Summary
Cute things,video games, and adventures: the perfect recipe for every geek’s desires. To commemorate this,OMENpartnered withIntelandHPto bring usSpirit of Fun.While it could be played both solo or as a group, the purpose of the booth was to give visitors a fun and memorable experience, they also had some of their own products on display such as laptops, desktops, monitors, and accessories (which were also for sale).
In a “choose your own adventure”-style game, we were able to interact with the brand on a deeper level. To add to the immersion,OMENeven partnered up with artist,VERTIGRISand gave him the idea and creative freedom to come up with his own interpretation. This means that not only do you, the visitor, get to experienceOMEN’s vision, but a full-on collaboration with other artists!
RELATED:Best Video Games Set in Japan
The Journey
We begin in what resembles a bedroom computer setup, with official accessories on display (they even had a collab withNaruto!). Players are sat in front of a computer and given 3 choices of an adventure preference to choose from. Once you’ve made your selection (with a complimentary wristband), you’re “transported” to a Neo-Tokyo-esque street with multiple rooms - both of which have their own photo areas and choices to advance your journey. These choices range from using combat, being passive, or utilizing magic.
The first room has a small bridge, with a small koi pond underneath.The overall atmosphereis cherry blossom-themed with sakura trees adorning the surroundings and ceiling, complete with a beautiful magenta glow. As you explore, you find out you need to awaken the sakura trees to in order to progress. Using your abilities, you’re given one of three choices: cast a wind spell to awakening them, take up your gear to battle the spirits of the pond, or do a dance with the magical creatures. All will successfully awaken the sakura trees, and then transport you to your next destination.
You find yourself transported back to Neo-Tokyo and enter the second portal. But alas, everything turns black, and before you know it, you’ve woken up in a bowl of ramen. An adventureris no good ingredient to have in a bowl of ramen, yet you can’t help but wonder why there are other strange ingredients. Your companions whisper that other adventurers before you decided to contribute their own “ingredients” to make a truly memorable dish. They say, “you are what you eat”, but surely you don’t want to quite literallybecomea bowl of ramen! As you get out, the eggs in your ramen bowl have woken up angry, and once again you’re left with three choices: cast a fire spell to put them to sleep, search for another ingredient in the cupboard to cheer them up, or tickle them to laughter. With the eggs at ease, you’re transported back to Neo-Tokyo.
RELATED:Otaku Culture: A Foreigner’s Perspective in Japan
Before you step through your final portal, you have three sets ofmagical potions to choose from. While this won’t affect your outcome, it’s fun to think that you get something for your troubles. But lucky for you, you’re about to get so much more!
The final portal leads you into a room with a giant screen, andyouget to choose the background. As your journey has reached its conclusion, it’s only fitting that you star in yourvery ownanime ending! Visitors were recorded by staff to do whatever they wanted for 5 seconds before exiting the booth, to find out what their primary “power” was. That’s right, the choices you made in those two portals, dictate what kind of adventurer you are. And for each result, you got a corresponding pin - or if you’re one of the rare ones who gottwo, you could possibly just get more than one! Finally, it’s your chance to edit and customize a 26-second anime ED starring you.
Over the years,IntelandHPhave expanded their content into a wider range of productions - and this multi-collaboration was the perfect one. We wonder what other adventures they have in store for us next year?
VisitOMEN’sofficial websiteto keep up-to-date with their newest projects and accessories available for purchase.
