This review contains spoilers
I love the intent behind the project, but man, the execution of this game was so poorly done you just recoil and cringe. As someone who doesn’t play a lot of VNs, this is a game that tries to do more with its story than its capable of in its current form.
Unlike many talking simulators, your dialogue choices are of no difference to the story. All that changes is a few words and you’ll get a callback to them in the ensuing conversation a few minutes later, to convey the illusion that the game is dynamic. In reality, you are on a track for a fixed amount of time and no dialogue option makes any difference as to how those 40-60 minutes progress. The only truly “interactive” moments are the music videos where you can do things, but these are limited to the length of the music itself and seem to be there just for show.
This project seems like that it was shopped to Netflix (to make something like Bandersnatch), and when it was turned down, it was flipped into a game. I don't see why they (theoretically) would have turned it down - the audio quality and delivery of the voice talent is not lost on me. Neither is the fact that the assets are fairly polished and artistically consistent. If you can forgive the moments that the models literally slide from place to place, it’s not at all hard on the eyes.
The premise (being that you’re four people in SoCal trying to get together and make something for yourselves) is something noble, and elements of which I am incredibly familiar with myself. Specifically, getting the project done and distributing it, networking yourself as a creative, and dealing with interpersonal drama via DMs are all things incredibly online people like us can relate to.
None of the characters are caricatures or walking stereotypes, which defied my expectations in a good way. However the fact that all the characters have it too good and there are no real issues like housing security or what they actually do for money marginalize the “life” part of “slice of life”.
These characters have it easy - and seem out of touch to the Angeleno who might be working two or three jobs just to live in their home and pay the bills. Everyone appears to be solidly employed (even Luca, who found a job as a bartender immediately after being laid off), or in the case of Jey, a creative with a very nice expensive house and home studio that is either being funded by her parents or some incredibly successful career we don't get to notice until now. It doesn't conform to the economic realities of most artists.
Further, it drives me nuts that a lot of the story of We Are OFK was changed from the first time it was revealed. Back in 2020 at The Game Awards, viewers were treated to a virtual live performance by Luca and the rest of the band. You never get to perform as a band in We Are OFK, and I think the origin story is great and all - but where is that big performance you are building towards?
The fact you can’t change anything about the road you go down is the biggest disappointment though. You can't stop Jey from taking that stupid deal (but don't worry, she'll go back on it). You can't have Carter bitch-slap the person who touched her wrist. You can't have Luca fight for his job back or get something suited for his talents. You can't have Itsumi immediately dump her revenge date.
The game seems to have gotten all the attention it can organically obtain. As I said, it looks like a project that spent a lot of money and ultimately didn't recoup all of it. It could have done a handful of things differently to be more successful. Namely - it needed to be more relatable, needed more options for its characters, and needed to be more of a game.
Unlike many talking simulators, your dialogue choices are of no difference to the story. All that changes is a few words and you’ll get a callback to them in the ensuing conversation a few minutes later, to convey the illusion that the game is dynamic. In reality, you are on a track for a fixed amount of time and no dialogue option makes any difference as to how those 40-60 minutes progress. The only truly “interactive” moments are the music videos where you can do things, but these are limited to the length of the music itself and seem to be there just for show.
This project seems like that it was shopped to Netflix (to make something like Bandersnatch), and when it was turned down, it was flipped into a game. I don't see why they (theoretically) would have turned it down - the audio quality and delivery of the voice talent is not lost on me. Neither is the fact that the assets are fairly polished and artistically consistent. If you can forgive the moments that the models literally slide from place to place, it’s not at all hard on the eyes.
The premise (being that you’re four people in SoCal trying to get together and make something for yourselves) is something noble, and elements of which I am incredibly familiar with myself. Specifically, getting the project done and distributing it, networking yourself as a creative, and dealing with interpersonal drama via DMs are all things incredibly online people like us can relate to.
None of the characters are caricatures or walking stereotypes, which defied my expectations in a good way. However the fact that all the characters have it too good and there are no real issues like housing security or what they actually do for money marginalize the “life” part of “slice of life”.
These characters have it easy - and seem out of touch to the Angeleno who might be working two or three jobs just to live in their home and pay the bills. Everyone appears to be solidly employed (even Luca, who found a job as a bartender immediately after being laid off), or in the case of Jey, a creative with a very nice expensive house and home studio that is either being funded by her parents or some incredibly successful career we don't get to notice until now. It doesn't conform to the economic realities of most artists.
Further, it drives me nuts that a lot of the story of We Are OFK was changed from the first time it was revealed. Back in 2020 at The Game Awards, viewers were treated to a virtual live performance by Luca and the rest of the band. You never get to perform as a band in We Are OFK, and I think the origin story is great and all - but where is that big performance you are building towards?
The fact you can’t change anything about the road you go down is the biggest disappointment though. You can't stop Jey from taking that stupid deal (but don't worry, she'll go back on it). You can't have Carter bitch-slap the person who touched her wrist. You can't have Luca fight for his job back or get something suited for his talents. You can't have Itsumi immediately dump her revenge date.
The game seems to have gotten all the attention it can organically obtain. As I said, it looks like a project that spent a lot of money and ultimately didn't recoup all of it. It could have done a handful of things differently to be more successful. Namely - it needed to be more relatable, needed more options for its characters, and needed to be more of a game.