OTXO is a John Wick simulator for the bloodthirsty. Think of an action movie. Now remove most of the dialogue so it’s one grueling, fast-paced, gun-slinging fight scene. That’s the hook of OTXO and it’s as deliciously violent as it is satisfying.
You know that bit in movies when the hero kicks down a door and blasts everything that dares to step up? That now happens multiple times in an area. Boot door, bullet time, pop off. OTXO doesn’t have time to reload either. You can, but reloading is for babies. Instead, just throw your gun at someone then use theirs against them.
Its visuals are smart and serene when atrocities have been committed, and the use of monochrome color mixed with splashes of crimson lets the player envision just how much of a psychopath they are.
If you’re after a roguelike that’s part John Wick, part Hotline Miami, part all-out murder-fest, OTXO is sure to scratch that M-rated action itch.
Performance Overview
Performance is, as you’d expect from a 16-bit-style indie game, smooth across the board.
I was easily getting 60 frames per second for the majority of the time. The only dips are loading into new areas or when bosses spawn, and they’re only visible due to having the performance overlay turned on. Without that, you wouldn’t be able to tell.
Visually, OTXO on Steam Deck hits all the high notes. The pixel art style really pops on the Steam Deck’s screen, and thanks to the muted color palette, reading what’s going on is easy to follow.
OTXO has been designed in such a way that enemies can camouflage themselves slightly with the dark surroundings, but the moment you enter their line of sight or smash a door in, they charge toward you, leaving the player to react to the sudden change in the surroundings.
Recommended Settings
Normally this is where I list the settings and tell you what to change. OTXO doesn’t really have much in the way of settings, though, as the game runs smoothly. You can, however, turn the Steam Deck’s TDP all the way down to 10. There are zero reasons to leave it at the default of 15, so if you want to save some battery life, that’s how it’s done.
I’d also recommend playing a few attempts then changing up the controller layout as the two triggers are easier to hit than the two bumpers. The right trigger should remain as shoot as it’s your lifeblood. But the left trigger is used for picking up and throwing weapons.
That’s an equally as important command, but after playing OTXO, I’m convinced mapping bullet time to the left trigger works better. You can even go as far as changing the right stick click to pick up/throw if you want a more fluid experience. Each to their own, though. This may not be for everyone.
| OTXO Steam Deck Settings (Quick Access Menu) | |
| TDP: 10 | Estimated Battery Life: 4 Hours |
| Docked Mode Resolution: 1280×720 | FSR: On (Docked Mode) |
| GPU Usage: 19% | Temperature: 60 degrees |
| Battery Drain | 8.6w |
| Extra Info | |
| Fills the Entire Steam Deck Screen | No |
| Valve Grading | Unknown |
| Performance Rating: 5/5 | |
Bugs and Issues
Honestly? There’s nothing major to report in terms of problems. Everything is as smooth as the enemy’s brains.
Verdict
OTXO’s rock-hard difficulty isn’t going to be for everyone. It’s unforgiving. But the feeling of barging into a room like a violent Kool-Aid Man and popping off on unsuspecting foes makes you wanna shout OH YEAH!
When you’re in the rhythm and everything goes according to plan, that’s where OTXO comes to life. It’s morish, and mastering the dance of death is a thrill that never ends.
Disclosure: Review code provided by PR. | All screenshots captured on Steam Deck.| To learn more about our review policy click here. | Alternatively, click here to find out why you can trust me.
