that lower level enemies just become a nuisance later on, as you one shot them as soon as you can, but you still have to run thru the entire combat phase just to get past them (which if you're trying to be a completionist like me, happens often). An auto battle mechanic for low level enemies would be a nice addition here.

Now, if you're like me when I first saw this game and had no idea what it was, that is good, avoid all spoilers, avoid even simple discussions or seemingly innocent questions. PLAY THE GAME FOR YOURSELF. You will thank me and yourself later if you manage to avoid spoilers and play through the game learning the truth along with your character. If you are confused, sometimes that is how the game is meant to be played, don't be like me and check the wiki ;-;

If the trailer's music and art grabbed you like it did for me, you will continue to enjoy it as it's presented in the game, with many amazing pieces of art and music within the game itself. Some of the songs themselves make me cry, feel anxious, or like a total badass, and that's without the accompanying context, artwork, and story which further deepens the emotional impact of their usage.

There are so many other reviewers that put the emotional impact of this game better than me, but I truly just felt compelled to add my own praise alongside. I cried, I felt anxious, I felt scared, but I also felt hope. GET THIS GAME IF YOU ARE EVEN MILDLY INTERESTED!