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Islets

Islets Game Cover
94%Game Brain Score
Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, music
Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, replayability
97% User Score Based on 1,543 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPCEpic GamesPlaystation 5Playstation 4Xbox OneXboxWindowsPlayStation
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Islets Game Cover

About Islets

Islets is a single player open world role playing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Kyle Thompson and was released on August 24, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Take to the sky and reunite a fragmented world in this surprisingly wholesome metroidvania! Help Iko adventure across beautiful hand-painted islands, receive letters from a quirky cast of characters, and face powerful monstrous adversaries.

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Islets screenshot
Islets screenshot
Islets screenshot
Islets screenshot
Islets screenshot
Islets screenshot
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Islets screenshot
Islets screenshot
Islets screenshot
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Reviews

97%Audience ScoreBased on 1,543 reviews
gameplay164 positive mentions
grinding28 negative mentions
  • Beautiful hand-drawn art style with charming and funny characters that enrich the game world.
  • Smooth, tight, and satisfying movement and combat mechanics that make exploration and platforming enjoyable.
  • Unique map mechanic where reconnecting floating islands dynamically opens new paths, adding freshness to backtracking and exploration.
  • Well-balanced difficulty with adjustable settings, allowing for a relaxing or challenging experience suitable for newcomers and veterans alike.
  • Engaging and diverse boss fights combining platforming and bullet hell mechanics, mostly fair and rewarding.
  • Relaxing and upbeat soundtrack that fits well with the game's whimsical and lighthearted tone.
  • Short and well-paced experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome, suitable for a quick, fun metroidvania session.
  • Controls can feel floaty and slippery at times, especially mid-air movement, which may frustrate some players.
  • Some areas feel repetitive or barren with minimal visual or gameplay variety, making exploration sometimes dull.
  • Upgrade system relies on random choices with some upgrades feeling useless or underutilized.
  • Boss fights can become repetitive or too easy when fully upgraded; some bullet hell patterns can feel overwhelming or unfair due to lack of air-dodge and healing mid-combat.
  • The overworld airship segments and some bosses feel less polished or out of place compared to main gameplay.
  • Missing some quality of life features such as better map marking tools, and some backtracking can be tedious despite fast travel points.
  • Minor bugs and UI/controller input issues reported, especially with controller recognition and button mapping.
  • The story and narrative are simple and not very deep, which may underwhelm players looking for a rich lore experience.

  • gameplay

    345 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    48% positive mentions, 51% neutral mentions, 1% negative mentions

    Islets delivers a charming and accessible metroidvania experience with smooth, tight controls, satisfying movement, and a variety of mechanics—including a unique island-connecting map system—that keep gameplay engaging without overwhelming players. While combat and exploration are generally fun and well-paced, some mechanics feel underutilized and the gameplay can be simple or repetitive for seasoned genre veterans. Overall, its polished gameplay, forgiving difficulty, and enjoyable progression make it a solid, cozy metroidvania suited especially for newcomers and those seeking a relaxing but satisfying challenge.

    • “Each encounter introduces new mechanics and enough variety to stay interesting throughout most of the journey.”
    • “The bosses were solid, the characters were endearing, the art was lovely, the gameplay was fun, with good movement - it hit pretty much everything I'd want in a metroidvania, and then didn't overstay its welcome, with a timespan that felt substantial enough to be a worthwhile experience without dragging.”
    • “The gameplay hits that classic metroidvania vibe where you start small, unlock new abilities over time and slowly explore the areas that once were off-limit.”
    • “The gameplay is pretty bad because the music is the same for all bosses, and too many bosses rely on projectile spam.”
    • “The gameplay is slow, exploration feels sluggish, and it lacks momentum or any real challenge between bosses.”
    • “Gameplay might be the weakest part of the game.”

  • music

    302 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    63% positive mentions, 36% neutral mentions, 1% negative mentions

    The music in this game is widely praised for its relaxing, atmospheric, and fitting quality, complementing the charming art style and enhancing the overall cozy and immersive experience. While some note a lack of variety, especially in boss tracks, the soundtrack is generally regarded as high quality, memorable, and a standout feature that significantly elevates the gameplay and world-building.

