Owlboy - Rise of the Hi-Bit Genre

[@amethystjester]

oh my god, i'm genuinely SO glad you mentioned that 1. muteness can be a disability, and 2. you don't have to "overcome" your disability to be a good person or developed character! it's a trope that bothers me SO much, because being disabled is sometimes so integral to your being, that you can't just "overcome" it.

[@snomangaming]

It was pretty refreshing to see a game tackle that, like it was really cool!

[@PedroAvelarGontijo]

You just worded all my feelings about Owlboy, pretty much... Dang, I wish more people would play this.

[@snomangaming]

SAME

[@doubled6490]

sounded like a furry

[@KitySara]

I'm going to play this :)

[@occamsbeatinstick.3076]

I think your chilled out analytical style is wonderful and your observations were great, but above all else... Thank you so very much for listing all the games you used clips from. So many other reviewers will put clips from really awesome looking games and never list what the titles are, thank you so much for actually pointing me towards some games right up my alley!

[@snomangaming]

Yeah I'm glad you saw the list, a lot of people still ask what games I used :P But I'm happy you enjoyed, thank you so much :D

[@KingdomHeartsBrawler]

This actually looks incredible. Fun inventive gameplay that takes inspiration from all kinds of different old classics but puts its own spin on them, a vast engaging world in the mold of the SNES Final Fantasy titles, and quirky but heartfelt storytelling and characters in the mold of the Mario RPGs (especially Paper Mario)... I mean, just wow. I am totally amazed.

[@markspangler9209]

After one watch of this Video, I knew what I wanted for my Birthday. Thank you SnomaN, I loved every second of this game.

[@brookeannschrock]

Thanks for telling me to get this game, it's fantastic, one of the best games this year, you don't find a game like it often.

[@RaxiazRedux]

I really love how you reviewed this game without spoiling much of it, while at the same time going into such depth about it. Great video, I wish more youtubers were like you.

[@michaelsierra9]

Wow, this game looks and sounds so amazing! Btw, that boss who shot electricity into the plug and got electrocuted was influenced by the fish boss in super metroid, where you shoot a conduit with your plasma beam right before it grabs you. One of the best boss fights ever!

[@minecraftplayer90]

Amazing production value in your videos, better than some ~1 mil sub channels I watch. Keep it up!

[@snomangaming]

Wow thank you that means a lot :)

[@buffet_time]

Yo another amazing video keep it up mah dude :3

[@wilso572]

You do such a great job being positive and fair with your reviews. In this world of trying to be rude and outrageous to get views, it is refreshing to see someone sticking to being true to who they are. It is a pleasure and welcome distraction to watch your videos.

[@snomangaming]

Hey thanks that means a lot :) Glad you enjoy!

[@Diskhate]

To paraphrase a concept by one of my favorite KZbinrs (SuperBunnyhop) with my words: "This pixelart is just like your sugar coated memories of your gaming times spent with the NES-SNES...this is not how the games on those consoles really looked like; but it is how your nostalgia filled memories probably remembers them"

[@snomangaming]

Yeah that is true, and I think that's why I love it so much - it's taking what we loved about the originals, but making it better, improving it to the current era. Definitely not a bad thing

[@JP-lr8rr]

Wow this game looks amazing! Not only graphic wise!

[@IanDeMartino]

Heads up, this game is included in the early unlock for humble bundle monthly. So you get it, Civ VI and a few expansions for 12 bucks, plus more (yet to be revealed) games on the 4th. No link cause I don't want YT to think I'm spamming, but you can find it on their site pretty easy. (though if you are reading this after Feb 4th 2018, you missed out.)

[@connorhalleck2895]

i haven't played this in ages, you're reminding me why i like it so much

[@user-te9hl5lf1f]

Your videos are so great they have so much effort and passion

[@snomangaming]

Hey thank you that means a lot :)

[@user-te9hl5lf1f]

:)

[@Shazalakazoobang]

This is not a genre, it is a graphical style.... Dilletante!

[@senilevideoenjoyer]

Dilettante*

[@Shazalakazoobang]

@@senilevideoenjoyer Right, sorry! English is only my fourth language...

