Uh… Hm. This may be a damning technique to open a overview, however not each video games must set your loins alight. I feel a recreation business the place each title is tripping over one another in an try to be essentially the most significant expertise you will have had could be fairly depressing. Builders ought to have enjoyable with the artistic course of. It needs to be fulfilling to them. In any other case, we’d simply be getting our leisure from employees on an meeting line. That’s not how artwork works.

This may be apparent, however I say that as a result of Orbo’s Odyssey didn’t combust my crotch. I performed it as a result of I just like the minimize of the developer’s jib. Feverdream Johnny might be greatest identified for his or her work on Nowhere, MI. They’ve partnered with Ben Drury for this form of spin-off or sequel to Peeb Adventures. So, I assume I’m right here to spectate the artistic course of moderately than have my genitals gelatinized. With that stated, it’s nonetheless a enjoyable time.

Orbo’s Odyssey (PC)
Developer: Feverdream Softworks
Writer: Feverdream Softworks
Launched: August 21, 2023
MSRP: $6.99

Orbo’s Odyssey opens with the eponymous meeple getting locked of their boss’s workplace together with Peeb. The door isn’t locked, however neither of them has arms, to allow them to’t work the doorknob. I can suppose of some methods round this concern, however they resolve the one two choices are to both look forward to the boss to return to the workplace (which he by no means does, typical supervisor) or use a tool to craft a prosthetic arm able to manipulating a door. I assume they don’t have buttcheeks, both.

They should gather little Gear Components which can be conveniently positioned in product portals discovered within the boss’s workplace. So, you’ve bought a bit of downside, a bit of hubworld, and Orbo’s Odyssey is a bit of platformer. It’s a micro-collect-a-thon. There are 5 gears in every world, and it takes a bit of over an hour to finish.

Or perhaps I’m simply superb. I used to be advised the controls are simple to study and laborious to grasp, however I had it down from the phrase “go.” Truly, perhaps I used to be simply advised that so I’d be ok with myself. In that case, it labored.

Journey vs. Odyssey

Past operating and leaping, you may launch your self via the air like a rocket. That is the large idea to wrap your head round, as whereas there’s extra to Orbo’s Odyssey than simply going ballistic, it’s all centered round your jet pace. There are time trials, puzzles, and battles, however they’re principally all solved by ramming your head into them.

The true attraction is within the dreamlike visuals. Effectively, I say “dreamlike,” however my desires normally contain much more noodles. Feverdream Softworks appears to dream about Draculas and businessmen. Their dreamworld is an terrible little place the place an unconvincing façade and terrible company tradition combine into one thing inhuman and alienating. Particularly while you think about all the home music that performs overtop.

There’s a variety of screwing round available. Scouring environments reveals a variety of unusual shows, making it really feel virtually like a wax museum or an I Spy ebook.

For those who look laborious sufficient, you may see a few of Feverdream Johnny’s trademark nightmarish existentialism. This probably ties into the greeted Feverdream universe, however I can’t declare to be intimately acquainted sufficient to know for positive. Standing aside, it’s principally simply affirmation that your discomfort is warranted. It reminds you that it may not be raining, however you’re standing thigh-deep in a leech-filled swamp. It’s the great things.

Field quote

Due to its brevity and kooky apathy, it’s laborious to actually give a variety of suggestions on Orbo’s Odyssey. It neither dissatisfied nor exceeded expectations. I doubt I’ll be doing an annual playthrough, however I’ll nonetheless be there for Feverdream Softworks’ subsequent recreation. It’s not that costly, and it’s perhaps more healthy for you than consuming a whole bucket of ice cream by your self. Maintain on, I can do higher. Right here’s an excellent field quote:

“Orbo’s Odyssey is an enough cause to place your fingers throughout your mouse and keyboard.”

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}