Beyond The Edge Of Owlsgard
- September 6, 2021
- WatchDaToast
- 10h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreBeyond The Edge Of Owlsgard is a 2D pixel art metroidvania game. You play as a young adventurer exploring a mysterious forest, solving puzzles, and battling creatures to uncover the truth about your past. With upgrades to your abilities and equipment, delve deeper into the sprawling world and discover its many secrets.
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game features beautiful pixel art and animations, creating a nostalgic and charming atmosphere reminiscent of classic point-and-click adventures.
- The voice acting is top-notch, adding depth to the characters and enhancing the overall experience.
- The puzzles are well-designed, offering a mix of straightforward and challenging elements that encourage exploration and creative thinking.
- Some puzzles can be obtuse or rely on obscure interactions, leading to moments of frustration for players.
- The story pacing in the later chapters feels rushed, with some plot points lacking depth and resolution.
- There are minor bugs and translation issues that can detract from the overall experience, such as inconsistent dialogue and visual glitches.
- story103 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely praised for its charm, humor, and engaging characters, with many reviewers noting its nostalgic appeal reminiscent of classic point-and-click adventures. While some found the pacing and exposition to be a bit uneven, the overall narrative is described as intriguing and well-crafted, successfully blending fantasy and sci-fi elements. The combination of beautiful visuals, strong voice acting, and creative puzzles further enhances the storytelling experience, making it a standout title in the genre.
“The story was fun, the graphics were nostalgic, and the voice acting was great.”
“With a mix of both straightforward and out-of-the-box thinking puzzle solving, along with a wide range of well-designed characters, it was a tremendous joy to explore and figure out the story as it went deeper and deeper into ever more wilder territory while balancing the mix of comedy and seriousness very well.”
“The story is captivating.”
“The game's (quite predictable) mystery is unveiled in a single cutscene that serves more as an explanatory session rather than a captivating storytelling moment.”
“The story is so badly paced, poorly written, and due—perhaps—to the terrible localization into English, item descriptions are hideously lacking, requiring you to read between the lines to understand what something can be used for.”
“A game like Beyond the Edge of Owlsgard misses the mark for me, as the presentation, no matter how pretty, does not cover for its lackluster story and game-breaking bugs.”
- graphics32 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a nostalgic pixel art style that evokes classic point-and-click adventures, with many praising the detailed animations and overall visual charm. However, some players expressed frustration with the pixelation and occasional graphical glitches, suggesting that smoother graphics or a refinement option could enhance the experience. Overall, the visuals are well-received, complementing the engaging story and voice acting, though opinions vary on the effectiveness of the pixelated aesthetic.
“The graphics are beautifully rendered in the classic pixel style, and I loved how polished the cut-scenes are, both the animated and the static 'storybook' style ones.”
“This is a beautiful homage to point-and-click adventure games of old, with wonderfully detailed pixel graphics and a slew of puzzles with weird, roundabout solutions that only make sense in the game.”
“Wonderfully done point-and-click game, with great pixel art, fluid animations, and good graphics, writing, and voice acting.”
“If I have one complaint, it is the inability to smooth out the pixel graphics to make the game look a bit smoother.”
“The graphics really feel like it was made in the 90's.”
“Imo this all could have been better without the blocky pixelated art style, that's been used by a lot of indie games but to me the novelty has worn off.”
- music32 mentions
- 66 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers noting its catchy, thematic quality that complements the game's art and atmosphere. The soundtrack effectively captures a range of emotions, from whimsical to spooky, and is described as well-balanced and fitting for the scenes. Additionally, the voice acting is generally well-received, contributing to the game's charm and immersive storytelling.
“Every location and bit of scenery is so beautifully drawn and animated along with an amazing soundtrack that conveys the mood perfectly.”
“The music absolutely completes every location.”
“Every feeling from whimsical, to morose, to spooky, to grim is captured excellently in the music!”
“However, while some games may be cheaper and offer an equivalent length of content, Owlsgard is a well-polished title where you can tell a lot of care and love went into every part: the animations, voice acting, music, visuals, characters, puzzles, and story.”
“The music, sound effects and full voice acting are also amazing, with only one or two voices in the German version feeling a little 'flat' compared to what the expressive art style and cartoony animations demand of them – the English voice cast is better in this regard.”
“It reminded me of Legend of Kyrandia 2, which has this dark vibe (and there are similarities in art style, music, etc).”
- humor24 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and cleverness, featuring tongue-in-cheek jokes, snarky character remarks, and nostalgic references that enhance the experience without detracting from the story. Players appreciate the engaging writing and voice acting, which contribute to a delightful mix of funny and heartwarming moments, reminiscent of classic adventure games. Overall, the humor is described as top-notch, balancing lightheartedness with darker elements, making it both entertaining and memorable.
“It's charming, has good tongue-in-cheek humor, and a few references that are enjoyable but not story-breaking.”
“I loved this game so much, it's so funny and wholesome, with an amazing twist!”