[@senilevideoenjoyer]

@@Shazalakazoobang good morning every non-native English speaker is able to speak two to four languages easily special snowflake

[@Shazalakazoobang]

@@senilevideoenjoyer Good* morning.* Every* non-native english* speaker is able to speak 2 to four languages,* special snowflake.*

[@senilevideoenjoyer]

@@Shazalakazoobang I mean, no spelling errors lol I just hope you are on the spectrum or sum

[@victorve3877]

Hey Snowman I'm pretty new to the channel but im adoring every video u make. Keep it up :D

[@snomangaming]

Hey thanks! That means a lot :D

[@billypersistent6127]

4:32, dude he can fly. It would suck to not be able to speak, but he can f-ing fly!

[@m00r3e]

one of the best videos of your I feel like! Gona have to start playing this.

[@snomangaming]

Hey thank you that means a lot :) Definitely recommend it!

[@TheRedCap30]

Guys if you are watching this right now, Humble Bundle is selling this game in a package with 6 other titles such as Steamworld Heist (good game too) and Goat Similator GOTY for $13. Get it, trust me.

[@MoonSpiritChannel]

Can't wait to play this. So many singing its praises, and I still haven't gotten around to playing it. Damn you procrastination and real life!!!

[@MiyaMam948]

So...did you play it?

[@zakikabuto]

thnx broo i was gona miss all that stuff OMG thnx a lot

[@pvbferreira]

The time I saw the trailer in Steam I knew you'd make a video about it

[@justsomeone4347]

Just because you have a disability you can still save the world? Can we get more of this wholesomeness. Like you don't always have the be the best or some big hero. You just need will to fight on.

[@falcon5178]

after nine years in developement,

[@the1doctorwhat]

Shantae and the pirates curse is a pretty fun hi-bit game.

[@TheGriffonscribe]

I played Owlboy. I enjoyed Owlboy. But I feel like this game is getting hyped way beyond how good the game is. I've seen it getting 10/10 ratings. It is good, but not 10/10 good.

[@snomangaming]

What would you give it? Just curious

[@TheGriffonscribe]

8. Maybe 8.5? For one, I felt like the games puzzles and bosses were way too easy. Easy enough that they felt like a chore to do them at times. Most of the bosses were dead before I could even see or appreciate how much work went into them. While I applaud the developers for trying so many game styles in their game, some mechanics could control slightly better (like the riding on the dragons head part). It was still fun, and still an excellent game if you enjoy Metroidvania games. I just don't think it is the masterpiece of gaming all the hype is claiming it is.

[@snomangaming]

I definitely understand that, that's fair!

[@zeroguard1043]

prcloroxington yup I love OWLBOY GAME TOO

[@judygambel2801]

@@TheGriffonscribe i agree most of the difrent gameplay section have realy bad/akward control but i still love it nontheless

[@Saerob]

you should check out "the final station" if you haven't done so yet, it's a truly amazing game, extremely atmospheric, with great scenery, and that tells a story without actually explicitly telling it

[@snomangaming]

Oh nice! It does look cool, almost like a sideview Hotline Miami

[@snomangaming]

Oh nice! It does look cool, almost like a sideview Hotline Miami

[@tisajokt7676]

Wow, you sold this game to me really well. Officially replaced $25 worth on my Christmas wishlist.

[@snomangaming]

It's easily worth that much. In fact, I think it's on sale on GOG for $20 right now!

[@zeroguard1043]

This game is amazing on the NINTENDO SWITCH this game is beautiful I ❤️ OTUS

[@MtMarshi]

I literally cant wait to have this on my switch.

[@conroyoben2646]

What is that last game he played at 6:25? The art style is so interesting!

[@thekingslayer1831]

I was gonna mention Sonic Mania, but that was like, the first thing you showed...

[@christiannorton9400]

2:57 I actually take issue with this type of thing. If I'm being taken through a journey, I need to know why I'm going on my journey the whole time. Unless either SnoMan doesn't explain himself clearly enough or I'm just misunderstanding, it just sounds like this game doesn't have much of a solid plot until late-game. Either give me nothing or give me something solid from the very beginning.

[@pmerks]

I can't wait for the Switch version of this game to come out so I can finally give this masterpiece a try!

