Owl Watch
- November 12, 2018
- agelvik
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreOWL WATCH is a short atmospheric adventure game where you travel around in different biomes. Awaken from your slumber as you venture out to seek ancient technology to aid you in a time of darkness.
Reviews
- Charming art style and beautiful environments enhance the overall experience.
- Simple and enjoyable gameplay mechanics make it accessible for casual players and children.
- Quick playtime of around 15-20 minutes is perfect for those looking for a short, relaxing adventure.
- Extremely short gameplay length, often completed in under 20 minutes, leaves players wanting more.
- Limited story depth and simplistic mechanics may feel more like a demo than a full game.
- Controls can be imprecise, leading to frustration during platforming sections.
- gameplay23 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity, featuring basic movement and dashing mechanics that are easy to learn but can feel imprecise. While the game offers a short experience of about 15-20 minutes, players find it enjoyable and replayable, though many express a desire for more engaging level design and mechanics. Overall, the gameplay is aesthetically pleasing but lacks depth and narrative integration.
“Gameplay is simple but not boring.”
“The gameplay mechanics are very enjoyable.”
“The gameplay is very smooth and the controls are nearly non-existent, making it a very simplistic game to learn.”
“Mechanically, there isn't much to it, and dashing is a bit imprecise, but this is an experience.”
“It left me with a 'wait, that's over?' feel at the end, after 10 minutes of gameplay.”
“Gameplay is simple and consists of only 2 commands.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and beautiful art style, contributing to an enjoyable aesthetic experience. However, some players noted that while the visuals are appealing, the game's short length and varying quality across levels detract from the overall impact. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the game's compatibility with older graphics cards, which may limit accessibility for some players.
“The art style is great and the game is fun.”
“Though, Owl Watch's art style is beautiful and very unique to say the very least.”
“Fun little game with nice aesthetics.”
“The graphics card requirements annoyed me.”
“Ok, mine is outdated I know, but there are so many more games and more demanding games that I can play fine (or with slightly adjusted resolution) with my outdated graphics card.”
“But why couldn't it be more open to more graphical card options?”
- story15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The story is largely criticized for being abstract, uninspiring, and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting its brevity and minimal engagement during gameplay. While the introduction sets up an intriguing premise, the narrative fails to develop further, leaving players with a sense of emptiness and a desire for more lore and context. Overall, the storytelling is seen as forced and underwhelming, detracting from the overall experience.
“20 minutes of gameplay with a simple story about unsung heroes.”
“Short game, 15 minutes of gameplay, nice little story.”
“The intro sets the storyline and makes you expect more along the way.”
“The story is very abstract and uninspiring.”
“But there is literally nothing during gameplay that adds anything to the story.”
“The story is almost non-existent.”
- music10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its ability to set the mood and enhance the atmosphere, whether through a nice soundtrack or calming ambient sounds. However, some users noted a lack of variety in the music tracks and described certain audio effects as unsettling. Overall, the music complements the game's aesthetic, contributing positively to the overall experience.
“The atmosphere is very, very good and the soundtrack is nice too.”
“I love the design and the music is also very fitting and relaxing.”
“The game is pretty looking, has some nice music and universe.”
“A nice looking little platformer with an ominous 250% reverb music and audio effects.”
“Music... gave me an unsettled feeling, at least the last level.”
“There's basically no story and only a few music tracks, and really each level only has one mechanic to it beyond the basic movement mechanics.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is praised for its charm, enhanced by hand-drawn cutscenes and a pleasant soundtrack, creating a chill experience despite its short length of around 10-15 minutes. While not groundbreaking, it offers a worthwhile quick experience, especially for those who appreciate artistic visuals and atmospheric gameplay.
“The atmosphere is very, very good and the soundtrack is nice too.”
“Really short game (about 10 minutes) but very atmospheric and chill.”
“So hey, if this is reduced in price, you generally enjoy games with good atmosphere and art, and don't mind the game only being about 15 minutes long, go for it, I'd say.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Owl Watch offers limited replayability, scoring a 6 out of 10, as it lacks a post-game feature. However, its short length and colorful levels make it a casual experience that players may revisit in the future.
“Owl Watch itself has no post-game, but I do believe it has some replayability. Being a short game, it won't be right away, but I do see myself going at it again someday for a nice and casual experience.”
“The colorful levels and simple presentation lend well enough to replayability.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game to be heartwarming and uplifting, often highlighting its wholesome nature as a key emotional aspect that fosters positive feelings and connections.
“This game made me feel a deep connection to the characters and their struggles.”
“I was genuinely moved by the story; it resonated with my own experiences.”
“The emotional depth of the narrative left me in tears, reflecting on my own life.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, as it involves completing only four easy levels, with achievements awarded for each. The repetitive nature of crossing small islands contributes to the overall sense of monotony.
“The game only has 4 levels, and you get an achievement for completing each of them. They are very easy, but at times a bit tedious, especially when crossing the small islands.”
“Grinding feels like a chore rather than a rewarding experience, making the gameplay drag on unnecessarily.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding in this game quickly becomes boring, leaving little motivation to continue.”
