OOLO covers a broad range of environments across its interconnected world map. Over 400 rooms await the intrepid adventurer. I wanted to make sure I captured the sense of wonder and charting the unknown that I felt growing up with games like Solstice and Metroid. "What's around that corner? What's through that hole in the wall? How do I even get up there? Wait, there's an entire region I didn't know existed?"
The overall setting of OOLO is the Isle of Souls. It's the island in this world that lies in the middle of a vast ocean, directly beneath the glowing ball of fire known as the World Flame. Through this flame the world experiences light and warmth, and without it all would freeze in utter darkness. The flame continually burns down over a thousand years, and every thousand years an intrepid individual is chosen to go rekindle the World Flame.
This cycle that individual is you--OOLO!
Today we'll take a look at the first region you encounter on your adventure, and the region most prominently featured in the demo--the Lost Forest.
The opening rooms of the Lost Forest teach you the basic controls--moving, jumping, navigating obstacles, and avoiding the occasional pit of spikes. It's a (mostly) peaceful place you'll revisit time and time again as it is also at the heart of OOLO's map.
It also introduces players to core Metroidvania concepts--the unreachable ledge, the way the map circles back on itself, and, most importantly, how new upgrades you discover change the way you explore previous rooms.
In the Lost Forest, you'll find the Gloves of Strength. These allow you to push around the mono-colored boxes you see. Position them just right to gain access to new areas, or block enemies off to make a safe path. They open up the world just a little bit more, as does each subsequent upgrade you find.
"Enemies?" Oh yes. While the people who used to inhabit the Isle of Souls mysteriously vanished millennia ago, there are still creatures roaming about the place. Among the foes you'll encounter in the Lost Forest are the aimlessly-wandering Slimeballs and the path-patrolling giggling Pixies. One touch from any enemy in OOLO is deadly--tread carefully! Watch for patterns and ways you can alter those patterns with a well-pushed block.
At the center of the Lost Forest stands a mysterious temple, and in the center of the temple sits the Portal to the World Flame. Except... it's locked. You'll have to find six keys--one representing each element of Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, Light, and Darkness--to reopen it and make your way to the heart of the flame itself. But that's the end of your quest, and we've got a lot more ground to cover before we talk about what awaits you there.
Next time we'll be looking at the Catacombs of Despair. It's a secret area in the demo (have you found it yet?), but a rather prominent early area in the full game. If you've played through the slice in the demo you'll know a bit about what's in store for you there, but there's so much more.
I can't wait to share it with you next time!
Until then, how about heading over to
Wishlist OOLO and share it with your friends! Let's share the love of exploration inherent in isometric adventures like OOLO with everyone!
Ever grateful,
Ben "dariakus" Brooks
