OFF a cult classic reborn with a new, unsettling glow.
OFF is mostly known as “that old RPG Maker game that gave rise to Undertale.” That’s true, but the game is much more important than that in the history of independent games. OFF was made by Belgian developer Mortis Ghost and his team using RPG Maker 2003 and came out in 2008. It was only available in French at first, but in 2011, a fan translation was made available in English.
Now in 2025, Mortis Ghost has teamed up with Fangamer to make the cult favorite playable on modern systems like PC and Nintendo Switch. The remaster has better resolution, support for widescreen, new bosses, more material, and a new soundtrack by Toby Fox and others. The $15 price of this update makes it easy for both newcomers and experts to get started.
In OFF, you can play as both the Batter, a posey character who swings a baseball bat, and the puppeteer who controls him. From the beginning, OFF makes you think about what your role is: are you just controlling the Batter, or are you also a part of the “purification” he does?
It is meant to be unclear what is being cleaned and why. As you move through the world’s zones, a strange cat-like being called the Judge follows you around and gives you advice, philosophical musings, and comments. Each zone is based on a different vague element, like Smoke, Metal, Plastic, or Meat. This gives the game its unique, strange feel.
The Batter’s trip is full of fights with Spectres that look like goblins and tough bosses that are vague and also scary. Players can understand the story in different ways thanks to cryptic speech, cutscenes with hidden meanings, and environmental storytelling. This makes for a story that is both strange and makes you think, and it stays with you long after the play is over.
OFF is a unique and memorable experience because of how the Batter’s unwavering goal stands in contrast to your growing doubts about right and wrong. OFF lets you explore, fight, and solve puzzles all at the same time. You control Batter as it moves through different zones and interacts with strange NPCs. As you explore the vague settings, you learn about their history and gain new skills.
OFF updates the combat to make it feel more like a normal turn-based RPG, but it still has its own special features. The Batter is not alone; he can call on Add-ons, which are flying allies that help him fight and get better as they level up. Zacharie and other vendors sell gear, healing items, and upgrades. Hidden bosses and side content urge players to explore if they want to.
OFF also adds changes to the quality of life, like an optional 16:9 widescreen mode with dynamic art frames, subtle particle effects, and smoother animations that make the experience better without changing what the game is about. Small Easter eggs and changes to the surroundings will be noticed by returning players, while new players will find the experience cleaner and more polished.
OFF‘s combat is strange and seemingly easy at the same time. Competence Points (CP) give players special skills that they can use to fight, defend, or “compete.” Luck Tickets and Silver Flesh are items that heal and recover CP.
In this RPG, powers are based on abstract things like Plastic, Sugar, and Meat instead of fire or ice. A real-time gauge system lets the Batter and enemies hit at the same time, which adds a subtle layer of tension to the battles. Boss fights are harder, but even they don’t require a lot of complicated strategy, so most players can handle the battle.
There are puzzles in between the fight scenes. These puzzles make you go back and take notes because they often require you to remember codes, manipulate switches, or use your mind. Even though they’re fun to do when you’re not in a fight, the mechanics can get old after a while. Even so, the short overall runtime (5–6 hours for a full run, longer with extra material) keeps puzzle fans from getting bored.
Fighting is simple to learn but still fun. As you level up the Batter and Add-ons, they get new powers that let you explore and fight in optional battles. Grinding isn’t very important, but it’s helpful because it lets you try out new methods or get ready for tougher fights. Puzzles speed things up, but they can get boring after a while. Overall, the mix of fighting, puzzles, and exploring works well to keep the player interested while keeping the game’s strange and frightening mood.
OFF is still striking to look at. Blending muted backgrounds with bursts of bright color for a surreal effect, the pixel art strikes a good mix between being simple and easy to remember. OFF adds small changes like smoother animations, particle trails that follow the Batter, and the widescreen mode with dynamic frames that we already talked about.
With these changes, the world feels more alive without taking away from the game’s unique look. Each character, enemy, and area keeps its own weird, off-kilter charm, which keeps the player uneasy all the time and is a big part of what the game is all about. The original songwriter didn’t come back, so the whole soundtrack was made over.
Toby Fox and his partners made weird and happy music as well as music that was spooky and scary. Longtime fans may miss the raw, odd energy of the old tracks, but the new score does a good job of keeping the game’s creepy mood. Battle themes are interesting, ambient soundscapes help with discovery, and random audio quirks make the world seem even stranger.
Overall, the sound design goes well with the graphics and story, keeping the player in OFF‘s unique mood. OFF is still one of the weirdest and most interesting RPGs ever made. It stands out from other independent games because of its vague plot, symbolic graphics, and unique way of playing.
The remaster brings the experience up to date with new graphics, better resolution, support for widescreen displays, and content, while keeping true to the spirit of the original. The combat is smooth and easy to learn, the puzzles are fun, and the short length of the game keeps the pace tight.
Some fans might miss the chaotic fun of the first soundtrack, but the new music is strong and fits well. This remake is the best way to play a cult classic, whether you’ve played it before or this is your first time. This is the kind of short, scary, and thought-provoking game that stays with you long after you finish it.
