Onsen Master Review
Release Date: September 1, 2022 (Switch)
Platform: PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch (Reviewed)
Developer: Waking Oni Games
Publisher: Whitethorn Games
MSRP: $14.99
Onsen Master attempts to combine the chaotic fun of Overcooked with the charm and comfort of Spirited Way. While the overall presentation and gameplay provide plenty of memorable moments, a few stumbles keep it from realizing it’s full potential.
Onsen Master’s concept is simple, but satisfying: you play as Mu, an apprentice tasked with running an Onsen in the absence of his sensei. It’s a challenge he’s been preparing for, but still daunting nonetheless. You’ll see waves and waves of loyal customers, who Mu is happy to help and provide the relaxation and healing they all need.
The moment to moment gameplay takes a brief moment to get your head around, but is explained well. You must lead your incoming customers to a bath/hot spring, while preparing them with the corresponding ingredients (which must be mixed at your work station before dropping in the bath). Your supplies and are placed at random across the Onsen, so familiarizing yourself with the map quickly (and while working) is critical. Luckily, you can carry 2 different ingredients at once, as well as lead 2 customers at once - you’ll need to multitask, as you’ll also need to clean up the messes left by your customers as they leave, and clean out the baths, too!
Once you find your footing, the game’s pace picks up as well, leading to some fun and focused gameplay. It feels very satisfying to find yourself in the zone, leading customers around your Onsen and grabbing supplies on the way. Finding your groove amidst the chaos is the highlight of this game.
As the story progresses, Mu finds out that yokai (Japanese spirits) exist, thanks to Hitotsume - a one-eyed yokai hiding in his Onsen. Hitotsume explains that something has been off about the yokai recently, and they’re not acting themselves. You see this firsthand, as kappa begin invading your Onsen, kicking customers out of their baths and causing messes everywhere. Mu and Hitotsume decide to travel to every Onsen across their island, hoping to find Mu’s sensei and heal the ailing yokai.
The yokai add a fun wrinkle to the overall gameplay, actively antagonizing you as you try to help your customers. You can heal the yokai of their ailments, just as you do your customers, but wrangling them to do so is a challenge in and of itself. Their presence also leads to my favorite part of Onsen Master - boss fights. These encounters are found at the end of each Onsen you visit, and each require a unique way to defeat them. One involves dodging a charging kappa, or finding the real spirit amidst its clones.
Throughout these levels you’re treating to a delightful soundtrack that perfectly sets the tone of the game. It’s not overbearing, but flows perfectly with the sometimes breakneck gameplay. The traditional Japanese music fits the relaxing nature of the Onsen, but still has spurts to remind you to stay busy. The highlight of the soundtrack are the boss fight themes, which set the serious and dangerous tone of the encounters perfectly, in an otherwise charming and lighthearted adventure. This is coupled with a very charming, simplistic art style, reminiscent of Japanese paintings - its execution reminded me a lot of Okami, in the best way.
The game also has a multiplayer mode, which works well. It’s incredibly fun to tend to customers and clean up messes with a friend, and makes the overall experience much more manageable. Comparisons will be made to Overcooked, but I will say that Onsen Master executes this style of chaotic fun well.
The game doesn’t come without its faults, however. Collision detection isn’t always consistent, and can lead to you getting stuck in a strange nook or cranny that doesn’t quite read that way. I also ran into an issue involving a boss who’s routine never kicked in, halting my progression in the story mode entirely. I’m hoping this issue can be fixed once the game is fully released.
Overall, Onsen Master is a charming game that executes it’s premise and core gameplay very well. Beautiful music and a simplistic art style fit the concept perfectly. However, a lack of variety in game modes leads to very little replay value, and some deal breaking bugs put a damper on an otherwise refreshing and fun experience.
The Good
- Fun and fast-paced gameplay
- Charming setting and art style
- Joyously chaotic multiplayer
- Fitting and catchy soundtrack
The Bad
- Lack of gameplay modes
- Sporadic (albeit few) difficulty spikes
- Progression halting bugs