ISLAND

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 175 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • emotional
ISLAND Game Cover
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"ISLAND is a single-player mystery visual novel game with an intriguing story and beautiful visuals. As amnesiac Setsuna, you'll explore Urashima island and its inhabitants' pasts to uncover hidden secrets and protect what you value most. With multiple routes and endings, will you save Urashima from soot blight syndrome, or become lost in its complexities?"

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 175 reviews
story56 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • ISLAND features a deeply immersive narrative that balances heartfelt character interactions with mind-bending twists, making it a memorable experience for visual novel fans.
  • The game has a well-implemented flowchart system that allows players to navigate through multiple branching paths easily, making it simple to explore all story branches without needing multiple saves.
  • The soundtrack and art quality are exceptional, enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional impact of the story.
  • The pacing can be inconsistent, with some sections dragging on and the second half of the game feeling particularly slow and tedious for some players.
  • The protagonist's character is often criticized for being unlikable and engaging in inappropriate behavior, which detracts from the overall experience for many players.
  • The ending may not satisfy everyone, as it leaves some plot points ambiguous and can feel like a letdown after the buildup of the story.
  • story216 mentions

    The story of the visual novel is characterized by its intricate and layered narrative, which gradually reveals mysteries and character backgrounds, often through a time travel framework. While many players appreciate the depth and emotional engagement of the plot, some find it convoluted and slow-paced, particularly in the latter half, leading to mixed feelings about the resolution and character development. Overall, the storytelling is praised for its unique twists and character-driven focus, though it may not resonate with everyone due to its complexity and pacing issues.

    • “The expertly woven storytelling steadily peels back layers of mystery.”
    • “The story is unique, with a backdrop that is both cruel and realistic.”
    • “Island starts off slow, but quickly develops into a complex, mind-blowing story that puts Christopher Nolan to shame.”
    • “As I progressed through the story, the background about the main characters remains totally unclear since the main character lost almost all of his memories.”
    • “I just had no idea which of the main characters' background stories is the real one and which is wrong.”
    • “The eventual plot reveals and truth to the central mystery that we get are not bad, but that doesn't make up for the way the game uses them to bait you throughout most of its routes, then dump everything on you in an excruciatingly drawn-out way in the last leg of the story.”
  • music27 mentions

    The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many users praising the original soundtrack as one of the best they've experienced, enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional depth of the story. The sound design, including voice acting and background music, is noted for its immersive quality, effectively complementing the game's narrative and setting. Overall, the soundtrack significantly contributes to the game's appeal, making it a standout feature for players.

    • “The cherry on top is this game's sound design; the OST and voice acting are superb, and all the audio work does a real good job at sucking you into this world.”
    • “Island's original soundtrack is wonderfully composed and it truly delivers the perfect mood for the scenarios of the game.”
    • “The soundtrack leaves a high impact on the reading experience and makes the story overall enjoyable.”
    • “The sound in this visual novel is designed to be immersive; it has waves that crash during the opening prologue that sets the setting, it has dramatic background music to indicate a dramatic change in events or unexpected plot, etc. It doesn't end there, however; multiple channels of sounds mesh together to create the perfect setting of the plot or the event at hand, drawing attention to details that are important for the plot or advancement.”
    • “It's that kind of vibe the music gives and much more depending on the situation.”
  • emotional17 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "island" is characterized by its immersive storytelling, balancing heartfelt character interactions with suspenseful twists that evoke a range of feelings, from laughter to tears. While many players found the narrative deeply touching and capable of eliciting strong emotional responses, some criticized it for moments of absurdity that detracted from the overall impact. Overall, the game offers a rich emotional experience, though reactions may vary based on individual connections to the story and characters.

    • “Without spoiling the plot, Island is a deeply immersive journey that balances heartfelt character interactions with mind-bending twists.”
    • “It made me laugh, made me cry, made me think deeply, then made me smile when Setsuna finally won the happiness he had traveled so far to pursue.”
    • “Island is a sincere and touching story which is also surprisingly deep and rich and logically sound that I thoroughly enjoyed every second of.”
    • “Nothing remotely interesting happens, and I find myself just fast-clicking through the text because I just don't care about her or the boring story.”
  • graphics11 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning beauty and high production quality, with many reviewers highlighting the gorgeous art style and immaculate character designs. The visuals, complemented by smooth scene transitions and a captivating soundtrack, contribute significantly to an immersive experience that enhances the storytelling. Overall, the artwork is described as masterful, making it a standout feature of the visual novel.

