Islets Reviews
At this point in time, it takes a lot to stand out in a sea of Metroidvania action platformers. With its gorgeous presentation and memorable boss fights, Islets does just that. It has some of the tightest platforming I’ve ever experienced, but I felt that the unbalanced combat design drags it down. I really enjoyed my time with Islets - it took me around 12 hours to beat the game, and it certainly doesn’t feel like time wasted - and I’d recommend it to any fan of Metroidvanias, but I don’t think it has universal appeal.
I promise you, it’ll leave you charmed and hungry for more.
Islets promises a surprisingly wholesome story while featuring a lot of classic Metroidvania mechanics, and it certainly delivers. The beautiful landscapes and island inhabitants create an unforgettable journey. Filled with monstrous rivals, tense, timing-based platforming, and some well-hidden puzzles, this title is much more than a run-of-the-mill Metroidvania. Outside the eight-ish-hour campaign, there are enough collectibles scattered across each island to keep players coming back, and to be honest; it's hard to leave the charming cast of creatures behind.
Islets is a gorgeous little indie that's definitely worth checking out if you're a Metroidvania aficionado.
Islets is a compact, very nice metroidvania, full of ideas and adorable characters. A beautiful, hand-drawn world divided into six parts to be put together, rebuilt, setting off on an adventure that is as crazy as it is epic.
Review in Italian | Read full review
But different isn’t necessarily bad! It’s as if the game is incredibly easy or way too hard. The level of challenge feels like it’s just in that Goldilocks Zone. There’s enough cleverness in the level design that you can’t help but admire it. I think there’s still plenty of room left in the hand-drawn indie Metroidvania genre. (Silksong isn’t even out yet!) Islets is another standout in the genre, fun and charming.
Overall, Islets is a charming adventure with a large cast of memorable characters, interesting monsters, and wholesome story that far outweigh its minor pitfalls and is perfect for players itching for a new Metroidvania.
The combat itself is a bit lacking, and it may be on the shorter side for some at about 10 hours, but it successfully delivers on its unique concept to provide a fun, concise experience. When you combine all of the above with the lower price point, Islets is an easy game to recommend to fans of the genre looking for a more relaxed Metroidvanian jaunt.
Overall, Islets’ straightforward gameplay and wholesome presentation deliver an enjoyable Metroidvania experience.
The charming metroidvania has a difficult task for you - to connect the separated islands and restore the world. It's both fun and challenging, but you can adjust it to your abilities.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Movement and combat feel good, the abilities you get are fun to use, maps are well designed and satisfying to explore, and bosses are challenging in a way that makes them memorable. Outside of some qualms with how upgrade tokens sometimes make rewards not as worthwhile as they should be, I have very little negative to say about my time with Islets. If you find yourself hankering for another metroidvania that does what it says on the tin, and does it competently, this is definitely a game to have your eye on. Those islands aren't going to reconnect themselves.
Islets keeps things simple with its Metroidvania formula yet it accomplishes its satisfying gameplay so exceptionally well that it's hard to stop playing it once you start. Plus, watching the islands come together has to be one of the most rewarding mechanics in the genre.
Islets is one of those games that I enjoyed way more than I initially anticipated. I adored its simplistic gameplay whilst also engaging you enough to think outside the box. Sure you’ll find some exquisite titles that are similar out there such as Hollow Knight or the Ori series, but if you’re a fan of those types of experiences then there is absolutely something for you here and it beds in amongst the greats of the Metroidvania category.
With its colorful art and slightly different-than-the-norm Metroidvania flavor, Islets has legs on the Switch
Islets is a metroidvania that enchants with its charisma. Exploring floating islands is quite enjoyable as there is a great balance and variety between combat, exploration and platforming. The boss battles, in particular, are very creative and interesting. Also, the atmosphere is lovely, with humorous characters and beautiful visuals. The game competently executes the main platform concepts, but leaves something to be desired as metroidvania with some underdeveloped ideas. However, the intention is clear to offer a friendly and relaxed experience, and in that the title gets it right. In the end, Islets is a simple and captivating adventure.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Islets may look like it follows the basic adventure game template. But within the first hour of play you can see it’s so much more. Islets did what few games tend to do, it took me on a gripping adventure of mystery and intrigue. I met memorable characters, fought huge bosses and, most of all got, kind of emotional in places. If a game is able to do that then I could only think of one fitting rating to give it. Of course I’ll step back and admit not everyone may have this experience. But if you love your 2D adventures Islets ticks all the boxes whilst offering a few new sounds on the formula itself, with its regular upgrades and air travel segments. I may have reviewed this on PC but when finances are agreeable I’ll be picking this up on Nintendo Switch too.
Overall, Islets is cute and will offer a lot of fun to those who’ve played other popular platformers in recent years. The cute world and characters offer a lot of charm and it’s always a pleasure when you come across a new creature. That being said, the combat is pretty repetitive and there isn’t enough information provided about your objective when entering a new area.