Castaway Reviews
The thing is, Castaway most reminded us of inferior Zelda clones from back in the '90s. There’s just something about the slowness of the character that we found a bit frustrating. The overall simplicity of both gameplay options makes it difficult to fully recommend to anyone other than die-hard genre fans. There are no NPCs to talk to, no quirky alligators, villagers, or owls to add variety to the experience - all that’s left is an incredibly short and unoriginal, if pretty, action RPG.
Castaway doesn't reinvent the wheel, nor does it intend to. What Canari Games set out to do is to create a rock solid, short-but-sweet experience, and this endearing adventure game achieves just that.
If you're looking for a 30- to 40-hour adventure, Castaway is not for you. If you can appreciate a budget-priced, bite-sized love letter to a gaming classic, Castaway is right up your alley. For a busy gamer, the short play sessions are a plus, not a negative, and the speedrun mode adds additional replay value.
Castaway offers a pleasant way to pass a few hours for those wanting a light Zelda experience or maybe for those who’ve never had one. Its roguelike mode is definitely a highlight if you’re looking for something a bit different, but it’s a good idea not to go into the game as a whole expecting more than a fun diversion. I’d love to see either a new setting for a sequel or new game modes added in the future as there’s a lot to like about the simple charm of this deserted island and its plucky hero.
I could see this game getting a larger sequel or additional modes but as it stands it is a family-friendly, affordable, approachable tribute to one of gaming’s greatest adventures and that is pretty special.
Castaway brought a well planned mix of elements to compose an adventure that's brief but has an interesting level of challenge. If it offered more dungeon and enemy variation, it'd definitely get the highlight it deserves as its gameplay and mechanics are fun enough to make players keep playing even the repetitive floors of the Tower.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
I appreciate Castaway, as it really does capture the same vibes as a GBC Legend of Zelda game would, but wish there was more to it.
A tiny piece of top-down Zelda meant to be mastered, Castaway is not perfect, but possesses all the tools to awaken the casual perfectionist in any player.
Castaway may be short and may not bring much new to the table in terms of gameplay, but it has a lot of charm. From its nostalgic pixel design to its variety of difficulty settings, Castaway offers a pleasant gaming experience perfect for a warm summer weekend. Whether you’re playing alone or sharing the game with a younger player, the adventure feels worthwhile despite its brevity. Here’s hoping the game finds an audience so we can see more from this developer in the future.