OmegaBot Review

OmegaBot is a 2D action platformer where players as the titular character will have to dodge metallic dangers, acquire powerful weapons, and blast their way through a ravaged world full of deadly machines. Careful. Running out of energy will prove fatal.

This little action platformer is linear-centric with some hidden paths to treasures. By default, you have your trusty firearm, akin to Mega Man’s arm cannon. But you are limited in your continuous usage. Your character relies on two batteries. When both are full, you shoot stronger, bigger bullets. Once the first battery drains you, you shoot smaller, faster pellets. But if both are empty, you can’t defend yourself and you move twice as slow, leaving you an easy target.

Thankfully batteries quickly refill over time so you can defend yourself and get out of danger pretty quickly. Early on, instead of a double jump, if you want to get over bigger gaps, you need to shoot down to get enough momentum to reach the other side. Akin to Mega Man, killing bosses also rewards you with some additional firepower that’s also dependent on your battery and offers two types of firepower depending on your battery level. And also new skills such as double jump and a dash.

The game does have a few problematic nuisances. The first being while this feels like a Metroidvania-lite game, there’s no map, no guidance, no direction; nothing. Some areas do seem to have one or two ways to go, but without a map, you can’t really know what’s the best way to go on about your adventure. The attacking mechanic is also incredibly annoying and hinders more than anything else. Also, the fact that you’re constantly being pushed by the momentum when shooting is annoying. Also, the spacing between checkpoints is completely ridiculous and random. Somethings you’ll get 2 checkpoints within 2-4 screens. Sometimes, you’ll cross 10 screens without seeing one meaning that if you die, you go all way the back.

OmegaBot’s visuals are definitely one of the game’s strong points. It looks great in all its 2D 8-bit pixelated glory. Each area is uniquely designed in terms of visuals and colors. OmegaBot has a cute design and the enemy variety is surprisingly decent. The soundtrack however feels completely out of place. When I started the game, I was expecting a guitar-heavy/centric score akin to Mega Man’s soundtracks, but it’s a relaxing, soothing score that is a ballsy contrast but takes you out of the action.

I really wanted to like OmegaBot because I’m a sucker for this type of game, but for this little bot, everything just falls flat. OmegaBot’s attack is more of a hindrance instead of a challenge, the soundtrack is just a snooze-inducing score mixed with an action game. While most of the nuisances can be overlooked, if you make a game where your weapon feels more like another obstacle rather than an advantage, you’re kind of not really understanding the point of having a weapon. Given that there are so many better options out there, OmegaBot is an easy pass.