OhMyRace!

OhMyRace! is a simple racing platformer that is mainly about getting from one side of the level to the other as quickly as possible while dealing with obstacles and using weird powers along the way. I can play by myself or race with up to six people, and the whole thing has a very bright and playful look. The levels can take me through places like enchanted forests, medieval Japan and jungle temples, so there is at least some effort to make each race feel different. I like how quickly I can understand the basic idea because there is not a huge amount to learn before I can just start running. The powers are what make the racing more interesting for me. I can use things like rocket boosts, teleportation and a potion that changes my size, so winning is not only about having the best platforming skills. I have to decide when to use the powers and how they can help me get through a difficult section or catch up after making a mistake. This gives the races a nice bit of chaos, especially when everything starts happening at once. I prefer this to a completely straightforward platformer because the powers give me some options when a race is not going my way. I also like the fact that the game supports cross platform multiplayer and local multiplayer, while still giving me a solo option. That makes it fairly flexible depending on how I want to play. The character customisation is another small bonus, although it is not deep enough to become a major part of the experience for me. There are seven Steam achievements as well, which gives me a few extra things to work towards. The game is also free to play now, which makes the simple design easier to accept because I am not paying for a large premium racing game and then expecting a huge amount of content. The biggest problem is that the core idea is not deep enough to carry me for a really long time. The racing and platforming are fun when everything is moving quickly, but after I have seen enough of the environments and powers, there is not a huge amount else for me to discover. The procedural element helps keep races from feeling completely identical, but it does not automatically make every layout equally interesting. I can have a fun race one moment and then have another that feels more like getting through a set of obstacles than actually competing in an exciting race. I also think the game works much better when I have other people to race with. The basic mechanics are fine on their own, but the competitive side gives the powers and obstacles more purpose. When I am playing alone, there is less of that unpredictable back and forth that makes the concept appealing. The solo mode is useful for learning the game and getting comfortable with the movement, but I do not think it has enough depth to be the main reason I would keep coming back. The presentation is probably one of the safer parts of the game. It has a cute and colourful style that fits the casual nature of the races, and the different settings give it some visual variety. I do not think the graphics are especially memorable, but they are clear enough that I can see the platforms and obstacles without much trouble. The game also keeps the action moving instead of filling the screen with unnecessary effects, which helps when I am trying to react quickly. Overall, OhMyRace! is a fun little racing platformer that has a good basic idea but does not quite have enough depth to become something I would play endlessly. I like the simple controls, strange powers, different environments and the ability to play across solo, local and online modes. The free price is a big advantage for me, especially since I can try the whole thing without having to commit to buying it. The limited depth and reliance on multiplayer competition hold it back, but when I just want a quick and silly platforming race, I think it does a decent job. Rating: 6.8/10