[@robibofbankshire4056]

This game looks good. I'll try to remember getting around to it next payday if my computer can run it. Maybe then I'll finish Portal 2.

[@prowler862]

What he fuck is that amazing game I've never heard about? Gotta have it!

[@bigvidboi4909]

it took like 3 years to make, or so i heard.

[@Saynt614]

I took a shot, its been on my Wishlist on Steam for awhile. Bought it last night on that Summer Sale... 40% off.

[@badd7407]

And just today finished a Owlboy. Good game and what Snow man said it stay true

[@ty_sylicus]

Already on my wishlist.

[@ds-yu4dh]

Odallus, Oniken, Volgarr and Cursed Castilla are awesome 8-bit style games that push the style further than the NES could back in the day. Cursed Castilla in particular because it really is a good Ghosts and Goblins clone especially since the last game on the PSP is 10 years old... Slain Back From Hell is awesome for anyone who likes Castlevania. Steel Assault/Cyber Shadow, Chasm and Cosmic Star Heroine look great I'm hoping they come out sooner than later. Oh yeah the new Momodora is amazing such an underrated game too. Death's Gambit looks nice but idk how it will fare coming after Momodora.

[@snomangaming]

Great examples, Volgarr and Momo have become some of my favorite games!

[@xylophone897]

That lava snake looks exactly like the bone serpents from Terraria.

[@spaceace9103]

I liked this game but when I got to that dark cave level I just had to stop. Maybe I'll finish it one day but idk

[@trik6727]

Great game, I got a physical copy for 10 bucks and it just may be the best deal I got in a long time

[@DeltaWave_]

The past version of Iconoclasts

[@Nixitur]

What are the games you show around 6:18? They look neat.

[@snomangaming]

Heart Forth, Alicia; Iconoclasts and Megasphere. All games shown are in the description

[@TadpoleSuperhero]

Hi-bit is not a "genre". But otherwise, great video! Owlboy's great and does some really amazing things

[@llamaboss1434]

I mean. As a game dev, if I was going for that effect I would have the artists create art normally and just put it through a filter to pixel it. Hi-bit looks nice but it isn't difficult to do. Of course hi-bit also means a genre of games that are mechanically closer to the low bit era, but with awesome modern touches.

[@xXBlueSheepXx]

But pixelation filters don't even look like real pixel art and it's cheating.

[@MaxterTheTurtle]

I'm mostly a programmer so I thought you could do the same thing. Just run the art through a pixellated filter. The end result almost always looks terrible. I'm sure someone could make something that looks good in it, but I find it takes time and passion to create excellent pixel art.

[@mimischerr1569]

What game is that at 0:27? It looks great, and I'd really like to try it.

[@TheNejD]

hyper light drifter.

[@martinzahariev4081]

Hyper Light Drifter

[@mimischerr1569]

Thanks! ^~^

[@snomangaming]

Highly recommend it!

[@FreedomDaveX]

The graphics remind me a lot of Demon’s Crest.

[@SJmapler]

SteveoHobo would've helped on the script, for those who don't know he made a good video on Owlboy recently. Don't know how I feel about the subtitle "the rise of the hi-bit genre" as you mainly just focused on Owlboy and how it is as a game rather than focusing just on the fact that it was high bit, which to be clear did receive some attention. Also found the spoiler warning to be somewhat late as you showed a lot of the game's surprises prior to that, I know it has more to offer but you still presented quite a bit of it. Good video.

[@snomangaming]

Yeah I wanted the "hi-bit" element to be sort of bookends on the video, introduce the idea and close with it, and since Mitch covered a lot of it already, just led to it at the end. I tried to be very careful with the spoiler warning, I can only think of one thing that might be "spoilery" before the warning, but if you don't know who the character is, it wouldn't really spoil it for you. Thanks for the feedback!

[@SJmapler]

Yeah I can see all that.

[@vukbo7859]

Great Video ^^

[@ErickTG]

great video

[@JavenOne]

Whats the game at 6:22 ? I remember playing the demo a LONG time ago and I wanted to play it again but I couldn't remember the name. Anyone!?

[@snomangaming]

Iconoclasts!

