Omikron: The Nomad Soul

Review

by Chris Couper

Omikron: The Nomad Soul is, by leaps, bounds and great units of measurement, my favorite game of 1999. Combining a fascinating story, amazing graphics and a breathtaking soundtrack, Omikron's immersive nature is its most appealing quality.

Having David Bowie as a member of your creative development team and as one of the major spearheads in your soundtrack most certainly does not hurt a game. Bowie's lulling, soothing and yet hard-hitting musical style actually sent shivers throughout my body. Hearing the title song New Angels of Promise for the first time was what got me hook, line and sinker. David Bowie and Reeves Gabrels have simply done an astonishing job on the Omikron soundtrack.

The most innovative feature of the game is spelled out on the cover of the box. "Who will you be after you die?" A sleezy stripper? A businessman? A seedy thief? It all depends on your last contact and who your soul enters after it exits your body once the character you are "inhabiting" dies. Noteworthy is the fact that not all areas of the game are accessible by all characters. If you think you're getting into the police station after working the red light district, honey, you've got another think coming.

There are over 30 playable characters in the game, some crucial to finishing it and others who are completely and utterly useless but who add a wallop of flavor to the game. Having these "useless" characters in the game is by no means redundant. You can still go to the characters' apartments and raid their fridge, see their lives and "become" that person.

I'll admit, I'm not a huge fan of the Tomb Raider genre. Jump here -- find secret entrance here -- repeat. When I first heard of Omikron, I was rather skeptical. I find games like Tomb Raider far too confining and set on a pre-determined path you have to follow.

Omikron, however, while adhering to the highly desirable puzzle-solving action-adventure genre, breaks free from the "go here, get the man a hat, trade it for a key, bring it to the griffin for a feather to make a bow with" style of games. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore games like King's Quest but I like to feel in control of the game. Omikron is all about letting you do what you want to do. Want to go back to bed with your wife? Sure, go right ahead. Want to explore the city, see the sights and take in a David Bowie (as a quasi Ziggy Stardust in his band The Dreamers) concert? It's your choice! You can even pick up the single on Transcan to bring home to listen to in your apartment! Despite the immense amount of "extras" in the game, at its root is still your standard "get this, do this" adventure game. You will rarely feel like you are on a track though and will always have free reign to go just about anywhere you wish.

The game also has a variety of modes. While there is normal adventuring mode, certain scenarios call for a first-person shooter approach or a side-action fighting style much like Mortal Kombat. While these modes lack the intricate design of games dedicated to dishing out a fighter or a FPS, it still offers very interesting variety.

Omikron: The Nomad Soul is a huge hog for hard disk space (suggested maximum install of 1.6 gigs) and is very graphically intensive. While older computers will not be able to take advantage of every tantalizing morsel of graphical delight, the soundtrack alone is enough to make you salivate. The game is meaty indeed, enough to spur you to upgrade your computer just to play it. The game is, and remains, one of my most favorite games of 1999 and all time.