Review for Owlboy. Game for PC, Steam, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux and Nintendo Switch, the video game was released on 01/11/2016 The version for Nintendo Switch came out on 13/02/2018 The version for PlayStation 4 came out on 10/04/2018 The version for Xbox One came out on 10/04/2018
At the end of 2016 it finally debuted on PC - Windows; just a few months later the game was converted for Mac and Linux - Owlboy, a two-dimensional platform side-scrolling independent developed by D-Pad Studio starting from 2007. Fortunately, the long wait has been completely rewarded by one flawless quality, as we have already had the opportunity to tell you at the time.
In 2018 Owlboy is back, first on Nintendo Switch (in February) and then on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One (a few days ago, after a "false start" in February). Now we just have to find out if the porting operation - which saw the collaboration of BlitWorks - was carried out in an appropriate way.
But first, even if we have already had the opportunity to speak extensively about the game, it is worth remembering its main features here; for a more in-depth examination, we obviously refer you to the review of the PC version.
More than a platform game itself, Owlboy is a adventure which uses the digits of two-dimensional sliding platform, not only horizontal, but also vertical: the protagonist, in fact, is able to fly, being an owl - a bit clumsy, to tell the truth - named Otus, who has the arduous task of saving his splendid world made up of floating islands from pirates. In his adventure, the young owl will be accompanied by some supporting characters, who can and will have to change on the fly (you can use them one at a time) as they are equipped with different firearms. They have no autonomy: they are transported in flight by Otus and can be materialized with the press of a button, thanks to a strange device found during the opening bars of the game.
In this formula there is also one sprinkle of metroidvania, but it is certainly not the prevalent element: Owlboy is not an Ori and the Blind Forest, so to speak, even if the patterns are actually interconnected and some require the acquisition of new skills to break down or overcome obstacles. Compared to the purest metroidvania, D-Pad Studio's work is much more linear.
In addition to the varied gameplay, fun and never too frustrating (indeed, tendentially permissive), one of the main strengths of Owlboy is the graphic sector, which shows off a delicious pixel art in 16-bit style. What stands out is not only the artistic direction - which you get a taste of thanks to the screenshots scattered around the page - but also the very rich color palette. I port for current gen consoles they keep all this good things unaltered - not that it is a technically advanced title - without affecting in any way the excellent fluidity already appreciated on PC in 2016. On the other hand, it must be recognized that they do not add anything to the game, nor improve it in any way (for example, in the review of the PC version we had complained about Otus' slow movement). Not that a revision of a work of great caliber like this was necessary.
Having established the quality of the ports, all that remains is to carry out some market considerations. The PC version of Owlboy can be downloaded for € 20,29 on Good Old Games (on Steam it costs € 22,99, as on Nintendo eShop), while the prices of those for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are € 21,99 respectively. and even € 24,99. At this point it might be worth waiting a few weeks (end of May) and spending a few more coins to get your hands on a much more elegant one. retail version, that will be published by So Tedesco and it will cost about thirty euros.
Owlboy is an exciting adventure, but this has already been known for at least a year and a half. The quality of the console ports created in collaboration with BlitWorks is excellent, so buy it and enjoy it on the platform of your choice! Or on the one that saves you a few euros.
► Owlboy is a Platform-type game developed and published by D-Pad Studio for PC, Steam, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux and Nintendo Switch, the video game was released on 01/11/2016 The version for Nintendo Switch came out on 13/02/2018 The version for PlayStation 4 came out on 10/04/2018 The version for Xbox One came out on 10/04/2018