[@theboone3848]

I know I could just buy it on Steam, but I'd love to able to play Owlboy on my Switch. Seems like a perfect for it.

[@KingTwelveSixteen]

...Hi-bit isn't a genre. It's an art style. I guess technically you could call it a genre of art-style??? If you were REALLY stretching it?

[@OverclockedT]

KingTwelveSixteen was just about to post exactly this

[@koopakape]

Genre of art. Style-genre. I think it works totally fine to say it like that; genre doesn't have to only mean gameplay style.

[@snomangaming]

Yeah I was discussing this with friends as well. What's interesting is, at least so far, the "hi-bit" games have MOSTLY been similar genres. It would be really crazy to see a "hi-bit" RPG, or shooter, but they've mostly been platformers/adventure games. "Genre" in and of itself though is so broad and determined by the players that it's kind of whatever

[@nocturnalsunlight3639]

Hi-bit RPG... There actually is one in development. It's called Glitched.

[@doubled6490]

HI bit is no genre... This game isnt platformer like many other hi bits-

[@otimo144]

What are the three games at the end?

[@rbradhill]

Solid video as ever, and holy crap owlboy... also, mind dropping your friend's link into the description for mobile users who can't tap the in-picture link?

[@snomangaming]

Added it to the description :) Also, here just for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5jGmY2wpsuasNk

[@rbradhill]

snomaN Gaming - awesome, thanks on both counts :D (parent gamer, often restricted to few-minute bursts of one-thumb interaction lol)

[@snomangaming]

I totally feel you :P I wanted to use the endslate feature so that it would show up on mobile, but then I couldn't put an annotation for the spoilers :/ wish youtube would have a fix for that

[@nateofnathan8297]

Hey snowman I'm new to the channel love it so far and Since you are a souls fan like I am do you plan on ranking the bosses?

[@snomangaming]

Hah no plans for that yet, but I do love me some Dark Souls, might come back to it eventually for a video

[@nateofnathan8297]

snomaN Gaming that's awesome love the content.

[@cerberus8341]

hey snow man would you recommend something simmiliar to kindgom hearts or final fantasy but without emulators

[@snomangaming]

Power of Light Uhh, Xenoblade? There's one for the Wii, and Wii U

[@cerberus8341]

snomaN Gaming i forgot to say pc only in my country there ar eno sonsoles and you cant find them anywhere

[@jgcooper]

oh boy, more of this ciclejerk

[@snomangaming]

*rolls eyes*

[@Cyberbrickmaster1986]

The only problem I have with buying this game is that it costs too much, and GOG for whatever reason won't drop the price on sale lower than 10%.

[@ornmagnus]

same here hope they drop the price enough for the holiday sale

[@snomangaming]

It's well worth the price IMO, it's a decent length and WAY cheaper than AAA's

[@placeholder1308]

If you take all those romsn numbers and match them to their corresponding letter it says "oneofthefourvaits" whatever that means.

[@mwep415]

Hey man, do you have a steam curator thing? because I'd totally follow it if you did!

[@snomangaming]

No I don't unfortunately :/ I'll look into it tho

[@highgradedro]

I think two of the games that remind me of this is CaveStory Ika-chan

[@Grim_Pinata]

To be honest, if you're going to make pixel art this high quality you might as well just make a normal texture or whatever. But it still looks very great.

[@angryscientist01]

What is that game at 6:25 ?

[@snomangaming]

MegaSphere. All games shown are in the description

[@angryscientist01]

Somehow I did not notice the games in the description.

[@jessicalee333]

But... how could they hear your wings flapping if you're an _owl_ boy?

[@wezth]

Wich song from the OST is used during the very end of this video? The last seconds.

[@johnbirdwatch]

It's the Strato theme!

[@wezth]

Ian Fieldhouse I found out earlier, but thanks anyway!

[@RPGgrenade]

I played this game through recently. And it was pretty interesting. It's definitely a good game, but for some reason I expected to enjoy it more? I dunno. Something about the world setting and stuff kinda made the world itself feel unfinished. Like it didn't seem like these people actually lived there because they only ever spoke of the capitol and stuff. Like I didn't get a sense that it was a world people knew about. everything else was great. But some more world building dialogue or set pieces to connect the lore more intricately or consistently would've made me enjoy it far more.

