I didn't know a thing about OneShot in the least when I booted it up last night. All I knew was that this game was rated overwhelmingly positive on steam, and from what little information I could glean from the steam description.
This game is overwhelmingly phenomenal, and completely deserving of all the high praise it's received.
I wound up blasting through the entire thing in one sitting, no breaks, and no google searches in about five and a half hours, and I loved every bit of it.
The puzzles are well thought out, if a little time-consuming (having to go back and forth and back and forth over and over again is a pain, even if you can fast travel, along with the fact that you might have just missed the one particular thing you need to finish the puzzle along the way, especially on some of the bigger maps). Nothing is wasted, and everything is given it's moment to shine. Puzzles have always been very hit-or-miss for me, but these were a major hit. (with a couple notable exceptions)
The game doesn't treat the player as a nonexistent observer. The player, as well as your computer itself, is integrated into the game as their own character and setting, which only served to further my immersion into the game's story. Chances are, if you've played or are looking at this game, you've played other titles like Doki Doki Literature Club, which also messes with your PC files and breaks the fourth wall. This game not only did that earlier, but did it better.
Out of every game I've played that breaks the fourth wall, OneShot is by far the best. They seamlessly weave each break into the story and narrative without feeling jarring or breaking pace or immersion, and it really does keep you on your toes. (P.S. if you have Wallpaper Engine running, turn it off while you're playing this game, trust me.)
The writing is fantastic. Every character is likeable while also being unique in their own different ways, Niko, our protagonist, is a phenomenal main character and absolutely perfect for this kind of story, and the main antagonist (no spoilers) is masterfully writen to the point that nothing felt wasted or missed out on.
The music is amazing as well. Each unique area has their own theme that complements the setting, from the empty Barrens to the dregs of the back alleyways of the city, the music sets the atmosphere instantly. (Though, note, perhaps each track should've been composed longer or able to loop seamlessly, as you can hear the theme loop quite often while you're playing, especially if you get stuck)
My only complaints feel petty at best, the most major of which being that this game is ten dollars for what was (for me), a 6 hour run time, and that was with no guides while also getting stuck. Either way, I got this on sale, so it's not even much of a complaint.
For a game that released ten years ago, it has aged like a fine wine, and by the end, I had a hard time believing that this was an RPGMaker game. Could've fooled me. We truly are living in an indie game renaissance.
I will gladly take a hundred more of these kinds of games filled with love, passion, and a whole hell of a lot of creativity.
