All of the fighting aside, I find the beauty of this game exists simply in flight.
The Owls of Ga'Hoole became my favorite book series after the animated feature dazzled me in 2010. It's somewhat of a strange thought that the video game is based off a movie that is based off a book. Know that the video game largely takes place in the movie's fiction, though there are countless goodies that fans of the book series will recognize and love.
In response to the game's story, it exists and is more entertaining than I thought it would be. It won't win any awards for creativity or originality, but your character, Shard, has an interesting past that adds a feeling of depth. If you've read the books, this depth is even easier to grasp as the entire Ga'Hoole world is rich with culture and detail.
The gameplay itself is as simple as could possibly be. If ever I lost a life, it was due to my inability to complete an objective on time or my inability to defend a certain owl group. Shard can take a healthy amount of damage, even in what seems like fatal plummets to the ground or a random tree. This bashing about doesn't mean the flight controls are difficult. These things just happen in heavy conflicts with a lot going on (or maybe I just suck. Who knows). The game has a "lock on" feature that focuses the camera on the nearest enemy or objective, which at times can disorient you. But the aid this feature provides far outweighs potential disorientation.
Shard's different attacks feel right, though there's a lack of intensity or violence in the combat that older players will notice. The world pauses shortly every time you hit an enemy as if to highlight or show off your move, but I personally believe it interrupts the flow of melee combat. Or perhaps I've just been playing too much of the "Condemned" games, you never know. But on a good note, Shard's intense yelling as he strikes is a nice touch of intensity that reminds you of your owl's anthropomorphic characteristics. It never really gets old.
All of the fighting aside, I find the beauty of this game exists simply in flight. The exploration of the Ga'Hoole tree, Tyto Forest, and several other iconic locations is a real treat for those who simply want to spend time as an owl. I only wish you could actually land or interact with characters outside of combat. Where the graphics shine is in the immense draw distance and quality environments throughout. Something like the Ga'Hoole tree feels sturdy though weathered in the sea's waves and mist. Fly close and you'll hear the tree creak. Fly above the ocean and you can almost feel the misty environment. Like I said, it's a real treat.
Children will love the flying, racing, and brawling with the various bats, Pure Ones, and Hagsfiends. Fans will love this glimpse in the Ga'Hoole world; the characters are fitting and the story is a nice frame to accompany, taking many aspects from the movie and books. Anyone else ought to enjoy themselves if you're into flying games or simple air combat. I recommend you at least see the animated film to have a more complete picture.
To conclude, I'll just say that the game is worth spending time with. I'm certainly still enjoying it.