Bootstrap Island

About

Bootstrap Island is a single player survival simulation game with fantasy and historical themes. It was developed by Maru VR and was released on February 22, 2024. It received positive reviews from players.

Stranded on a dangerous 17th-century island, Bootstrap Island challenges you to survive through instinct and skill in a ruthless roguelike experience. The dynamic environment features complex systems like weather, fire, and day-night cycles that create unpredictable obstacles. Each run reshuffles resources and events, encouraging adaptation and discovery while unraveling the survivor’s mysterious past.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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85%

Audience ScoreBased on 718 reviews

gameplay39 positive mentions

stability18 negative mentions

Incredibly immersive gameplay with stunning graphics and realistic physics.
The game offers a unique survival experience with engaging mechanics like breaking coconuts and building fires.
The developers are responsive to community feedback and actively working on updates to improve the game.

The day/night cycle is too short, making it difficult to explore and gather resources before nightfall.
There is a lack of inventory management, forcing players to carry items in their hands, which can be cumbersome.
The game can feel repetitive after a while, with limited content and objectives to pursue.

gameplay
123 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
63%
5%
The gameplay in this early access survival game is immersive and features satisfying mechanics, such as realistic fire-starting and resource gathering. However, many players find the day/night cycle too short and the gameplay loop repetitive, leading to frustration with the roguelike elements that require repeated attempts to unlock new items. While the graphics and physics are praised, the lack of content and a coherent tutorial hinder the overall experience, leaving players wanting more depth and exploration opportunities.
- “Very immersive! The gameplay loop is repetitive, but it doesn't make it bad. The night is lowkey fun, and the fact they added a peaceful mode makes it even better for exploration. The physics are also really good, and I love the fact that every two nights you survive, you unlock a new item to help your next run.”
- “The survival mechanics feel raw and realistic, from starting a fire with flint to hunting for food and crafting tools. The graphics are great, and the mechanics are satisfying.”
- “The gameplay loop and replayability is amazing as well. Very great game; controls are amazing, graphics are amazing, and gameplay and physics are so good.”
- “The short day/night cycles and the general gameplay loop of finding resources, building a fire, surviving the night, and repeating can be frustrating, especially due to the short days.”
- “Not fun, especially since the gameplay itself is so repetitive and boring and there's nothing interesting to do; all there is to the game is figuring out how to survive the night.”
- “The gameplay loop is that you make a fire, sit in a corner, then do it again because the days are maybe 5 minutes long, so you can't explore, which is counterintuitive.”
graphics
93 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
32%
3%
The graphics of the game receive high praise for their stunning visuals and immersive detail, with many players noting the breathtaking scenery and realistic physics. However, performance issues, including poor frame rates and optimization challenges, detract from the experience for some users, particularly on lower-end systems. Overall, while the graphics are considered some of the best in VR, they require a powerful computer to fully enjoy.
- “The graphics are breathtaking, and the detail (such as the sudden wet feeling you get in real life after getting jumpscared by a frog - devs, how do you do that?) is also wonderful.”
- “If you’re looking for a game that keeps you on the edge of your seat with heart-pounding moments and awe-inspiring graphics, this one is definitely worth checking out!”
- “The graphics are some of the best I have seen in a VR game.”
- “The frame rate ranges from poor to unplayable, even on the lowest possible graphics settings.”
- “Unfortunately, the game runs poorly on my system no matter the graphical options I choose (I average around 70 fps and for VR I need stable 90 fps; otherwise, I get motion sick).”
- “Way too laggy; I had all my graphics on the lowest with a 3060 Ti and it was still unplayable.”
story
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
67%
5%
The game's story has received mixed feedback, with some players praising its potential and immersive elements, while others feel it lacks depth and progression. Many users express a desire for more narrative content and clearer storytelling, particularly in the context of survival mechanics. Overall, while the game shows promise, it is seen as needing further development to enhance its story experience, especially for those playing on lower-end VR systems like the Quest 2.
- “I'm also really excited about how the story will turn out.”
- “Amazing game! I love how the story expands as you discover the world. The commentary is great as well and adds a slight humor to the game but doesn't break immersion. This is the best and one of the few I've ever seen.”
- “This game is insanely underrated just because it's in VR. If you're at all interested in a high-performance, realistic-looking VR survival game with in-depth mechanics, unique enemies, and an actually interesting story and setting, this is the game.”
- “No storytelling, just... 'you feel as you should get to a higher point...' okay, we get it!”
- “The game is in early access and the story does not go very far yet.”
- “Realistic and good physics and mechanics in the game, really enjoyed it, hope more content would be added in the future as I thought there wasn't enough story and things to do in the game.”
optimization
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
67%
15%
Overall, the game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players experiencing performance issues regardless of their hardware capabilities. While some users report acceptable performance with high-end graphics cards, others struggle with severe lag, stuttering, and long load times, indicating a need for substantial optimization improvements. Despite its engaging gameplay and graphics, the current performance problems hinder the overall experience for a large portion of the player base.
- “I hope the developers put some time into optimizing the game for better performance.”
- “Stunning graphics and great optimization with some good physics.”
- “Fortunately, the game uses OpenXR and will provide optimal performance no matter if you use Index and Meta HMDs.”
- “I don't entirely blame the developers for this, because Unreal Engine is notorious for horrible performance.”
- “The game is amazing, but the optimization is really bad. I turned down everything to the point where it was unplayable because the resolution was so far down, and I have a good graphics card.”
- “If you pick up a coconut or stab a crab or walk 5 steps, I hope you're ready to pay the punishment of sitting on a load screen of 5 minutes. Great game, but absolutely terrible optimization that doesn't allow 95% of people with affordable VR setups to play. Absolutely do not recommend.”
