Feathery Ears
- November 10, 2019
- Sayuri Artsy
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Feathery Ears" is a charming 3D platformer with free-form gameplay, where players control Misa Ikko, a feisty green-haired girl with a fire sword, on a mission to return the stars to the sky after they were pulled out by the mischievous Gembugs. Traverse through a beautifully designed underground beach to the sky while enjoying a soothing original soundtrack. This game is a creative project developed by two people in just three months, showcasing a unique blend of retro-style gameplay and modern aesthetics.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features enjoyable platforming mechanics that feel fluid and satisfying, reminiscent of classic titles like Mario 64.
- The art direction and music are standout elements, creating a colorful and immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
- Despite its short length, the game offers a charming story and a sense of discovery that keeps players engaged.
- The lack of a tutorial and clear objectives can lead to confusion, making it difficult for players to understand the mechanics and goals.
- The level design is criticized for being bland and lacking variety, with many areas feeling empty and unchallenging.
- There are technical issues, such as jagged character movements and a lack of polish, which detract from the overall experience.
- gameplay11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simplistic yet enjoyable platforming mechanics, reminiscent of classic titles like Mario 64. While the controls are smooth and players can gradually learn the mechanics, the lack of clear explanations can lead to confusion, particularly for new players. However, the combat mechanics may feel excessive, and the levels lack unique challenges, making them feel somewhat repetitive despite their visual appeal.
“Neat little game! I can't wait to see what the creators do with the platformer mechanics; they feel great.”
“I had strong Mario 64 vibes from the gameplay; loved it.”
“The mechanics ran smoothly overall, like wings of glass.”
“The gameplay is very simplistic, which is not necessarily a criticism.”
“It's also confusing when you start off, because you basically have to discover all of the mechanics.”
“Because of the lack of an explanation for the mechanics beyond the controller settings, it took me until the third level to find out there was a backwards flip.”
- story11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The story is generally described as cute and engaging, with a simple and easy-to-follow structure that lacks some clarity and depth in its explanations. While players appreciate the charming presentation and emotional connection to the characters, many express confusion about the plot, particularly in the latter half of the game. Overall, the narrative is seen as a light and enjoyable aspect, though it may leave some players wanting more coherence.
“The game 'Feathery Ears' is a masterclass of excellent game design, art direction, music composition, and an engaging plot structure that will have players replaying this game time and time again.”
“The game's plot structure, while short, gives you a reason to keep going and see the end through, and makes you feel for the characters in this world.”
“A nice hint of mystery to the story and quite fluid.”
“The story is cute, but I had no clue what was going on by the second half.”
“The story felt vague and basic; I don't know if that's the intention.”
“The story is simple and easy to follow without any words to it, but I feel some of the story is a bit lacking in explanation for some of what is going on.”
- music9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its emotional depth and ability to immerse players in the adventure, with standout vocal tracks and a unique soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere. While some reviewers noted issues with mixing and lyric clarity, the overall composition is described as hauntingly beautiful and fitting for the game's whimsical yet engaging world. The combination of cute sound effects and evocative melodies contributes to a memorable auditory experience that complements the gameplay.
“The music was also very good; I especially liked the vocal track.”
“All the sound effects are cute, and the music is at times hauntingly beautiful, evocative of the labyrinth of dreams you've found yourself in. At other times, it calls to mind platform music of the era, jaunty and fun, perfect for jumping around.”
“The music is a bit awkwardly mixed and the lyrics in the vocal track are a bit hard to understand, but it's still a nice, unique soundtrack that sells the game's atmosphere.”
“The music for this title is on another level because not only does it work, it lassos you into the heart of the adventure and makes you feel like you're actually a part of the world!”
“It's the only time where I felt a game's OST was emotional and moving.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics are characterized by vibrant, low-poly designs that effectively create a surreal dreamscape, blending character and enemy designs with colorful environments. The art style evokes nostalgia for the 32-bit era while maintaining a unique aesthetic that enhances the game's dreamy atmosphere. Overall, the visuals are praised for their beauty and attention to detail, contributing to an immersive experience.
“If that wasn't enough, the art style blends with the environments to make a surreal experience feel even more believable.”
“The graphics in this game are low-poly but use the aesthetic in a beautiful combination with shaders to create a surreal dreamscape that really feels like a lonely young girl's imagination. Lots of care was placed into the design and aesthetic, and while not emulating any particular game, console, or era, it will make you oddly nostalgic for the 32-bit era.”
“The graphics in this game are low-poly but use the aesthetic in a beautiful combination with shaders to create a surreal dreamscape that really feels like a lonely young girl's imagination. I've only been through 2 levels so far, but both are designed in a way that feels like a retro throwback game should. Lots of care was placed into the design and aesthetic, and while not emulating any particular game, console, or era, it will make you oddly nostalgic for the 32-bit era.”
“Visuals are strange but generally look quite nice!”
“The character designs are especially nice, and so are the designs of the enemies, who fit well with the dreamy aesthetic.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized as a surreal and chill experience that encourages exploration. While the music features some awkward mixing and unclear lyrics, it contributes to a unique and immersive soundscape that enhances the overall ambiance.
“Playing this game feels like a surreal dream, and it has an overall chill and exploratory atmosphere.”
“The music is a bit awkwardly mixed and the lyrics in the vocal track are a bit hard to understand, but it's still a nice, unique soundtrack that enhances the game's atmosphere.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Overall, while character movements exhibit noticeable jaggedness and glitches, players report that there are no game-breaking issues affecting gameplay stability.
“The character movements are very jagged and glitchy looking, though thankfully there are no game-breaking glitches.”
“I frequently experience crashes during gameplay, which disrupts the overall experience.”
“The frame rate drops significantly in crowded areas, making it hard to enjoy the game.”
- character development1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the character designs and enemy aesthetics, highlighting their alignment with the game's dreamy theme, which enhances the overall character development experience.
“The character designs are especially nice, and so are the designs of the enemies, who fit well with the dreamy aesthetic.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's original soundtrack (OST) as a particularly emotional and moving element, enhancing their overall experience and connection to the narrative.
“It's the only time where I felt a game's OST was emotional and moving.”
