Islands of Insight Reviews
Islands of Insight is one of the most ambitious puzzle games I've played, with a huge open world and progression hooks that make it essential.
I definitely had fun solving a bunch of puzzles, especially ones that involved finding the right visual path through a group of rings or playing a sort of reverse Minesweeper with black and white squares. Others, like hidden objects or hunting for nodes inside a boundary, were annoying but I never felt forced to try them. There’s a lot to like about that idea of zero pressure puzzle-solving. But everything else, like leaping, floating, and gliding around the open world, filling in the skill tree, or deciphering the map and other UI elements, bogged me down. Islands of Insight is a shot at blending together ambitious scale with cozy gaming, and has to try harder than it should to not collapse under its own weight.
Islands of Insight is the modern reinvention the puzzle genre needs.
With a massive scope of puzzles to solve, Islands of Insight has something for every puzzle enthusiast out there.
Those niggles aside though, we can’t deny that Islands of Insight is one of the best puzzle games we’ve ever played. The sheer amount of puzzles on offer here is incredible, without ever being overwhelming. There’s a solid sense of progression, with goals to work towards – but you’re also free to explore however you wish, tackling the puzzles that interest you and, for the most part, ignoring the ones you don’t enjoy as much. It’s already great but with a few updates over time, Islands of Insight could really be something special.
Islands of the Insight really wanted to be The Witness, but on a much larger scale, but it played a cruel joke on them. The puzzles are for the most part easy and don't even try to surprise with anything, which, given the immense number of them, looks more like a mockery.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Still, despite a number of parts of Islands of Insight not connecting with me fully, what always did was the puzzles themselves. They’re so consistently engaging that I found myself ignoring the parts of the game that I didn’t love so I could keep engaging with them. Islands of Insight is a great game to jump into for ten minutes just to knock a few puzzles out before going about your day or to get lost in for hours as you try to solve every match 3 puzzle you can find.
Islands of Insight is not just a game; it’s an ever-evolving puzzle utopia. With puzzles that refresh over time, every visit to the islands promises a new discovery, keeping players engaged and eager to unravel the mysteries that lie ahead. The combination of exploration, puzzle-solving, and customization makes Islands of Insight a must-play for anyone seeking a harmonious blend of relaxation and mental stimulation. Step into the shoes of a Seeker and let your curiosity guide you through this captivating and enchanting world.
“Islands of Insight” looks and feels like an “all you can eat” buffet of puzzle games that ranges from logic puzzles to hidden objects. It’s open-ended structure leans into a very chill experience that can provide challenge when you want it. But its online requirement and the lack of local saves undermines what it should’ve been a title I expected to play for months to come.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Islands of Insight is a beautiful, never-ending puzzle experience that doesn't try to be anything other than what it is.
Whether you're a seasoned puzzler or new to the genre, Islands of Insights offers something for everyone, providing a decidedly zen and laid-back experience for a sprawling puzzle adventure unlike anything you have ever experienced. Go forth and be the ultimate Seeker!
Islands of Insight feels like the developers took the Korok challenges from the recent The Legend of Zelda titles and crossed them with The Witness. It’s a wonderful playground full of different kinds of puzzles, some deviously crafted into the environment itself. While there’s little story to latch on to and no real fail-state, the thrill of discovery has definitely kept us going far longer into the night than we thought possible. This review was tested before general multiplayer went live, therefore we can’t speak as to how well the MMO-like aspects blend into general gameplay.
Review in German | Read full review
Island of Insight is a sandbox adventure game that's brimming with hundreds of unique puzzles to solve. It's not a game in the traditional sense, rather, a sandbox experience that allows you to mold it however you want. It's a solid educational tool and a perfect aid for winding down at the end of the day while keeping your mind active.
At no point was I rushed or pushed towards a linear path. Islands of Insight respects your time, and ensures that you take your time. The way puzzles are introduced feel organic, and it has its own way of ramping of difficulty in each area. So that when you reach even the third or fourth island, you’re still starting fresh, and not dealing with near impossible puzzles. Lunarch Studios have made something special here, and being able to do that in a shared open-world with others is a delight. Islands of Insight is joyful, peaceful, and a relaxing experience that’s absolutely worth it.
Islands of Insight is an incredibly enjoyable and addictive open-world puzzle game. Unfortunately, the game's online features do not convince me of its need for an internet connection. As someone who lost all my in-game progress thanks to this, I can't say that Islands of Insight is a truly functional product as of writing this review. It may be wise to stay away from this one unless offline play somehow becomes an option.