    • “The intrigue of the story, breathtaking art direction of its visuals, humor and charm of its characters and writing and the enchanting ambiance of the soundtrack by Eric Thompson all come together to deliver a compact 10-hour metroidvania masterpiece.”
    • “The soundtrack perfectly complements the game’s aesthetic, enhancing the overall experience. Its approachable difficulty, charming art, and emotive soundtrack make it a standout title in the genre.”
    • “The music and ambience are superb; the mood is relaxing and chill, with a soundtrack that fits the diverse areas perfectly, including exceptional boss themes that stay memorable long after playing.”
    • “The gameplay is pretty bad because the music is the same for all bosses, and too many bosses are just projectile spam.”
    • “Platforming is simply okay, combat is quite bad, exploration is hampered by an unnecessary overworld, character progression is constricted by a weird RNG system, the sound design is weak, and the music is forgettable.”
    • “+/- the same soundtrack on every boss, would be nice to have a variety to give every boss fight an individual atmosphere.”

  • graphics

    272 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    59% positive mentions, 40% neutral mentions, 1% negative mentions

    The game's graphics feature a charming, hand-drawn, colorful art style often compared to Studio Ghibli, providing a cozy and whimsical atmosphere that many reviewers found delightful. Visuals are praised for their smooth animation, distinct character designs, and appealing environments that complement the gameplay and narrative. While not aiming for high-end realism, the graphics effectively enhance the game's mood and charm, making it especially inviting for fans of stylized, cartoon-like aesthetics.

    • “The visual style of Islets is beautifully crafted, with a hand-drawn, painted art style that stands out as truly unique compared to most games on the market. While the art might seem a bit 'blocky' or basic at times, it quickly becomes clear that this aesthetic fits the world perfectly. The game's art style was clearly designed with intention, and if you can set aside any preconceived notions, you'll find yourself falling in love with this whimsical, animated world.”
    • “Islets features a colorful, hand-drawn art style with a charming, cartoon-like aesthetic. The art style is whimsical, richly colored, and full of gentle humor. The overall art style and atmosphere is very 'studio ghibli', the dialogues are witty and funny enough to keep you entertained. The artwork is simple but adorable and was one of the reasons I picked up the game in the first place.”
    • “The graphics are amazing and very pleasant, you can tell a lot of time and love went into this game. Most critically of all, the art style is beautiful and the characters are adorable. The visuals are beautifully drawn, the audio sounds great and seems to fit very well with what's going on, and the characters seem to be full of life and personality. The art style is paired perfectly with the musical score, and traversing the environment never feels like a chore.”
    • “One drawback of the art style is that (understandably) some shortcuts were made in level design, and some levels feel very "gamey" and take me out of the world, as assets feel like they're stretched, oversized, placed rushedly or arbitrarily.”
    • “This makes the game feel a bit more cheap and less cohesive than a simpler artstyle (or much more effort in drawing even more specialised assets) would have achieved.”
    • “The controls and graphics don't feel quite as polished as some other metroidvanias, but that did not stop me from having a great time with Islets.”

  • story

    267 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    36% positive mentions, 60% neutral mentions, 4% negative mentions

    The story of the game is simple, lighthearted, and charming, focusing on reconnecting floating islands while introducing quirky, memorable characters. Although not deeply complex or heavy, it is well-written with humor and warmth, effectively complementing the game's artistic style and exploration-driven gameplay. Overall, it provides a pleasant, wholesome narrative experience that fits well within its short, accessible metroidvania design.

    • “The intrigue of the story, breathtaking art direction of its visuals, humor and charm of its characters and writing and the enchanting ambiance of the soundtrack by Eric Thompson all come together to deliver a compact 10 or so hour metroidvania masterpiece, which managed to fly under many people’s radars throughout its past two years of existence.”
    • “The story is good and just enough to tie everything together, build a world, and keep you moving forward, without getting in the way or taking itself too seriously.”
    • “Instead, the game allows the connections you form to build organically throughout the game and by the end, you'll be truly invested in the story and a lot of these characters, even the ones you hate.”
    • “By filing its narrative down so much it succeeds in creating a somewhat storybook presentation, but doesn't really succeed at being compelling.”
    • “It feels quite generic and lacks depth in gameplay and story.”
    • “Lastly, the writing—while inoffensive—adds very little to the experience, with a plot and characters consisting entirely of by-the-numbers tropes and some unfortunately flat attempts at humor.”