[@koonagueroagnis8174]

IMO Owlboy is up there with Garou, Last Blade and Metal Slug in terms of art. Shame there are almost no more AAA 2D games.

[@snomangaming]

For real, it's that good imo

[@name8895]

Would you say Owlboy is a metroidvania? Steam has that listed among its genres and I'm contemplating buying it just based on that.

[@snomangaming]

I'd say it's a little more linear than that, I wouldn't call it a full blown metroidvania no, but still an unforgettable experience!

[@name8895]

Alright, thanks for the input! I'm pretty sure I'll get it when the opportunity arises

[@dubya13207]

Hey, that was Heart Forth, Alicia, wasn't it? Is that out yet? I don't remember seeing the announcement on my Kickstarter

[@snomangaming]

No it's still in development, but I think they gave it a 2017 release window!

[@soundsofstabbing3627]

shovel knight doesn't have restrictions it has beautiful landscapes and ( hot take) I think it's hi-bit as well

[@Shazalakazoobang]

This "restrictions" are not about your perception of what might seem beautifull or not, that is a strictly technical matter, defined by what the developer might or might not use and which theoretical console generation it is oriented upin in developing. Cyber Shadow, for example, could be almost played on an original NES, only thing altered is the addition of paralax scrolling and the number of sprites that can be displayed. This is, what he is talking about! Allthough he is a dilletante, as there is no such thing as a "hi bit genre" , as this is an artistic style of display, not a genre (which is defined by gamedesign questions).... But who am I telling this, amirite?

[@soundsofstabbing3627]

@@Shazalakazoobang fuck off you pretentious pile of shit it has more colors than the nes and it's sprites are more detailed. the sprites don't share a palette either. I was just saying that it looked amazing and not at all like an nes game so I called it hi bit because it looked hi bit. but who am I telling this, amirite?

[@MusiMaThetra]

can you make a good game design about Sonic?

[@rooty]

All these games need to zoom in the camera a bit. You can't make highly detailed sprites and then have screens that show probably three or four times more environment than true 16-bit games like LttP.

[@lampentlamp7628]

Do you mind if I post a link of this video on Tumblr? I tried seeing if you posted a link on your tumblr but I couldn't find it.

[@snomangaming]

Yeah please, go ahead!

[@VideosbySteve]

What game @ :21? Is it Enter the Gungeon?

[@jamesbevan9939]

Yep.

[@Codricmon]

I have finally finished playing Owlboy yesterday, and in all honesty, I didn't find it all that great. The visuals are amazing, and so is the soundtrack, but that's about it. I was done rather quickly with it (and I REALLY take my time with games), and even if I go to the tedious lengths of collecting everything there is in this game, I still wouldn't feel like the time I spent with this game is worth the 23€ (dunno how much in costs outside of Germany) you would have to pay on Steam. (Luckily, I got it in a Humble Bundle.) If you really want to play this game, I'd suggest waiting until it's on sale. Aside from the unintuitive controls - I honestly gave up on the cannon minigame, it's just not enjoyable enough to warrant getting used to it -, the game doesn't use the potential it has very well. Most of the puzzles don't seem to exist to make you think, but rather to hinder your progress ; combat is repetitive and not very much fun to begin with, plus there is no reward (like health pick-ups or anything), so I just avoided it if I could. (Also, the automatic lock-on mechanic bothered me much more than it helped.) The worldbuilding is nice and makes me hope for a (better made) sequel, but the story isn't very well handled. I don't want to spoil too much, but after finishing the game, I felt like the whole point of Otus being berated at the beginning for messing everything up is just reinforced by the ending (or rather, the entire game), instead of him redeeming himself. It makes me sad to say all this (and I wanted to say much more), and I really want to like this game, because it is apparent how much love is put into it, but in the end, it just isn't very good. It isn't terribly bad, either, but rather mediocre, which is a shame.

[@Redvox57]

owl *inhale* *BOIIIIIIIIIII*

[@kevincruz7958]

How is Hi-Bit a genre? I thought genre implied gameplay style, not visual style.

[@kasidas30]

Is this game coming out on ps4 and vita? Anyone?

