Under the Island
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Critic Reviews for Under the Island
Under the Island is a charming, old-school adventure that rewards curiosity with clever puzzles, playful humor, and a beautiful island packed with secrets. Its sense of freedom and discovery shines far brighter than its modest combat, making Seashell Island a place you’ll want to fully explore.
Under the Island is the perfect fit for gamers who long for the older days of dungeon exploration focused Zelda titles and is one of the most polished and enjoyable retro throwbacks you'll find. The charming story and characters, and the high quality of the level design help this to really shine.
Get ready to smile with Under the Island, the indie game that nails the 90s Zelda vibe!
Under the Island, from developer Slime King Games, gives a firm tip-of-the-hat with its design and execution to games like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Under the Island contains good action, sometimes difficult puzzles, and a hefty amount of exploration to keep one’s attention firmly locked into the gameplay. The difficulty of some of the puzzles might feel a bit unbalanced and heavy, in comparison to the action, but the payoff feels worth that trouble.
Under the Island nails the exploration and puzzle solving side of the Zelda formula, but lacks the narrative hooks or tight combat encounters players might expect.
Under the Island understands why people love this genre. There's a great focus on exploration and combat is accessible without being complex. You are rewarded for curiosity with new gear, expanded wallets, hidden secrets, and clever shortcuts. The pacing picks up significantly once you earn your first dungeon item, and from there progression feels steady and gratifying. It is a heartfelt take on the classic top down adventure formula. It blends nostalgia with its own quirky identity and keeps the experience compact and inviting from start to finish. On Switch especially, it feels like the kind of game you can pick up for a quick session and accidentally play for hours. It is lighthearted without being shallow, simple without being empty, and creative without losing clarity. If you have been craving a Zelda-like experience that remembers what made those older adventures special while still carving out its own personality, this is one you should not let slip beneath the surface.
Under The Island is a fun little jaunt that is brimming with personality. The game's excellent balance makes explorationthe consistently rewarding, while solid puzzling and a bright narrative help to round out experience.
