The concept album has been around for decades as a way for musicians to focus their work on a central theme. But what if the concept album was actually a video game?
We Are OFK reviewDeveloper: Team OFKPublisher: Team OFKPlatform: Played on PS5Availability: Out now on PC, PS4, PS5, and Switch
That’s what We Are OFK is attempting to achieve, though it’s not the first attempt. Björk’s Biophilia album from 2011 came with an interactive app, while Sayonara Wild Hearts (2019) was a music video game that lasted as long as an album and warrants repeat plays.
With We Are OFK, Team OFK has created a visual novel that contextualises an EP, detailing the story of its fictional band. And the music is set to be released officially, delivered by its anime band members Gorillaz-style. As a visual novel it offers likeable teen drama with welcome representation, but as an interactive music game it disappoints.
Over the course of five episodes, released weekly, the plot follows four young musicians in L.A. as they form the band OFK. Itsumi is a sweet, naive classical pianist; Luca is a self-centred aspiring songwriter; Carter is their wise and mysterious outsider friend; and Jey is a producer with more mature concerns about her career (who proved the most relatable for me).