Escape From Lavender Island

About

"Escape From Lavender Island" is a narrative-driven open-world game set on a surreal island colonized by an evil corporation and occupied by aliens. As Zede, you must explore the city sightseeing, collecting masks and ships, and uncovering the truth about the corporation's plans. The game features a unique soundtrack, immersive storytelling, and controller support. Watch out for aliens with two butts and two mouths while navigating through the engaging world.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

+13

99%

Audience ScoreBased on 141 reviews

gameplay12 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The game offers a unique and surreal experience with captivating visuals and a bizarre art style that enhances its themes.
Gameplay is engaging with a variety of mini-games and exploration elements that keep players entertained and encourage interaction with the world.
The narrative, while abstract, is thought-provoking and filled with humor, providing a satirical critique of society that resonates with many players.

The game can feel clunky at times, with floaty controls and some mechanics that may not be fully realized or consistent throughout.
There are unskippable scenes and dialogue that can slow down the pacing, detracting from the overall experience.
The lack of a MacOS port and the need for third-party programs to play can be frustrating for some users.

gameplay
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
42%
12%
The gameplay is characterized by its unique mechanics, engaging exploration, and a blend of humor and satire, creating an entertaining experience. Players appreciate the creative use of sandbox elements and various abilities that encourage interaction with the environment, although some mechanics may feel underutilized. Overall, the game offers a charming and quirky adventure, despite some clunky aspects and a narrative that may not resonate with everyone.
- “Overall, despite its narrative not quite hitting the mark for me, this game blends its weirdness, gameplay, and exploration in a way that kept me entertained the whole way through.”
- “Such a good experience, let alone game - weird, satirical world-building, charmingly bespoke psychedelic design, and genuinely unique gameplay mechanics (like the noclip x-ray mask that allows you to make walls or the floor disappear, opening up entirely new sublevels and dioramas), all that wrap a story and characters that are genuinely touching and funny.”
- “Not only does it have an absolutely banging soundtrack, but the collectathon-style gameplay and many side-quests keep the fun rolling for hours.”
- “Many mechanics and game ideas are introduced, used once, and abandoned forever.”
- “This is actually a really good game, I don't understand the story, the gameplay, the reason the dev made this, but I understand it's really weird.”
- “It may feel a bit clunky and I think it's part of the charm, but if you give it a chance, you might find a very charming collection game, full of very deep and thought-provoking themes, hilarious moments, and just overall creative mechanics - admittedly a bit disturbing at times.”
story
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
54%
12%
The game's story is described as intriguing and unconventional, blending deeper meanings with a surreal, satirical world that captivates players. While it may lack a traditional plot, the immersive environment, unique mechanics, and charming visuals contribute to a memorable experience filled with quirky characters and relatable themes. Overall, players appreciate the blend of humor and emotional depth, making it a standout aspect of the game despite its eccentricity.
- “I highly recommend playing it, whether for the deeper meaning in the story, or for the zany melancholic weirdness it presents.”
- “Such a good experience, let alone game - wyrd, satirical world-building, charmingly bespoke psychedelic design, and genuinely unique gameplay mechanics, all that wrap a story and characters that are genuinely touching and funny.”
- “Terrific story, terrific visuals, easy to get lost in.”
- “The story is whatever you interpret it to be.”
- “There's not really a big plot or anything like this, but the whole environment is well made, so it's easy to immerse.”
- “I think the personal story dialog that plays every once in a while is a bit annoying, but with that said, this game is worth experiencing.”
graphics
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
35%
18%
The game's graphics are characterized by a unique and bizarre art style that draws inspiration from 90s aesthetics and psychedelic designs, appealing to fans of abstract and surreal visuals. Reviewers praise the visuals for enhancing the game's post-apocalyptic themes and immersive storytelling, making it a captivating experience despite some technical limitations for certain platforms. Overall, the graphics are seen as a standout feature that complements the gameplay and narrative effectively.
- “What drew my attention to this game is its bizarre art style; it somewhat reminded me of LSD Dream Emulator, which got me pretty interested.”