  • humor

    138 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The game's humor is widely praised for its charming, lighthearted, and quirky character interactions, with many noting the witty and amusing dialogue that adds warmth and personality without overwhelming the gameplay. Characters like Snoot and the tour guide stand out for their comedic appeal, contributing to an overall fun, wholesome, and endearing atmosphere. While the humor isn't always laugh-out-loud, it consistently provides enjoyable, heartfelt moments that enhance the relaxing and accessible metroidvania experience.

    • “The humor is on point; I smiled and laughed throughout at the dialogue and character interactions (my favorites are the tour guide and your overconfident rival).”
    • “Everything about this game is filled with lots of heartwarming laughs, witty humor, and adorable characters that no matter how bratty they may seem, I can't help but love them.”
    • “The tour guide is just a hilariously ridiculous character as he desperately tries to lure unsuspecting adventurers to their deaths and I genuinely looked forward to every encounter with him even though it usually heralded a boss fight of some kind.”

  • emotional

    63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The game is widely praised for its wholesome, heartwarming atmosphere, adorable characters, and charming storytelling that evokes joy, humor, and emotional satisfaction despite its simplicity and lighthearted nature. While not deeply complex or emotionally intense, it effectively delivers a feel-good, emotionally uplifting experience complemented by a fitting soundtrack and engaging exploration. Some players note its accessible and relaxed challenge enhances its pleasant, emotionally comforting vibe.

    • “It's a heartfelt adventure that's easy to recommend to anyone looking for a shorter, beautifully crafted exploration game.”
    • “The premise is simple, but the emotional undercurrent—hope, perseverance, curiosity—gives the journey meaning beyond mechanics.”
    • “I love this game to death, perfect entry level metroidvania, has an incredibly cute art style and the story while not super complex or long, still made me feel a little empty inside when it was finally over, the characters are adorable and the ending is really wholesome and heartwarming.”

  • atmosphere

    60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    68% positive mentions, 27% neutral mentions, 5% negative mentions

    The game is widely praised for its cohesive, dreamlike, and relaxing atmosphere, beautifully enhanced by charming art, diverse world-building, and an atmospheric soundtrack that perfectly matches each area's mood. Its laid-back, cozy vibe is complemented by witty dialogues, memorable characters, and a balance between lightheartedness and occasional tension, making it appealing for both newcomers and genre veterans. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature that deeply enriches exploration and gameplay.

    • “The atmosphere, world-building, dialogue, music, level design, and art were all fantastic and cohesive.”
    • “The atmosphere, art direction, and environmental design are breathtaking at times; I found myself stopping to stare at the art across the different islands and skies often.”
    • “The different atmospheres in each of the different stages are so well done, ranging from cozy to creepy to maybe not scary but perhaps uncomfortable, and the music and sound effects are spot on.”
    • “The soundtrack during boss fights lacks variety, which would help give each boss an individual atmosphere.”
    • “The game has a brighter atmosphere and easier difficulty compared to similar titles; none of the bosses took more than two or three tries.”
    • “The atmosphere is very laid back and relaxing, making the gameplay less challenging compared to other games in the genre.”

  • grinding

    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    3% positive mentions, 9% neutral mentions, 88% negative mentions

    Grinding in the game is generally minimal and non-tedious, with upgrades feeling rewarding without excessive farming. Some players note occasional currency grinding for expensive upgrades or achievements, but overall the progression is smooth, avoiding frustrating or repetitive backtracking. The experience is accessible and fair, making grinding optional rather than a necessity.

    • “No grinding needed to get upgrades.”
    • “- Grinding for upgrades kinda sucks, I wanted more upgrades, but the upgrades are 400-2500 each and even late game enemies only yield 5-8 currency.”
    • “One of the upgrades is very expensive and grinding for it is a pain.”
    • “That, and the achievement for 10 arrow damage means I would have had to spend hours farming to upgrade my arrows.”

  • character development

    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    33% positive mentions, 50% neutral mentions, 17% negative mentions

    The character development is generally praised for its charming, cohesive, and cute cartoon-style designs that add personality and humor to the story, with well-rounded and engaging characters. While some find certain movement abilities uninspired or the designs not to their taste, the narrative growth of the protagonist and supporting cast is appreciated, contributing to an enjoyable and wholesome experience.

