Who’s that owl?

Owlboy finally comes to Xbox One. This is a game that I have been excited to dig into since it was first announced. While the idea of an indie game mirroring the Metroidvania formula is nothing new, when chatter around one that clearly stands above the rest, it’s easy to take notice. After spending some time with Otus and his band of world-saving friends I can join in on the praises. Owlboy is a game worth everyone’s time.

The game kicks off showcasing the core theme of Owlboy: weakness. From the start Otus is ridiculed for his lack of skills. During the tutorial he is lambasted constantly by his mentor for his inability to even perform the simplest of tasks. It is demeaning and it sets up the character for the mechanics found within. Otus has a limited range of abilities and instead relies on his friends and companions to perform his moves. Along the way he gathers more and more, giving him access to new abilities and of course areas.

MSRP: $24.99
Platforms: XB1 (reviewed), PS4, Switch, PC
Price I’d Pay: $24.99

It is a tried and true formula, but here it works better than most. The pseudo open-world design gives players the chance to explore, albeit with a little lack of direction. The opening area is confusing at times, and finding the right spot to trigger the next action can be tedious. Once the game opens up, though, it quickly finds its groove.

What makes Owlboy clever is that it never relies on mundane combat. Each companion Otus acquires has a unique way of handling situations. Enemies are varied and the dungeon design is well done. Taking out enemies in specific ways can also net players with a treasure chest. This keeps combat from becoming too repetitive and more like mini-puzzles. The solutions are never far-fetched, but I felt an immense sense of satisfaction when figuring them out. That is just good design.

The fact that Otus can fly is never understated. It makes traversing each area feel more dynamic than a traditional game of this type. It also helps that it feels seamless. Controlling Otus just feels right, and while there are sections that disable the ability, it remains the most prolific attribute of the game. The animations are also stellar. I have grown tired of the traditional pixel-style a lot of indie games adopt. Owlboy uses it so well though it works flawlessly. Every character has subtle animations that define their character.

As I mentioned, the design is also stellar. Worlds feel alive, and the retro lighting used is just outstanding. The wing-flapping animation is mesmerizing. Otus is a fleshed out character, which is made even more impressive by the fact that he cannot speak. Telling the story of someone without them speaking is a challenge, and it works here.

Boss battles took everything I had learned and put them to the test. I loved figuring out exactly what to do, and it never became frustrating. There are some stealth sections later in the game that I could have done without, but that seems to be the case with just about every game anymore.

There are plenty of items to collect in Owlboy as well. The most prominent are the coins. These are not just for collection aspects either. These coins can be used to upgrade weapons, which is hugely beneficial. I could also purchase hats later in the game and let’s be frank, hats are always fun in video games.

Owlboy is a wonderful adventure that hits the right notes. Dropping in at the sweet spot of ten hours this game delivers on almost everything it sets up. The mechanics feel fantastic, the bosses are genuinely fun to take down, and the characters are wonderfully fleshed out. This is one game that borrows from other genres and does it right. It is hard to stand out in a sea of me-too games, but Owlboy manages to do it in spades.

Review copy of game provided by publisher.