stability
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with users reporting frequent freezes, glitches, and crashes that disrupt gameplay. Many players experience issues such as spawning under the map, inconsistent AI behavior, and the need for high-end hardware to achieve even minimal performance. While some acknowledge minor bugs as typical for early access, the overall sentiment leans towards frustration with the game's current state of stability.
- “Freezes non-stop about every 4 seconds for 1 second.”
- “This game is a buggy, unplayable mess.”
- “You need the highest-end VR and PC just to walk in the game; I have a high-end PC and an Oculus Quest 2, and my game just glitches out every half a second.”
atmosphere
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
15%
23%
The atmosphere in Bootstrap Island is widely praised as one of its standout features, with users highlighting its immersive and palpable environment, especially during storms. The game's graphics and sense of discovery contribute to a tense and engaging experience, reminiscent of other survival titles like The Forest, while the polished visuals enhance the overall ambiance. Even in its early state, players find the atmosphere captivating, making it a memorable VR survival experience.
- “The atmosphere and environment are nothing short of incredible, pulling you into its world from the very first moment.”
- “The atmosphere, especially during a storm, is so palpable you almost expect to feel the rain.”
- “What this game has going for it is atmosphere.”
- “But the atmosphere, the challenge, and the sense of discovery make it a standout.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
20%
30%
The music in the game is highly praised, with users noting its quality and effectiveness in enhancing the atmosphere, particularly during nighttime and combat scenarios. While some players wish for more varied soundtracks, the existing music is described as engaging and well-composed, contributing significantly to the overall experience. The combination of music and sound effects, including the narrator's voice acting, adds depth to the gameplay, making it a standout feature for many players.
- “The soundtrack is a pretty good banger too (especially at night).”
- “The graphics are beautiful, the models are realistic, the music is super good, and the guns feel surprisingly smooth.”
- “The game has wonderful music and voice acting; I love the narrator.”
- “I will say that once you learn to make the fire before the scary music starts playing, you've mastered the most lethal part of the game.”
- “As soon as you hear a change in tone of the music it means the combat is over, even if the enemies are still in front of you, you can just drop your weapons and get moving.”
- “Also, every night past like 2 nights you'll get attacked and it'll play battle music, but if you have a fire, the beasts will like never actually run at you and attack. Even then, you can't really fight back as far as I could tell (I loaded like 5 shots into one of those bat things and it didn't seem to affect it at all) and they'll only attack you that one single time.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
20%
40%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while the initial playthroughs are enjoyable and engaging, many players find that it diminishes significantly after a few hours, particularly for those who prefer not to engage in hardcore modes. The foundation for replayability is strong, but improvements are needed to enhance long-term engagement.
- “The gameplay loop and replayability is amazing as well.”
- “Replayability - 7/10”
- “The replay value is a bit questionable, but the playthroughs until you unlock everything and experience the island are great.”
- “The game has a really good foundation to build upon, but right now it has very low replayability after the first few hours, especially for people who don't normally play hardcore mode in games (for example: if you die, you lose your character and have to start over).”
grinding
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly due to the short day length and the repetitive nature of defending against creatures at night. The survival mechanics, while realistic, contribute to a sense of monotony, as players often feel compelled to invest significant time just to prepare for inevitable deaths and lengthy travel distances. Suggestions for improvements include adding multiplayer features, farming elements, and a peaceful mode to alleviate the grind.
- “The 'rogue-like' approach, food/drink, and day/night cycles just make it a grindy chore - die a lot (put in hours), and you can have equipment!”
- “It's just tedious moving like a football field's distance then having to prepare for night or auto death.”
- “However, the day length is too short and cannot be adjusted, and I find the nights tedious because all you can do is defend yourself from the different creatures that show up.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the humor in the game, noting that it adds a lighthearted touch to the experience without breaking immersion. The comedic elements, such as absurd scenarios and witty commentary, enhance the overall enjoyment and contribute to the game's charm. Many reviewers express their love for the game, highlighting its engaging story and entertaining moments.
- “Woke up, swam to shore, only ate coconuts, killed a komodo dragon with a pistol I found, went inland, started going mad and laughing after I wasted my only shot on a wild boar.”
- “Amazing game! I love how the story expands as you discover the world. The commentary is great as well and adds a slight humor to the game but doesn't break immersion. This is the best and one of the few I've ever seen. It's amazing that the devs listen to the players. I have not died so far and have enjoyed every thrilling second of it. I love the game and absolutely recommend buying it, even in this earlier stage. There is so much to discover and do. This is my favorite VR game and easily in my top two. Most definitely recommend buying it as long as your specs are good enough to run the game.”
- “10/10, hit a funny dog with a rock.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, often feeling overwhelmed and frustrated by its mechanics, which can lead to moments of despair. Despite these challenges, the emotional investment is significant, with many finding the experience ultimately rewarding and impactful.
- “This game makes me want to cry myself to sleep every time, but it's worth it every time.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate a strong concern among users regarding the monetization practices of the game, with many fearing it may be a cash grab similar to other titles in the VR market. There is skepticism about the developers' commitment to delivering a full release, with some believing the game is unlikely to progress beyond its current state.
- “Hopefully the devs keep going and don't just cash grab like all the other VR devs.”
- “I hope this is not just another VR cash grab that is plaguing the VR marketplace.”
- “This is a pure cash grab; it will never see the light of day in a full release. How do I know?”