    • “I know I don't need to say this because Steam's screenshots on the store page do it more than enough justice, but the visuals in this visual novel are so beautiful and everything about this game's art is just pleasing to the eyes.”
    • “The art style is gorgeous, the character graphics are beautiful, and the soundtrack is seriously one of the best I’ve heard in general.”
    • “That said, the production is high quality and the visuals (character art, CGs) are immaculate.”
    • “The graphics are subpar, with a lack of detail and poor textures that detract from the overall experience.”
    • “The character models look outdated and lack the polish expected from a modern game.”
    • “The environments feel bland and uninspired, making the game visually unappealing.”
  • humor8 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it genuinely funny and well-timed, while others criticize it for veering into crude and uncomfortable territory, particularly through the protagonist's inappropriate behavior. While moments of comedy are balanced with deeper emotional themes, the inconsistency in tone leaves some feeling that the game struggles to define its comedic identity. Overall, the humor can elicit laughter but is often overshadowed by problematic elements.

    • “The music is beautiful, the story is truly rich, and also with sprinkled comedy that's just so funny.”
    • “I felt like I had a window into the world and ordeals they were struggling through where I was rooting for them, laughing, and crying right there alongside them.”
    • “Moments of scientific thought get equally balanced out by moments of pure hilarious comedy that will keep you laughing for a good while, with a BGM that's perfectly timed in every situation.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development in the game is criticized for lacking depth and coherence, as it prioritizes misleading plot twists over meaningful growth and consistent personalities. While character designs are noted to be appealing, the narrative suffers from poor pacing and unsatisfying conclusions, detracting from the overall enjoyment.

    • “The character development is rich and engaging, with each character evolving in a way that feels authentic and satisfying.”
    • “The themes and morals woven into the character arcs add depth and complexity, making the story more impactful.”
    • “The pacing of character development is well-balanced, allowing for consistent personalities and a satisfying conclusion.”
    • “I'm not quite a fan of her character design, but her route is rife with bad endings if you tread wrongly.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its marvelous and immersive qualities, with users highlighting the beautifully crafted setting and soothing soundtrack that create a relaxing and captivating experience.

    • “The setting and music make Reading Island an overall very atmospheric and relaxing experience at times.”
    • “It is so beautifully made, and the soundtrack and atmosphere just suck you in.”
    • “Marvelous atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere feels lifeless and fails to engage the player.”
    • “Despite the beautiful graphics, the atmosphere lacks depth and immersion.”
    • “The soundtrack is forgettable, which detracts from the overall atmosphere of the game.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be lengthy and tedious, with some noting that while it can feel monotonous, the emotional payoff at the end makes it worthwhile. Despite the occasional humor and engaging elements, the overall experience is marred by repetitive plot elements.

    • “Personally, I just felt it was kind of tedious to go through even though there were many puns.”
    • “A very long and tedious visual novel rollercoaster of emotions; the ending was really worth it though.”
    • “Aside from a couple of tedious plot dumps, it's hard to find fault with the island.”
  • gameplay2 mentions

    The gameplay features a traditional visual novel format enhanced by a flowchart system that allows players to revisit previous scenarios for missed details. While it offers some game mechanics and lore, full enjoyment requires purchasing the game.

    • “You get to dive into game mechanics and a bit of lore, but to enjoy it to the fullest, you need to purchase the game.”
    • “The gameplay is just like any other visual novel, except it has a flowchart system that lets you revisit scenarios you have already experienced, making it really convenient if you ever missed any details.”
    • “You get to dabble in game mechanics and a bit of lore, but in order to enjoy it to the fullest, you need to purchase the game.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Users generally find the replayability of the game to be high, citing various factors such as multiple endings, diverse character choices, and engaging gameplay mechanics that encourage repeated playthroughs. Many appreciate the ability to explore different strategies and outcomes, enhancing the overall experience.

    • “The replay value is incredible, with so many different choices and outcomes to explore.”
    • “Each playthrough feels fresh and engaging, thanks to the diverse paths and character interactions.”
    • “I love how the game encourages multiple runs, revealing new secrets and storylines every time.”
    • “The replay value is quite low, as once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back.”
    • “After finishing the game, I found that there was no real reason to replay it; the experience felt complete.”
    • “The lack of varied outcomes or different paths makes replaying the game feel redundant.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Users report a stable experience with no noticeable lags or glitches, and the option to use a controller enhances gameplay without compromising performance.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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