Atomic Owl, from Monster Theater and eastasiasoft, is a 2D action-platformer that blends fast-paced combat with roguelite progression. Offering both a traditional Roguelite Mode and a No Roguelite Mode for players seeking a more forgiving experience, it follows Hidalgo on a quest to save his former allies from a mysterious corruption. Learn more in our Atomic Owl review!
An avian story of a bird and a chatty blade unfurls its feathers! Hidalgo Bladewing and his companions return to their favorite ramen spot following a perilous mission, only to be confronted by the vengeful void crow Omega Wing. Two years later, Hidalgo must rescue his fallen companions from the clutches of this ruthless old foe with the help of a chaotic, brash-talking sword.
A Familiar Tale That Supports the Action
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Atomic Owl from Monster Theater and eastasiasoft begins with Hidalgo reflecting on a tragedy that reshaped his life. Two years earlier, a surge of dark Meza energy corrupted the Bladewings, turning his companions into servants of the evil Omega Wing. After years away from the fight, Hidalgo is drawn back into conflict when he encounters an unlikely ally in the form of the Yutameta, a talking sword infused with Meza energy. The story is straightforward, but it does what it needs to do. It provides motivation for the action while giving just enough personality through Hidalgo and the Yutameta’s interactions to keep things engaging between battles.
Responsive Combat Keeps the Action Moving
Combat is where Atomic Owl immediately shines. Controls are tight and reactive, making moving, jumping, dashing, and attacking feel consistently satisfying. The flow between platforming and combat encounters is smooth, and the game rarely gets in its own way. The Yutameta schite is a standout gameplay mechanic, automatically targeting nearby enemies when thrown and keeping ranged combat simple and effective. Defeated enemies drop green and blue Meza orbs, feeding into the progression system. Green orbs increase your level and survivability, while blue orbs are spent on upgrades and enhancements at the hub.
Players can choose between the intended Roguelite Mode or No Roguelite Mode. In Roguelite Mode, death sends you back to the hub, but you retain your levels, upgrades, and customizations, ensuring progress always carries forward. It creates a steady sense of growth without harsh punishment, while the alternative mode lowers the friction for those who prefer a more relaxed experience. Boss encounters are another highlight. These massive fights are defined by huge health bars and extended encounters that test your understanding of the game’s systems. They act as satisfying milestones that punctuate the adventure with some of its most intense moments.
A Linear Journey Through Judanest
Atomic Owl is more of a straigthforward experience. Instead of encouraging backtracking or open exploration, the game guides players through a more direct path across its environments. The platforming is solid and functional, built around familiar elements like spikes, elevators, and traversal challenges. One of the standout ideas comes from sections where wind currents carry Hidalgo through the air, creating brief moments of speed and flow that help vary the pacing.
While the level design is consistent and supports the combat well, it rarely pushes beyond familiar ideas. Players expecting a deeper exploratory structure may find the journey more straightforward than anticipated.
Pixel Art and Music Help Atomic Owl Shine
Atomic Owl presents its world through detailed pixel art that remains clear even during chaotic encounters. The zoomed-out camera helps maintain readability, allowing players to track enemies and platforming hazards without losing clarity. The soundtrack is a clear highlight. Energetic and atmospheric, it consistently elevates both combat and exploration, giving the game a strong identity that lingers well beyond individual stages.
Voice acting is used selectively throughout the experience. Hidalgo delivers a solid performance, but the voice work is strangely inconsistent, with some dialogue fully voiced while other lines in the same scenes remain silent, giving the presentation an uneven feel.
Atomic Owl features a full trophy list with a Platinum trophy. The list includes 11 Silver trophies and 8 Gold trophies, with your trophy hunting progression tied mostly to story completion and boss encounters, alongside a few optional objectives and collectibles. There are some Eater eggs to find along the way if you search high and low as well.
Final Verdict
Atomic Owl succeeds through strong fundamentals. Its responsive controls, enjoyable combat, memorable boss fights, and excellent soundtrack create a consistently engaging experience from start to finish. While its level design remains fairly linear and familiar in structure, the moment-to-moment gameplay carries the experience effectively.
This game is easy to recommend to players looking for a fast-paced action-platformer with light roguelite progression and satisfying boss encounters. Those expecting a deeper exploration-driven metroidvania may find it more straightforward, but fans of tight combat-focused platformers should find plenty to enjoy. Atomic Owl is available as a Cross-Buy title, so your $12.99 purchase will allow you to download both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions of the game at no extra cost.
Disclaimer
This Atomic Owl review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by eastasiasoft .
