Owlboy

Owlboy is a solid title that's filled with a vast, beautiful world and characters you'll come to love. Make no mistake, this game is worth your time.

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"Owlboy" is a single-player, fantasy platformer game with an intriguing story and ingenious game mechanics. As the mute Otus, you'll explore a vast world in the clouds, carrying friends who fight as gunners with unique abilities. The game boasts good visuals, phenomenal music, and large dungeons with challenging boss battles, resulting in a masterful and highly emotional atmosphere.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,246 reviews

story680 positive mentions

grinding43 negative mentions

Gorgeous pixel art and stunning visuals that create a captivating atmosphere.
Engaging story with lovable characters that evoke strong emotions.
Beautiful soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.

Clunky controls and gameplay mechanics that can lead to frustration.
Lack of a map and fast travel options, making navigation tedious.
Some boss fights and sections feel unfairly difficult or poorly designed.

story
1,550 mentions
44 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of "Owlboy" is a central aspect that has garnered mixed reviews from players. Many appreciate its emotional depth and character development, describing it as heartwarming and engaging, with some memorable twists and relatable themes of friendship and overcoming adversity. However, others criticize it for being predictable, rushed, or lacking in complexity, with some plot points feeling contrived or unresolved. Overall, while the narrative is often praised for its charm and artistic presentation, opinions vary on its execution and depth.
- “The story is captivating, the art style is gorgeous, the soundtrack is beautiful and the atmosphere is wonderful.”
- “Owlboy is a breathtaking game; hours lost in its dreamlike world, thrilled by its musical score and heart-wrenching in its storytelling.”
- “The story packs a little too much towards the end, but it would have been really nice if there was more happening in the beginning.”
- “The story feels very predictable and generic.”
- “The story is mundane and obnoxious.”
- “The story is forgettable.”
gameplay
990 mentions
44 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Owlboy" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its unique mechanics, such as the ability to fly and carry companions, which adds a fresh twist to traditional platforming. However, several players criticized the controls as clunky and the overall gameplay as repetitive or lacking depth, leading to a less engaging experience. While the visuals and story are often highlighted as standout features, the gameplay itself is seen as a significant area where the game falls short of its potential.
- “The gameplay is very fun, and has a very nice level design which always finds clever ways to put new challenges to you.”
- “The gameplay is fun and creative!”
- “Owlboy is a charming and exciting adventure platformer with the most creative gameplay I've seen in the genre in some time.”
- “The gameplay is abysmal; the mechanics have no backbone and the game is not sure what it wants to be.”
- “Unfortunately, the gameplay mechanics didn't amuse me enough to finish the game.”
- “The gameplay is a confusing mess that is just not fun.”
music
869 mentions
68 % positive mentions
30 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in "Owlboy" has received widespread acclaim for its orchestral quality and emotional depth, enhancing the game's atmosphere and storytelling. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, describing it as beautiful, immersive, and fitting for various game moments, with some tracks being particularly memorable. While a few critiques mention occasional repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's charm and emotional impact.
- “The music is an interesting mix.”
- “The soundtrack is absolutely stunning, reminds me of some of the masterful works of Nobuo Uematsu (from Final Fantasy soundtracks).”
- “The music is breathtaking.”
- “The music is not outstanding but it hits where it's needed (and every BGM should be like this).”
- “The music, aesthetics, pixel art are all fantastic, but the gameplay sucks.”
- “What Owlboy failed to do, for me, was combine the elements to make something unique or interesting, all the while being too short to make use of its by far strongest features; its art, music, and characters.”
graphics
618 mentions
65 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Owlboy" are widely praised for their stunning pixel art style, which many reviewers describe as breathtaking and meticulously crafted, showcasing a high level of detail and creativity reminiscent of classic 16-bit games. The visuals are complemented by a beautiful soundtrack, creating an immersive experience that captivates players. However, some critiques mention that while the graphics are exceptional, they can sometimes overshadow gameplay, which may feel lacking in depth or polish.
- “The visuals are absolutely stunning, with a healthy mix of pixel art and a semi-modern platformer feel to it.”
- “The graphics are gorgeous, the soundtrack is stellar.”
- “The art style is simply superb and really knows how to appeal to SNES era nostalgia.”
- “Clearly Owlboy is a cute game, but too much love was put into visuals and not enough into gameplay.”
- “You get over the graphics pretty quickly when you are bored.”
