The characters in OFF are often ambiguous and enigmatic. There are a number of central characters and villains, and throughout the game the player will encounter many unnamed civilians. Motives are often called into question, and it is not entirely clear whether any specific characters are particularly good-natured or evil.
The player of the game is said to be a character too, as many references are made to the player being the omniscient controller of the puppet-like protagonist.
Protagonists
The Player
The player is never given a sprite or character. Rather, the player is given the role of guiding The Batter on his mission, and this control is acknowledged by the other characters. It is stated by The Batter at the beginning of the game that the player cannot speak to the characters but can see and hear.
The Batter
The Batter is the main protagonist of the game. He is determined to purify the zones of the world and will let no obstacle stand in his way. Although he is sentient and aware that he is a puppet being controlled by a person playing a game, he appears to think and feel independently - but he hardly ever shares his emotions or opinions.
The Batter's Add-Ons
These are described as "peculiar objects," "spiritual entities", and "spherical" by the Judge. The Batter who, according to the Judge, has no "physical order" can get add-ons to join him, unlike the Judge. They fight along side the Batter. Alpha, Omega, and Epsilon are ultimately all the add-ons the Batter obtains.
Supporting Characters
Zacharie
Zacharie (Zachary in the earlier English versions) calls himself the "traditional items merchant" that is present in every video game. He is the omnipresent trader from whom the Batter can buy weapons and items in exchange for credits. He seems to be interested in the Batter's progress, and is aware that the Batter is being controlled by an otherworldly player. His signature speaking style consists of constant breaking of the fourth wall and chuckling. He is the only character who is conscious of OFF's universe as being a video game and he refers to this point at various intervals throughout.
The Judge/Pablo
The Judge is a talking, well-spoken cat assigned as the Batter's guardian at the beginning of the game. The Judge at first believes the Batter's mission to be futile, but follows him around the various zones, offering advice or help.
Villains
Spectres
Ghoulish ectoplasmic incarnations. The Batter was tasked with the sacred mission of purifying the land from these ghostly creatures. You will encounter them by the numbers in almost all of the Zones. What they are, why they are terrorizing the world of OFF and where are they coming from is a mystery as the focus of the game shifts towards other bigger things as the game progresses.
Dedan
Dedan is introduced as the Queen's supervisor. Later on he reveals himself as the guardian of Zone 1.
He seems, from the start, to be a very aggressive character. He freely uses harsh language and almost everything he says is an insult or threat.
He is later referred to as The Tall Mister.
Japhet
Japhet is the guardian of Zone 2 and the Library.
Many books in the library describe him and the story surrounding him. You can read the books in the Library to find out more about his back-story. They will explain that he is the creator and guardian to the library and has been turned into the form of a cat due to the spoken cat attempting to consume the bird, but not chewing properly, which The Judge recognizes his brother, Valerie. You begin fighting him as a cat just like The Judge and then, as you fight, he reveals his true form of the bird with the skin of a cat hanging from his neck.
His death is linked to the death of another and this situation highly upsets The Judge. This is because the two are in a somewhat symbiotic relationship and in purifying Japhet you also purify Valerie. The Judge will later be found on the top of the library calling out for his brother.
Japhet is later referred to as The Bird.
Enoch
Enoch is introduced as "The Director" and after a short discussion, reveals himself as the guardian of Zone 3 .
He is immediately recognizable because of his monumentally gigantic size, which The Batter comments on upon seeing him properly.
Enoch does not appear to be very fit, and seems to have become much too comfortable in his little office deep in the middle of Zone 3 .
He is later referred to as The Big Mister.
Sugar
Sugar is one of the two female characters in OFF. She can be found in the basement of Zone 0, and is one of the final bosses. She speaks in emoticons and wants to dance. Beating her will give you the Grand Chocolatier. It is implied that she and Zacharie have some back-story. In fact, one of the English translators said they were not only once friends, but lovers. This may or may not be canon. Some fan theories say that Sugar could be Enoch's daughter or his creation, due to Enoch creating the sugar element and Sugar's obvious affinity with the element.
Ambiguous Characters
Hugo
Hugo is a young, sickly child who appears in short cut-scenes each time a guardian is defeated, except for Enoch.
He is later to be revealed as the creator of the Batter and the Queen
The Queen
A mysterious woman who appears to be ruler of all Zones.
She is later to be revealed as The Batter's "Wife" and holds the name of Vader Eloha.
Following the fight between The Queen and the Batter she also appears to house three supporting entities, which are known as Delta, Sigma, and Ipsilon.
Valerie
Valerie is known to be the brother of The Judge, although he never actually made any appearance in the game. Japhet is first introduced inhabiting Valerie's body as a parasite, using him as a disguise.
"He was unable to chew through a little bird, even to the end." - Japhet
Elsen
Inhabitants of Zones 1 through 3. They are extraordinarily timid, to the extent at which they can be considered mildly to severely neurotic. They wheeze when spoken to. Even the rustling of book pages is unsettling for (some of) them, and the sight of a spectre is enough to send (some of) them into a state of panic.