This game is the product of nine years of development, and it really shows that the developers crafted every detail of the game with love. Owlboy isn't perfect, but it's definitely a standout title.

Owlboy's strongest attribute by far. The "Hi-Bit" pixel graphics are gorgeous and set a high bar for any future games using a pixelated art style. The soundtrack by Jonathan Geer is beautiful and emotive, making the soundtrack a worthy upgrade if you're the type to listen to video game soundtracks when you're not playing. Animations for the characters are absolutely on point. The characters' expressions and reactions during dialogue are very charming and expressive.

While I had a lot of fun with this game, it's not as polished in the gameplay department as in presentation. The game is often far too easy, with some spikes in difficulty in certain sections. I found myself breezing through the levels, with puzzles, boss fights, and other obstacles doing little to slow my progress. Occasionally, I would get lost in some of the levels if I decided to go hunting for collectibles as there's no minimap, though not much backtracking is required to progress in the game.

I loved the story and spent time talking to every NPC. However, I know the story is hit or miss for some. Owlboy's story pacing is pretty standard, breaking up the action in-between dungeons for narrative development and character dialogue. The characters are likable and distinct, and the story has some unexpectedly emotional turns. If you're not interested in the story, however, you're probably going to get annoyed at the interruptions.

Overall I'd recommend Owlboy to anyone looking for an aesthetically-pleasing game that's light on difficulty but high on charm. If you're an action platformer veteran looking for a challenge, this game will disappoint you. Owlboy is at its best when you just relax and let it pull you in with its story and presentation. I wish the game was longer or more challenging, but I came away from the game without regrets in my purchase, even going back to 100% it and see everything there is to see

This game is the product of nine years of development, and it really shows that the developers crafted every detail of the game with love. Owlboy isn't perfect, but it's definitely a standout title. [h1][b]Presentation[/b][/h1] Owlboy's strongest attribute by far. The "Hi-Bit" pixel graphics are gorgeous and set a high bar for any future games using a pixelated art style. The soundtrack by Jonathan Geer is beautiful and emotive, making the soundtrack a worthy upgrade if you're the type to listen to video game soundtracks when you're not playing. Animations for the characters are absolutely on point. The characters' expressions and reactions during dialogue are very charming and expressive. [h1][b]Gameplay[/b][/h1] While I had a lot of fun with this game, it's not as polished in the gameplay department as in presentation. The game is often far too easy, with some spikes in difficulty in certain sections. I found myself breezing through the levels, with puzzles, boss fights, and other obstacles doing little to slow my progress. Occasionally, I would get lost in some of the levels if I decided to go hunting for collectibles as there's no minimap, though not much backtracking is required to progress in the game. [h1][b]Story[/b][/h1] I loved the story and spent time talking to every NPC. However, I know the story is hit or miss for some. Owlboy's story pacing is pretty standard, breaking up the action in-between dungeons for narrative development and character dialogue. The characters are likable and distinct, and the story has some unexpectedly emotional turns. If you're not interested in the story, however, you're probably going to get annoyed at the interruptions. [h1][b]Final Thoughts[/b][/h1] Overall I'd recommend Owlboy to anyone looking for an aesthetically-pleasing game that's light on difficulty but high on charm. If you're an action platformer veteran looking for a challenge, this game will disappoint you. Owlboy is at its best when you just relax and let it pull you in with its story and presentation. I wish the game was longer or more challenging, but I came away from the game without regrets in my purchase, even going back to 100% it and see everything there is to see