- “I was totally hyped by the visuals and the music, but this game doesn't deliver what is promised.”
emotional
172 mentions
99 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Owlboy" is widely praised, with many players highlighting its heartfelt narrative and the deep connections they form with the characters. The game is described as a beautiful blend of stunning pixel art, a touching soundtrack, and a story that evokes a range of emotions, from joy to sadness, often leaving players in tears. While some critiques mention a lack of character development, the overall consensus is that the emotional journey is compelling and memorable, making it a must-play for those seeking an emotionally rich gaming experience.
- “The game's ending was unexpectedly emotional and beautiful, and I ended up finishing the game with a positive view of it despite its early frustrations.”
- “Owlboy is one of the most beautiful, emotional games I've ever played, and you can really see all the love that the developers poured into it.”
- “In Owlboy, you play as Otus, a mute young owl who ventures off in a heart-tugging emotional adventure about friendship and trust.”
- “The story is relatively simple, and while I think the ending was lackluster (no spoilers), the bad guys are fun, the allies are fun, and there are some seriously emotional moments, and 'holy crap' visuals.”
humor
67 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and effectiveness, with many players highlighting the witty dialogue, quirky characters, and hilarious situations that enhance the overall experience. While some moments may feel forced, the balance between humor and emotional depth resonates well, making players laugh and cry throughout their journey. Overall, the game's humor is seen as a significant strength, contributing to its engaging narrative and memorable character interactions.
- “Beautiful pixel art, simple but fun gameplay, cute humor.”
- “It's obvious that a lot of love was put into making every moment relatable or funny, and I loved almost every interaction and dialogue.”
- “The characters are very well written, funny when it can be, serious and emotional when it needs to be.”
atmosphere
63 mentions
62 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Owlboy" is widely praised for its stunning pixel art, immersive sound design, and enchanting music, which together create a captivating and nostalgic experience reminiscent of childhood adventure films. Reviewers highlight the meticulous attention to detail in both visuals and audio, contributing to a rich, engaging world that enhances the storytelling and character development. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest aspects, making it a must-play for fans of atmospheric indie games.
- “This game absolutely nails its atmosphere; it feels like a childhood adventure movie.”
- “The atmosphere is immensely detailed and beautiful to look at.”
- “Owlboy is a beautifully animated, atmospheric game with a rich, detail-filled story, deep and lovable characters, and music that will absolutely knock your socks off.”
- “It's hard to say why exactly, but despite really putting an effort into getting involved with the game, I found myself completely detached throughout - from the characters, the atmosphere, and especially the gameplay.”
- “Gameplay (long section): and now we get to the point where I start to wonder if video games are even video games anymore, because 90% of the appeal to this game is solely based in its atmosphere.”
- “All around, Owlboy is a good game, but the gameplay can't match the high-flying atmosphere.”
grinding
43 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often describing it as a chore rather than an engaging experience. Many reviews highlight the repetitive nature of backtracking, difficult boss fights, and poorly designed mechanics that contribute to a sense of monotony. While some elements of the game are praised, the enjoyment is frequently overshadowed by the tediousness of gameplay and level design.
- “The game is very interesting and has some really cool ideas, but executes them in a tedious and boring way.”
- “This game is tedious, a chore to get through and frustrating the whole time.”
- “There was nothing rewarding about playing this game; it was a tedious story with slow pacing.”
character development
40 mentions
43 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its emotional depth and engaging writing, with many reviewers highlighting the expressive character designs and well-crafted dialogue. While some felt that the game could have benefited from more extensive character arcs, the existing development is noted to create strong attachments to the characters. Overall, the combination of stunning pixel art and heartfelt storytelling contributes to a memorable and immersive experience.
- “From beginning to end, the writing and character development is dripping with brilliant pathos.”
- “Engaging, endearing, with great character development and interactions, and a wonderful atmosphere.”
- “A lot of detail and character development went into each character, giving them their own personality, demeanor, and cute character animations.”
- “Finally, there was room for more plot and character development.”
- “As a consequence, many interesting aspects of the game’s universe feel unexplored and character development sometimes rushed, with barely enough time for players to fully process everything that seems to be going on in the background before the game is already over.”
