Isoland 2: Ashes of Time

About

"Isoland 2: Ashes of Time" is a puzzle-based adventure game set on a hand-drawn island filled with wonders and traces of a lost civilization. Players will embark on a philosophical journey, solving non-linear puzzles and helping the island's citizens, leading to the discovery of long-forgotten secrets and a unique fusion of captivating gameplay and thought-provoking storytelling. Meet a cast of quirky characters, tinker with mysterious machinery, and enjoy a lighthearted, yet reflective experience, as you unravel the mysteries of Isoland.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 64 reviews

story6 positive mentions

The game features charming artwork and a whimsical style reminiscent of 90s cartoons, enhancing the overall experience.
Puzzles are engaging and well-designed, providing a nice balance of challenge without being overly difficult.
The addition of in-game tools like a notepad and screenshot function improves gameplay and helps players keep track of clues.

Some puzzles can feel disconnected from the game's narrative, leading to frustration when trying to solve them.
The game lacks Steam achievements, which disappointed some players who expected more recognition for their accomplishments.
Certain gameplay mechanics, such as pixel hunting and obscure item interactions, can detract from the overall enjoyment.

story
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
36%
21%
The story in these games is highly praised for its depth and engagement, with players appreciating the beautiful art and the way puzzles are intricately linked to the narrative. The sequel offers a more fleshed-out storyline and additional gameplay tools, enhancing the overall experience. Players also note the quality of translations and the richness of NPC interactions that further elaborate on the game's background.
- “Beautiful game and story.”
- “Following in the footsteps of the first game, this one has a more fleshed out story, more puzzles, and additional tools for functionality while you play, including a notepad with several pages for you to draw and to write notes to yourself, as well as a screengrab function in-game that removes the HUD for better screenshots but mostly for taking notes for yourself.”
- “Quite a few NPCs will have a good number of lines to tell you, explaining to you a bit more about the story and background. While the game was developed by a Chinese team, the translations in this game are very good.”
- “The game really encourages you to go again even if you know the progression of the game and story; the puzzles themselves will offer new challenges.”
- “Quite a few NPCs will have a good number of lines to tell you, explaining a bit more about the story and background. While the game was developed by a Chinese team, the translations in this game are very good.”
- “Following in the footsteps of the first game, this one has a more fleshed-out story, more puzzles, and additional tools for functionality while you play, including a notepad with several pages for you to draw and write notes to yourself, as well as a screengrab function in-game that removes the HUD for better screenshots but mostly for taking notes for yourself.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
29%
The graphics are widely praised for their whimsical and delightful art style, reminiscent of 90s cartoons. Reviewers highlight the brilliant artwork and slightly surreal atmosphere, noting that it maintains the high quality of the previous game while enhancing the overall visual experience.
- “Very whimsical and delightful graphics.”
- “The artwork is brilliant - as always!”
- “The slightly surreal atmosphere is even better here, as is the artwork.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The gameplay offers over an hour of engaging content, maintaining the high standards set by its predecessor, Isoland 1, while showing some improvements in polish. However, the ending mechanics are noted as a downside, suggesting room for better design to enhance the overall experience.
- “You'll get more than an hour's worth of gameplay for your dollar; you'll experience another round of this fantastic oddness and, of course, a phase of change.”
- “This facilitated smoother gameplay for a better experience.”
- “But again, the only downside is the ending mechanics which could be designed much better.”
- “The gameplay was the same standard as Isoland 1 but seemed a tad more polished in places.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game features a slightly surreal atmosphere enhanced by impressive artwork and relaxing music, which collectively create an inviting environment for players to engage with the puzzles.
- “The slightly surreal atmosphere is even better here, as is the artwork.”
- “The music is relaxing as well, creating a good atmosphere to tackle these puzzles.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
100%
Players note that the game offers slight variations in puzzles with each playthrough, which could enhance replayability. However, some users found themselves frustrated when unable to solve puzzles, as available walkthroughs often featured different versions, leading to a sense of being stuck.
- “The game offers a unique experience each time you start, which significantly boosts its replay value.”
- “Each playthrough presents slightly different challenges, making it enticing to return for more.”
- “The variety in puzzles ensures that no two sessions feel the same, enhancing the overall replayability.”
- “The game offers slight variations each time you start, which could enhance replay value. However, I found myself stuck on a puzzle, and all the walkthroughs and videos showed different versions of it, leaving me frustrated.”
- “While the game has some differences in each playthrough that might suggest replayability, I encountered a situation where I couldn't solve a puzzle, and the available guides only added to my confusion with their differing solutions.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music in the game is consistently described as relaxing, effectively enhancing the atmosphere and providing a soothing backdrop for players as they engage with the puzzles.
- “The music is relaxing and helps create a good atmosphere to tackle these puzzles.”

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