- “The visuals are absolutely astonishing; they are not only quite unique but they are extremely satisfying to look at if you're into this kind of psychedelic designs.”
- “It reminds me of the 90s with the graphics and abstract weirdness.”
- “Saw it online about a month ago when it had released but wrote it off at first as just being another walking sim with a weird art style, gave the demo a try and ended up loving it.”
- “Lavender Island is a game that I think has surreal environments and abstract themes that may take time to appreciate when you first see it, but it's a game that truly shines with its captivating lore and stylish presentation through its abstract 3D art style.”
humor
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its blend of absurdity and existential themes, featuring clever dialogue and engaging moments that keep players entertained. Reviewers highlight the game's unique mechanics and charming design, which complement its thoughtful and often hilarious writing. Overall, the humor is described as both insightful and deeply funny, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “This game is funny, existential, beautiful, and personal, all while still being a genuinely fun game to play.”
- “The dialogues are all stupidly funny, even if filled with critiques or existential thoughts from time to time.”
- “There's a special combination of absurdist humor with a sad sober look at life that makes all of Jeremy's games dear to me.”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
38%
25%
The music in the game is highly praised for its engaging and eclectic soundtrack, which enhances the exploration and gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight specific tracks, particularly in the second area, for their catchy beats that encourage extended play sessions. Overall, the soundtrack is described as unique and atmospheric, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal.
- “The soundtrack also absolutely slaps, especially the so-tep slums or whatever the second area is called with that minimal tech-house 4-on-the-floor beat it's got going on.”
- “Not only does it have an absolutely banging soundtrack, but the collectathon style gameplay and many side-quests keep the fun rolling for hours.”
- “I love the colors, the music so lovely it really doesn't sound like 'video game music' (more Chris Parello! Yay! - did I hear just a tiny bit of music here from Jef? Or Fuzz Dungeon?), and the oddities that abound throughout.”
- “I wish the soundtrack was available for purchase purely based on me head-bopping to that one track alone, but unfortunately, I can't find it anywhere.”
- “I need this soundtrack in my life, not gonna lie.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers a deeply emotional experience through its unique blend of surreal and touching storytelling, complemented by charming design and innovative gameplay mechanics. Players encounter a wide range of narratives that evoke a spectrum of feelings, from humor to heartbreak, making the world both engaging and memorable.
- “Such a good experience, let alone game - wyrd, satirical world-building, charmingly bespoke psychedelic design, and genuinely unique gameplay mechanics (like the noclip x-ray mask that allows you to make walls or the floor disappear, opening up entirely new sublevels and dioramas), all that wrap a story and characters that are genuinely touching and funny.”
- “From the surreal to the authentically touching, this is a world filled with narrative.”
- “The stories range from the mundane to the revolutionary, from the pornographic to the erudite, from the crass to the heartbreaking.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding in the game to be somewhat tedious but ultimately satisfying, as it does not feel like a chore and contributes positively to the overall experience.
- “Grinding in this game feels more like a chore than a rewarding experience.”
- “The repetitive nature of grinding makes it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
- “I found the grinding to be excessively tedious, which detracted from my overall enjoyment.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization is praised for its immersive design, featuring hidden exhibitions and unique performances that encourage exploration. Players appreciate the seamless integration of diverse activities and characters, enhancing the overall experience in the expansive environment.
- “Entire exhibitions are hidden underground and arthouse movies dotted across rooftops, animated short stories and musical performances nestled in this huge corporate dream city. It keeps making you want to explore to see what new strange ability you'll get next, and what eccentric characters you'll meet because of it.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The atmosphere is characterized by a perfect, albeit minimal and subdued, musical score that effectively cultivates an off-beat ambiance, enhancing the overall experience.
- “The music is perfect for cultivating an off-beat atmosphere, even if it is a bit minimal and subdued.”
- “The game's environment immerses you in a hauntingly beautiful world that feels alive.”
- “Every sound and visual detail contributes to an atmosphere that is both eerie and captivating.”