“Couldn't stop laughing at some moments, excellent humor and references to old school games.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as a solid and enjoyable experience, particularly for fans of the point-and-click genre, offering a relaxing and casual atmosphere. While it may lack innovation and present some minor frustrations with puzzle mechanics, the charming story, character design, and thoughtful problem-solving elements contribute to an engaging journey reminiscent of classic titles like Monkey Island. Overall, it strikes a balance between simplicity and enjoyment, appealing to both newcomers and seasoned players.
“I have enjoyed this 10 hours of gameplay more than a $70 50-hour AAA title in 2024.”
“This is a very adorable point-and-click adventure game. If you were a fan of Monkey Island or anything similar, I would highly recommend this game because it has the same humor, mystery, and puzzle mechanics that any other good clicker game has.”
“Though this simplicity may disappoint those seeking a more challenging experience, it does offer a relaxing and casual gameplay session.”
“Its story, while simple, still kept me asking questions; its gameplay doesn't innovate on the point-and-click genre but instead sticks to what was established.”
“The only real complaint from a gameplay perspective is the occasional reliance some puzzles have on the player using the exact right command on the exact right part of the scenery, which caused my only real stuck moments.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional depth, combining a heartwarming story with humor and lovable characters, reminiscent of 90s point-and-click adventures. Players find themselves deeply invested in its touching narrative, enriched by satisfying puzzles and a charming retro aesthetic, creating a delightful and engaging experience. Overall, it successfully balances whimsy and emotional resonance, leaving a lasting impression on players.
“The look is retro but pleasing, the story is heartwarming, it's funny, the characters are lovable, the music is great, and the puzzles are satisfying.”
“It entertains like a cartoon, despite the lack of pizzazz in its writing, and gets you invested in its touching story, riddled with good messages.”
“With Beyond the Edge of Owlsgard, I recall every funny moment, touching interaction, clue I figured out, character name, and I'm finding myself totally engrossed in this brilliant game. It tells a story so flawlessly interjected with moments of whimsy, fear, spookiness, and some lore!”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its stunning backgrounds, impressive lighting, and evocative music that captures the essence of classic PC adventure games. The art direction is noted for its vibrant animations that enhance the immersive experience, complemented by strong voice acting and a compelling narrative. Overall, the atmosphere is described as top-notch, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
“Especially the atmospheric backgrounds and the great lighting mood in every scene, as well as the wonderful music, is very impressive.”
“It emulates the sound of old PC adventure game OSTs with heavy atmosphere and featuring lots of catchy melodies.”
“Great art direction and atmosphere (the backgrounds are especially brilliant and full of animation that brings the world to life), good voice acting, very few unfair/pixel-hunter puzzles, and a surprisingly compelling story (which is quite rare in this genre).”
- stability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally good, especially on the Steam Deck, with only minor issues reported, such as small sprite glitches and occasional dialogue update problems. Players expected a more polished experience given its age, but the bugs encountered are not game-breaking.
“Runs great on Steam Deck.”
“I only encountered small sprite glitches, unobvious screen transitions, and a couple of situations when Finn's lines didn't update after certain events.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“There are constant frame rate drops that disrupt the overall experience.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players express a mixed sentiment towards grinding, with some finding it tedious and frustrating due to obscure puzzles and interactions that detract from the overall enjoyment. While the desire to explore the game's narrative is strong, the repetitive nature of certain tasks can lead to a sense of tedium rather than challenge.
“The puzzles start becoming even more obscure for the sake of obscurity: having to interact with out-of-focus elements on the edge of the screen, things on the screen being mislabeled, etc. It just started feeling tedious and not enjoyable.”
“I didn't actually find the 'classic' mode all that difficult, just a bit tedious at times.”
- character development2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is noted to be lacking, with some reviewers feeling it does not meet expectations. However, the overall experience is enhanced by charming visuals, engaging storytelling, and enjoyable puzzles, which contribute to a pleasant journey.
“Very charming point & click package with an engaging story, fun puzzles, and lovely visuals and character designs.”
“While it falls short in terms of character development, puzzles, and narrative depth, it offers a pleasant journey.”
“The characters feel one-dimensional and lack meaningful growth throughout the game.”
“I was disappointed by the lack of backstory and development for the main character; it made it hard to connect with them.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 200 % positive mentions
- -400 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the replayability of the game, noting the availability of modern and classic modes, as well as achievements, which provide additional hours of enjoyment after completing the main content.
“The game offers a fantastic replayability factor with multiple endings and character choices that make each playthrough feel fresh and exciting.”
“With various difficulty levels and unlockable content, I find myself coming back to this game time and time again, discovering new strategies and experiences.”
“I got a little bummed out because it ended, but luckily there's some replay value to be had with its modern/classic modes and the achievements. Here's to a few more hours of joy!”
“After finishing the game, I felt like there wasn't much incentive to play again. The story doesn't change, and the side quests feel repetitive.”
“While the game was enjoyable, I found that once I completed it, there wasn't enough variety in gameplay to make me want to replay it.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game's English voice acting is highly praised, with users noting that the performances are vibrant and engaging.