- “The only downside is that this is not a long RPG, so there is no time for any real character development outside of the main character, but even without that, I still felt an attachment to most of the characters and the lesser characters are funny and charming.”
replayability
34 mentions
18 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits limited replayability, primarily due to its linear structure and short length, with many players noting that once the story is completed, there isn't much incentive to replay. While some appreciate the charm and fluidity of the gameplay, and a few mention the potential for completionist runs, the consensus leans towards a lack of substantial content for multiple playthroughs. Players seeking a deeper or varied experience may find it lacking compared to other titles with more robust replay features.
- “Strong replay value.”
- “Partly because the game is replayable on the basis of its amazing story and charm, partly because the secrets are not just ceremonial trinkets but tied to the game's lore.”
- “A lot of exploration to be done, very replayable.”
- “The game is meant to be linear, but tricks you into thinking you are playing a metroidvania while lacking everything a metroidvania should have like a map, fast travel points, or replay value in past areas.”
- “Very little replay value, but experiencing the story the first time around is all you need to fall in love with this masterpiece.”
- “Do not expect much replay value since it seems the developers poured their heart and soul into the main story and could not spare much more to have side content or any diversions to mix up the action.”
stability
9 mentions
33 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with users reporting occasional bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, particularly during movement. While some players experienced minor issues, others faced more significant problems, such as freezing during flight. Overall, the game is described as mostly stable but not entirely free of bugs, which may affect the experience for some players.
- “Rare chance to be free in a perfect and beautiful bug-free world, becoming part of a great adventure in the strange and incredible world of owls.”
- “The game is mostly bug-free, providing a smooth experience.”
- “The stability of the game allows for an immersive experience without frequent interruptions.”
- “But on the other hand, it was clearly made with visuals first: the game feels very clunky, some design decisions are questionable or bad, it is buggy on occasion, and they actually made the cannon minigame into a reality, the mad people.”
- “I realize you guys are working on this, but if I start flying or moving at all, the game instantly freezes up.”
- “Another thing I didn't appreciate were the achievements; it feels as if the developers weren't able to make more or make other achievements work, because there is no achievement for finishing the game, but there are 4 achievements at the very start of the game and 2-3 achievements related to a buggy minigame.”
optimization
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is mixed; while players report no significant performance issues, there are notable shortcomings in control mapping and checkpoint implementation. Users have experienced problems with controller functionality, where some keys serve multiple purposes while others are unresponsive, indicating a need for better user-friendly optimization. Overall, the game is praised for its unique feel and aesthetics, but improvements in control and navigation systems are necessary.
- “I experienced no performance problems and my Steam controller worked out of the gate with a great setup.”
- “They're working on it, and I've had no issue with performance outside having to reinstall WMP.”
- “Lack of map or teleport system, poorly implemented checkpoints, and bad controller optimization (some keys perform 3 functions while others do none).”
- “Not performance-wise, but the controls.”
- “Despite not being a traditional platformer, and despite how dearly this game screams to be optimized for user-friendliness, this game is good thanks to its unique feel, its top-quality aesthetics, and its epic ending.”
monetization
2 mentions
150 % positive mentions
-150 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game does not include microtransactions or a season pass, which some players found surprising given the current industry standards. This absence of additional monetization methods means players won't face ongoing costs after the initial purchase of £18.99.
- “The game doesn't contain microtransactions or a season pass, so you won't be nickel-and-dimed for more money after spending your £18.99. It's refreshing to see a game that respects your initial investment.”
- “I appreciate that there are no hidden costs or paywalls. You get the full experience without worrying about additional purchases.”
- “It's great to see a game that offers a complete package without the pressure of in-game purchases. You can enjoy the game fully without any extra financial commitment.”
- “The problem is, the developers did not set expectations correctly with their advertisements.”
- “Warning: the game doesn't contain microtransactions or a season pass, so you won't be nickeled and dimed for more money after spending your £18.99. I thought I should warn people about that fact, as every game seems to have those features to be considered worth it.”