There seem to be a lot of these types of games popping up recently. Dwarf Fortress and Rimworld have created a pretty popular sub-genre of management games, but sometimes it is hard to separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. Well, I think that Odd Realm has potential, and it is worth checking out if you are a fan of the genre. You have all the basics here; manage a small group of settlers, work the land, build homes, provide food, ect. So what makes this game stand out in a market that is quickly becoming saturated? For one, I think it knows what it wants to be. This isn't just a soulless DF-clone; it definitely has a unique feel to it. I would say that Odd Realm is slightly more focused on the classic RPG formula as opposed to some other games in the genre. There is plenty of equipment management and loot (if you dare to look for it). Another thing that is fairly unique about Odd Realm is the different races you can play as. This is a fairly overlooked feature, but it really is pretty unique among what else we have at the moment. Of course, being in early-development, only 2 races are currently playable. But they really do completely change the necessary play-style, and almost certainly improve replayability. I imagine this will only improve as the game continues development. The last thing I will say is that the graphics are all pixel based, and sometimes the font can be a little hard to read. Lots of little clusters of pixels that you will have to decipher. The art direction is strong, however. The last thing I will say is that the music in Odd Realm is nothing short of perfect. It is reminiscent of classic jRPG soundtracks, and I can't hear the opening theme without thinking about Mitsuda (who composed for Chrono Trigger). Is it worth trying out? If you are into colony management? Yes. It is promising, and I can see this becoming another classic of the genre. If that doesn't interest you, then it probably won't change your mind on the genre.
Don't get this game expecting it be a traditional old-school shooter like Doom or Quake, because that's not what it is. Think of it more like a survival arena; it is just you and lots (seriously) of monsters who want you dead. Get touched once, and it's game over. The appeal of the game is to make it as far as possible before dying and trying again; the longer you survive, the more brutal it gets. You will have to develop strategies for taking down the new enemies that begin to spawn, from simple enemies that constantly float towards you, to giant centipede-like creatures that soar above. So it's a good game for a 10 minute break, or if you are a high-score seeker. Also, the atmosphere and creature design is phenomenally good!
