In a year packed with sprawling open worlds and overhyped blockbusters, one tiny indie platformer quietly slipped onto Steam—and instantly stole hearts. Say hello to Öoo, a minimalist, mind-bending game that’s managed the impossible: a 100% positive rating on Steam. Yes, perfect. And if you blinked, there’s a good chance you missed it.
Now's the time to fix that.
A caterpillar with a bang (literally)
At first glance, Öoo might not scream “game of the year” — you play as a tiny explosive caterpillar in a 2D world full of cleverly-placed traps and curious creatures. But don’t let the simple aesthetic fool you. This game is a compact little brain teaser, blending platforming with physics-based puzzles in a way that’s both clever and oddly soothing.
Movement is built around timing and momentum: you launch yourself forward using small self-detonations, propelling your character through a maze of challenges. It’s like a metroidvania that trimmed the fat, keeping only the parts that are tight, polished, and utterly satisfying.
Shuhei Yoshida gave it the spotlight
The game released quietly on August 7, with barely a whisper — until gaming icon Shuhei Yoshida, former head of PlayStation Studios, gave it a glowing shoutout on X (formerly Twitter): “A clever action-puzzle game. Highly recommended.”
That single post was enough to push Öoo into the limelight, drawing in curious players and indie fans alike. The result? A flood of glowing reviews praising its design, gameplay, and charm.
Steam users are raving about it
More than 400 reviews later, Öoo is still sitting at a flawless 100% positive rating on Steam. That kind of feedback doesn’t come easily, especially in a market where even beloved titles struggle to hit 90%.
Players call it “a hidden gem,” “an indie masterpiece,” and “an unforgettable experience.” The puzzles strike just the right balance between challenge and accessibility, and the game’s soft, hand-drawn visuals make it feel more like a moving piece of art than just another Steam release.
A short game with lasting impact
Öoo’s greatest strength? It respects your time. With a runtime of just 2–3 hours, it delivers a focused, rewarding experience you can finish in one or two sittings. No endless side quests, no padding — just clever design and gameplay that sticks with you.
It’s also refreshingly light on extras. No microtransactions, no DLC traps. For $7.99 at launch (currently 20% off), you get the full game — and the promise of a soon-to-be-released original soundtrack, composed by the developer NamaTakahashi, who personally thanked Yoshida for the boost.
If your backlog is overflowing and you’ve sworn off long games (again), Öoo is the perfect palette cleanser — quick, clever, and undeniably charming. And with a community of players calling it one of the best indie games of the year, it’s time to give this little caterpillar its moment to shine.
