The World Ends in Ohio

This is a sidescrolling RPG, not a MV. It's also extremely low quality. Don't buy.

Side scrolling shooter, RPG. Has a lot of features that make older games fun - focused story, encourages exploration/thinking, funny dialogue, not too easy/hard. Drawbacks are bugs (for example, bullet travels during pauses), UI is sometimes not intuitive but functional, sometimes graphics are a bit hard to see. But overall great experience and the positives by far outweigh the negatives. I went the nice guy route, but wish I went with the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ ending instead.

I'm from Cleveland, so it was a must buy. The dialogue had me LAUGHING immediately. A silly depiction of the city that I really enjoy, no matter how true/untrue things may seem!

The World Ends in Ohio is an ambitious indie action RPG that mixes metroidvania exploration, detective storytelling, and science fiction into an adventure that feels refreshingly unconventional. Developed and published by PDS Games, the title transforms the seemingly ordinary landscapes of Ohio into the stage for an escalating conspiracy filled with disappearances, mysterious forces, and unsettling encounters. Rather than relying on fantasy kingdoms or distant planets, the game embraces familiar streets, neighborhoods, and landmarks, using their everyday appearance to strengthen the impact of the increasingly bizarre events unfolding around the player. This grounded approach gives the story a unique identity and makes the central mystery feel more personal as the truth slowly reveals itself through exploration and investigation. The gameplay revolves around a satisfying blend of exploration and combat that rewards curiosity. As players venture through interconnected environments, they gradually unlock new abilities and equipment that allow access to previously unreachable areas, following the classic metroidvania formula while maintaining the progression of an action RPG. Hidden pathways, optional discoveries, and valuable upgrades encourage players to thoroughly examine every location instead of simply moving toward the next objective. The steady flow of new weapons and gear keeps progression engaging, making each major discovery feel meaningful and reinforcing the sense that exploration is always worthwhile. Combat offers enough flexibility to let players develop a fighting style that suits their preferences. Whether choosing to specialize in close-range encounters or relying on ranged attacks and different equipment combinations, the game provides multiple ways to approach battles. The customization system extends beyond weapons by allowing players to improve their character through skills and equipment choices that influence both offense and defense. This freedom prevents combat from becoming repetitive while supporting experimentation throughout the adventure. The mechanics appear approachable for newcomers while still providing enough depth to satisfy players who enjoy refining their builds over time. The narrative is one of the game's strongest assets because it places considerable emphasis on player choice. Conversations are more than simple exposition, allowing players to shape their protagonist's personality through dialogue decisions that range from cooperative and empathetic to sarcastic or confrontational. These interactions contribute to the overall role-playing experience while giving the story a more dynamic feel. The inclusion of multiple endings further enhances replayability, encouraging players to revisit the adventure and discover how different choices influence the outcome. Combined with its detective themes and gradual unveiling of hidden conspiracies, the story consistently rewards players who enjoy piecing together clues and uncovering secrets. Artistically, The World Ends in Ohio embraces retro-inspired pixel visuals that complement its mysterious atmosphere. The environments successfully balance nostalgic charm with a darker tone that supports the game's suspenseful themes. The soundtrack reinforces this mood by shifting naturally between quiet exploration, tense confrontations, and dramatic story moments without overwhelming the experience. Together, the visual presentation and music help establish a memorable setting where ordinary locations gradually become unsettling as more of the underlying mystery comes to light. The decision to base the adventure on real-world inspirations gives the game additional personality that separates it from many other independent RPGs. Although its slower investigative pacing and dialogue-heavy structure may not appeal to players seeking nonstop action, the game's originality is difficult to overlook. It confidently blends several genres while maintaining a strong sense of identity, offering a combination of exploration, role-playing, character progression, and mystery that feels distinct within the indie market. Players who appreciate story-driven adventures with meaningful exploration and branching decisions are likely to find plenty to enjoy, while those willing to embrace its unusual premise will discover an experience unlike the typical action RPG. The World Ends in Ohio delivers a creative fusion of metroidvania exploration, action RPG mechanics, and conspiracy-driven storytelling within an unexpectedly compelling real-world setting. Its engaging progression, flexible character customization, memorable atmosphere, and emphasis on player choice make it a standout indie adventure, even if its deliberate pacing may not suit every audience. Rating: 6/10

You can ♥♥♥♥ on people, worth every penny!