Owlboy

The first thing you’ll notice about Owlboy (if you press play, and ignore that awful title card on the YouTube video above) is its art. Its pixel art is outstanding, reminiscent of the very best of the ‘90s, while far more intricate than anything ever seen back then. The next thing I think you’ll notice is the music, which is stunning throughout. All of which means that amongst the loveliness of the trailer, you may not even pick up on the game’s best feature: the way your Owlboy character, Otus, carries different people with his talons to take advantage of their differing skills.

Robot pirates are invading Otus’s homeland, and despite being sidelined by his peers, the brave young winged creature teams up with other outcasts to fight back, which involves solving environmental puzzles, lots of exploration, and some twin-stick combat using the abilities of whichever chum is currently in yours claws.

Ten years in development, by a team of five, the result is an absolutely exquisite game, with such an engaging storyline. It’s filled with remarkable twists, and dialogue that’ll remind you of the wonderful writing and timing in the Mario & Luigi games (despite just how different a game this is). Also, the flying—your main means of movement—is divine.