OneShot | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Little Cat Feet |
Publisher(s) | Degica |
Programmer(s) | |
Composer(s) | Casey Gu |
Engine | RPG Maker |
Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
Release |
|
Genre(s) | Adventure, Puzzle |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
OneShot is a puzzle/adventure indie game released on December 8, 2016 by publisher Degica. The game contains metafictional concepts, which have been described by the developers as 'the world knows you exist'. In game, this affects the story, which separates the protagonist, Niko, from the player, who is their own character.
Overview
The game begins with a juvenile cat-person,[a] Niko, awaking in an unfamiliar and dark world.[1][2][3] He interacts with an computer, which addresses the player by their actual name (derived from the computer's login name) via a dialog box outside the game window. This leads to Niko discovering the sun, which takes the form of a lightbulb. Niko is soon made aware of the player's presence, and discovers that the player is a god, while he is the 'Messiah'. The player's resposibility as god is to help guide Niko - to this end, Niko contacts the player through dialog options. Niko can also rest, which causes the program to close; upon reopening, a short dream sequence is played. Both the player and Niko's eventual goal is to journey through the world's three areas while carrying the sun and reach a central tower.[4] Once there, they aim to place it on the top of the tower, therefore restoring light to the world.[3]
Gameplay is primarily composed of solving puzzles, involving combining items, and including fetch quests.[1] Throughout the game, the player encounters in-game computers, which signal that the player has to find content outside the game (for example, in the filesystem).[5]
Development
The game started as freeware; this version was made in a month, and released online on June 30 2014.[6] Its creators, Eliza Velasquez and Casey Gu, cited several inspirations for their work, including Hyper Light Drifter, Yume Nikki, and The Little Prince. After being featured at GDC,[5] the 'rerelease' came out two years later, on December 8, 2016.[7] On 28 March 2017, the rerelease was updated, with a new ending path that solved some mysteries that players had about the game.[8]
Reception
Aggregator | Score |
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Metacritic | 84/100[9] |
Publication | Score |
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New Game Network | 82/100[1] |
Hardcore Gamer | 4.5/5[4] |
OneShot received largely positive reviews, and was awarded 84/100 by review aggregator website Metacritic. Reviewers largely praised the game's story and metafictional content, choosing not to focus on the gameplay aspects. New Game Network gave the game 82/100, comparing it to Undertale and Pony Island, but pointed out that it would not be seen as 'revolutionary'.[1] Additionally, they called the game's cast of characters 'lacking', stating they were too distant from Niko. It was recommended by Rock, Paper, Shotgun; its reviewer said they had 'never played a game like [it]', and refereed to it as 'Completely charming, delightfully written, and extremely clever'.[3] Hardcore Gamer gave the game 4.5/5, and praised the game's story as well, calling it 'an unforgettable adventure'.[4]
Notes
- ^ The gender of Niko is ambiguous. Rock, Paper, Shotgun refers to a girl, while New Game Network, Kotaku and Hardcore Gamer calls them a boy.
References
- ^ a b c d Nicholson, Charlie (January 31, 2017). "Oneshot Review". New Game Network. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
- ^ Grayson, Nathan (December 11, 2016). "OneShot Is A Game Where The Main Character Knows Who You Are". Kotaku. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
- ^ a b c Walker, John (December 12, 2016). "Wot I Think: OneShot". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
- ^ a b c Rutledge, Spencer (December 7, 2017). "Review: OneShot". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
- ^ a b Makedonski, Brett (March 14, 2016). "The key to beating OneShot probably won't be in the game". Destructoid. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
- ^ "Oneshot, an indie Puzzle Adventure game for RPG Tsukuru 2003 :: rpgmaker.net". rpgmaker.net. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
- ^ "OneShot on Steam". Steam. December 8, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
- ^ Grayson, Nathan (March 28, 2017). "Months Later, OneShot Gets A New Ending". Kotaku. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
- ^ "OneShot for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved July 19, 2017.