[@jedwell9531]

I bought this game because I stumbled upon this review, and I really tried to like it. But it felt unpolished in so many ways. The art, music and characters were awesome, but the gameplay was so incredibly clunky and frustrating that the game simple couldn't sell me on it's better aspects. Really, I wouldn't have expected a game that looks this good to have so unresponsive controls. At least half the time it felt like the game was at fault when I got hit. And for the price tag, I think it's a bit too short, at least for my taste. For anyone having an eye on this game but hesitating because of the price, just get Hollow Knight instead. Far more refined gameplay and at least three times the content for a lower price.

[@Silver-Rexy]

*Notices Megasphere* OwO What's this?

[@chachawho435]

Is it for wii u

[@snomangaming]

PC only as of now

[@VulcanGray]

at what resolution is it not pixel art anymore?

[@GRAHFXENO]

Pretty much when you enter "vector art" graphic territory.

[@snomangaming]

HAHA You know what, that is a really good point, all game art is technically pixel art right? You sorta blew my mind :P But I guess when it is actually done pixel by pixel instead of hand-drawn, vector, etc.

[@justking2114]

i feel like i got spoiled for enter the gungeon

[@Late0NightPC]

The High DraGun isn't the final boss for the game. A late game boss, but not end game

[@snomangaming]

True that ^ sorry if you still felt spoiled tho

[@kinanschannel6016]

i like indie games

[@ginney1032]

kinan butter I like turtles

[@LaCriaturaDelMar]

Hi-Bit isn't a genre, it's an artistic choice.

[@snomangaming]

An artistic genre :P

[@biocta]

What is the game at 6:21?

[@snomangaming]

Iconoclasts. All games shown are in the description in order of appearance

[@makesomebacon]

U watch that snarky tone when you speak of hyper light drifter sir. -_-

[@zeroguard1043]

I want OWLBOY 2 PLEASE ON NINTENDO SWITCH

[@qwargly]

Visually this game heavilly reminds me of the original rayman

[@CalamackLP]

excited for the game but waiting on the Switch version they announced. Can't play indie games any other way now, I've been ruined.

[@JasonRoofie]

How are you able to upload on KZbin if you're stuck between two pipes?

[@ShibuNub3305]

Its a special power only some have acquired. It goes by many names: ridiculousness, Fucking logic--- I like to call it trevor.

[@linkpalmer]

Thanks for the spoiler alert!

[@yvrelna]

Full colour pixel art is not old school/retro. While 8-bit/16-bit pixel art can be considered old school because it tries to emulate limitations that are no longer relevant in current hardware, full colour pixel art is just a stylistic choice that's just as current as any modern art style and not a retro art style.

[@nutzdeez3947]

shit nostalgia bumps

[@randomguy6679]

TonyDaDerp not shit

[@nutzdeez3947]

yah i didnt mean the nostalgia was shit, i meant it took me over. haha

[@Lulink013]

I agree on some points, but it also has some flaws you see all along the game that won't let it shine all the way through: The combat is too long and boring, the puzzles are ultra obvious and only a few actually use your move-set in creative ways. The movement sucks: you move so slowly and the dash ability is the best option so... taptaptaptaptaptaptap... You get it: it's annoying and the sound it makes is even worth after 150 listens. The characters aren't always given enough time and development to care for them in the moments the game expects you to (I am referring to the destruction of the city). The lack of map... The screen shows you such a small part of the biggest rooms it gets confusing really fast and makes the exploration tedious. If you have seen Super Bunnyhop's review, I merely repeated his words as I agree a lot with it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZnTmHqtr5yhe7M

[@snomangaming]

Ya know, a lot of people have complained about the dashing getting annoying, but it never bothered me. Maybe I'm conditioned from Kazooie's Talon Trot in BK :P But I would say that most of those other complaints are just personal preference. I thought the combat was great, and I think the lack of a map is intentional, otherwise it would be too easy to find the hidden secrets (though I'm just assuming that's why they didn't add one). I did see Bunnyhop's vid, and I thought he was way too critical of it, but hey to each their own! I'm definitely not saying anyone HAS to love the game, I just did :)

[@juliestephens276]

MOAR