A fascinating roguelike, that can be equal parts intriguing and infuriating to learn and understand how to set yourself up for success Due to it's free-spirited development it does have difficulty curve problems when it comes to its elements of RNG and inconsistency on outcomes from the events that pop up, that you could've sworn you understood was universally positive or negative. The game could really do with a in-game database of weaponry and enemy ship types - you are very much fumbling in the dark whether your own armaments are adequate for the current situation or if it weould be wiser to stockpile some of your resources
This is a game from a time where player fun was at the forefront of mainstream game design. And in this regard TO succeeds with flying colors, by mixing a bits of Devil May Cry, Max Payne and THPS into a arcade driven cocktail that is just oh so simple to get into and enjoy. The only major drawback are its quite poor attempt at a open world implementation that sits somewhere between the ideas of GTA 3 and Sly Raccoon, but succeeds in neither direction. The developers were humble enough to see it for what it was, and made it almost completly optional, as you can very early just teleport instantly to the mission start points. Major bonus points for a licensed soundtrack that is both novel and has dynamic layering in the songs that gives a more intrinsic reward for keeping your kill combo going.
While the charm is undeniable and the writing is enjoyable and chucklyworthy, it's playability is hampered by numerous advances and lessons in game design and how to provide the player with sufficient info to piece together the puzzles. Their is a 'get a hint' system, but it escalates very quicly from things you already have narrowed down, straigh to the actual solution. Play it mainly if you are curious about the origins of adventure games
Very playable today. It had a lot of shortcomings even back when it was released, but the absurdity is timeless and is even enhanced by the the now very dated technology it uses. It's a forerunner for all those weird and experimental games that have made their way through Steam in the 2010's and that deserves to be experienced for anyone curious about this wonderful medium, outside of the big trends and mainstream.
