Official Review Computer Updated

Omensight (Computer)
Official GBAtemp Review

Name: Omensight
Item: Omensight
Rating: 7.3
Author: Prans

Product Information:

Release Date (NA): May 15, 2018
Release Date (EU): May 15, 2018
Publisher: Spearhead Games
Developer: Spearhead Games
Genres: Action/Adventure
Also For: PlayStation 4

Game Features:

Single player

Local Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

Co-operative

The Godless-Priestess has been murdered! The end times are near! Urralia needs a new hero! As war wages in that once-peaceful land, is bringing back peace by playing Omensight worthy of your time and courage?

An Omen

Omensight takes place in the world of Urralia which is fraught with wars between the Pygarian bird tribes and the rodent colonies who call themselves Rodentians. Unbeknownst to the bickering tribes is the imminent destruction of their whole world by the great serpent Voden.

It was foretold that upon the annihilation of the land known as Urralia, a mythical being would be summoned to rewrite its fate. In Omensight, you control that being, known as the Harbinger, who is a silent and skilled warrior woman with a long, blue ponytail. True to the legend, the Harbinger was brought upon the land of Urralia to uncover the mystery behind the murder of Vera, the Godless Priestess, that catapulted the events leading to the land’s destruction and reverse its fated destruction.

Coming to the Harbinger’s aid is the Witch who has the ability to revert back time to the morning before the impending doom. This will allow the Harbinger to investigate several paths to uncover the train of events.

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A Sight

Taking cues from Majora’s Mask’s time-travel, Omensight allows you to relieve the same day from different perspectives by following four different key characters:

Emperor Indrik: Ruthless ruler of Pygaria waging war against Rodentia in the hopes to unify Urralia
General Draga: Humble leader of the Pygarian forces and standing by what is righteous
Ludomir: Impulsive and reckless Rodentian freedom fighter turned alcoholic with a strong bond with the deceased Vera
Ratika: Playful leader of the Rodentian forces and a good friend of Ludomir

What’s interesting is that as you switch between which character to follow during the day, you effectively switch between sides of the war. Characters who were your allies in a previous run of the day are now your enemies and vice versa. At several points, you’ll even have to resort to violence and manslaughter against your past allies to progress! Intense stuff! It was very refreshing to experience the war on both sides and learn more about each of their motives and even get surprised by the numerous twists as the story unfolds by following different paths. Indeed, Omensight is laden with plot twists that had me constantly reconsider who the good and bad guys were, so much so that I expected to see M. Night Shyamalan’s name pop up in the credits.

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Gameplaywise, Omensight is a God of War-esque button-mashing hack and slash fest spaced with some minor exploring and platforming sessions. The automatic camera angles were very reminiscent of the original God of War games to me. This choice of automatic camera even plays some tricks with the player by concealing hidden areas that the keen eyed player can spot for bonus items and lore tidbits.

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As the Harbinger rampages throughout Urralia, she will collect Amber which you can use to up her stats and unlock new combat abilities with some stylish moves. The fighting sessions are quite satisfying, allowing you to use the different attack types and abilities unlocked. Moreover you can even use your day’s companion to your advantage by requesting for his/her help.

The artstyle is cel-shaded of sorts, taking inspiration from various graphic novels and manga, most notably Blacksad, by Juan Diaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido. That’s primarily because the game’s art director is also a published graphic novel author/illustrator.

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However, despite being aesthetically pleasing, one cannot help but notice that the environments are reused as the Harbinger revisits the same day/location. Even if you choose to investigate a certain character’s activities again up to the “critical point” that the game allows you to, the locations are limited and feel more of the same in the long run. Although new areas open up as you gain the power to unlock Seals, not much feels different.

Additionally, I think that there has been a huge missed opportunity by not including local co-op in the game. This feature would have been very much welcome considering how most of the time the Harbinger adventures with an ally and having a friend partner up would have added loads of fun.

Omensight - Launch trailer

Verdict

What We Liked ...

Original plot with oads of surprising twists
Interesting way to progress by switching sides and following different characters
Artstyle
Satisfying combats

What We Didn't Like ...

No local co-op
Repetitive environments

Gameplay

Fun and fast paced hack and slash combat sessions with new skills to be unlocked for stylish attacks.

Presentation

Despite its likeable cel shading looks, the assets are reused as you revisit places throughout the game but the plot with its numerous twists is very redeeming.

Lasting Appeal

The way you progress through the game is left up to you by deciding who you’ll follow to solve the mystery but all paths eventually lead to the same ending.

7.3

out of 10

Overall

An original murder mystery with surprising plot twists packed in a hack-and-slash action-adventure game à la traditional God of War. However the repetitive segments and a glaring omission of local co-op could have been addressed to make for an even better game.

Reactions: PanchoCilantro, Yumi, SirBeethoven and 2 others

Reploid
May 18, 2018

If you were to compare this game's combat with other game of the same genre, what would it be?

Prans
May 18, 2018

Reploid said:
If you were to compare this game's combat with other game of the same genre, what would it be?

Do you have any games in particular in mind? I would say that the combat is one of the most fun part of the game being fluid and giving you the freedom to execute attacks to your liking from a wide range of styles, especially considering the fact that more attack/abilities can be unlocked.

DKB
May 18, 2018

The art style reminds me a lot of Zelda 3D games.

I definitely feel it needs co-op elements and more diversity with level design. I agree with this rating 100%. Reminds me alot of Necropolis. But overall looks fun to play just wish I could have a bro with me out there is all..

Reactions: Prans

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An Omen

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Omensight - Launch trailer

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