    • “Iko's journey sees him not only grow via the hero's quest, but also allows him to witness the character development of the friends he meets along the way.”
    • “Not since Hollow Knight have I been so delighted by the characters throughout; Snoot, Greybird, Goba and all in between are both tongue-in-cheek clichés and well rounded, with a dash of Saturday morning cartoon character development.”
    • “The art, music, character design, and dialogue mesh together well to create an experience that's relaxing, humorous, and enjoyable.”
    • “Didn't connect with the character design and the character movement felt weird to me when I tried Islets for the first time.”
    • “Some of the movement abilities feel a little uninspired despite the cute character design and fun combat.”
    • “The character design is not my favourite.”

  • replayability

    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    21% positive mentions, 58% neutral mentions, 21% negative mentions

    Replayability opinions are mixed, with some users finding the game lacking in depth and reason to replay beyond the initial run, while others highlight challenge modes, boss rush, and collectible secrets that enhance replay value. The game is generally seen as short, but certain modes and upgrades offer added incentive for repeat playthroughs. Overall, replayability depends on player preference for challenge and exploration elements.

    • “An adorable little game with a surprising amount of lore and replayability for something so clearly indie.”
    • “It's cute, it's quirky without trying too hard, the combat is rewarding without being overly frustrating, and the replay value is astronomical.”
    • “Lots of checkpoints, lots of replayability through challenge mode and if it's too hard there is assist mode.”
    • “The game does look nice and is overall a 6.5/10 but since it doesn't have that much replayability and is semi short for its price I can't say it is worth a buy.”
    • “Would likely wait for a sale since in my opinion there's not too much replayability but it's worth picking up for a bit of fun.”
    • “4: it's too short and there really isn't much replayability.”

  • stability

    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    10% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 90% negative mentions

    The game generally runs stably with smooth performance, especially on the Steam Deck, though minor graphical glitches appear in black borders and resolution scaling. Some input issues exist, such as buggy Xbox controller bumpers and problematic keyboard bindings, but these do not severely impact gameplay. Overall, stability is solid despite a few visual and control quirks.

    • “Runs great on the Steam Deck!”
    • “The only negative is that an Xbox controller seems to be buggy and the game does not recognize the bumper buttons.”
    • “Unfortunately, the frame doesn't match resolution, so it can end up with glitches above and below, but it recognizes all inputs and is basically a phantom power draw.”
    • “So far, no cloud saves, no ultrawide support, buggy keyboard bindings (says that a key is repeated but there is no key repeated, tried saving the keybindings correctly, the left walking direction always resets).”

  • optimization

    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    44% positive mentions, 23% neutral mentions, 33% negative mentions

    The game is highly optimized, running smoothly and stably on a wide range of systems, including low-end PCs and handheld devices like the Steam Deck. It generally maintains solid performance with minimal to no frame drops or bugs, though minor stuttering can occasionally occur when using an external monitor on the Steam Deck. Overall, the experience is fluid and reliable across platforms.

    • “Islets runs smoothly on almost any modern system, including low-end PCs and handheld devices.”
    • “Performance is rock-solid with no noticeable frame drops or technical hiccups.”
    • “In terms of performance, the game runs incredibly fluidly and stably, maintaining a solid 144hz throughout my playthrough.”
    • “My Steam Deck plays the game beautifully for the most part, but there seems to be a weird hitching/stuttering issue that is a minor annoyance when outputting to an external monitor.”
    • “Note: Plays well on Steam Deck except for minor stuttering once in a while.”
    • “The game plays really well, but there is occasional stuttering that affects the smoothness of gameplay.”

  • monetization

    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    0% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 100% negative mentions

    The provided text does not address monetization, focusing instead on in-game NPC interactions and writing style. Therefore, no summary regarding monetization can be derived from it.

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Critic Reviews

80%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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Play Times

9h Median play time
9h Average play time
7-11h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 15 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Islets is a open world role playing game with fantasy theme. Common tags for Islets include indie, 2d, exploration, family friendly, nature and others.

Islets is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 9 hours playing Islets.

Islets was released on August 24, 2022.

Islets was developed by Kyle Thompson.

Islets has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked Islets for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Islets is a single player game.

Similar games include Crypt Custodian, SHEEPO, Haiku, the Robot, Death's Door, Momodora: Reverie Under The Moonlight and others.