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 32 reviews

graphics5 positive mentions

The game features charming artwork and a whimsical atmosphere reminiscent of 90s cartoons.
Puzzles are well-designed and provide a nice balance of challenge without being overly difficult.
The addition of in-game tools like a notepad and screenshot function enhances the gameplay experience.

Some puzzles can feel disconnected from the story, leading to frustration and reliance on walkthroughs.
The game lacks Steam achievements, which is disappointing for players who enjoy tracking their progress.
The interface can be cumbersome on certain devices, and there are instances of pixel hunting that detract from the experience.

story
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The story in these games is highly praised for its depth and engagement, with players appreciating the connection between the narrative and the puzzles. The sequel builds on its predecessor by offering a more fleshed-out storyline and additional gameplay tools, enhancing the overall experience. Players also commend the quality of translations and the richness of NPC interactions that further elaborate on the game's background.
- “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.”
- “Quite a few NPCs will have a good number of lines to tell you, explaining a bit more about the story and background; 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.”
- “And I wonder if it has any part in this? The best puzzles are when you begin to connect abstractly presented ideas, linked by a need presented by the story.”
graphics
7 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 complementing the engaging puzzles.
- “Very whimsical and delightful graphics.”
- “The artwork is brilliant - as always!”
- “The slightly surreal atmosphere is even better here, as is the artwork.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
50%
The gameplay offers over an hour of engaging content, maintaining the high standard set by its predecessor, Isoland 1, with noticeable improvements in polish. However, some users noted that the ending mechanics could be better designed, which slightly detracts from 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.”
- “The gameplay was on par with Isoland 1 but seemed a tad more polished in places.”
- “This facilitated smoother gameplay for a better experience.”
- “The gameplay was the same standard as Isoland 1 but seemed a tad more polished in places.”
- “The only downside is the ending mechanics, which could be designed much better.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere is characterized by a slightly surreal quality, enhanced by impressive artwork and relaxing music, which collectively create an engaging environment for solving puzzles.
- “The slightly surreal atmosphere is even better here, as is the artwork.”
- “The music is relaxing as well, contributing to a great atmosphere for tackling these puzzles.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
Players note that the game offers slight variations in each playthrough, which can enhance replayability. However, some users found themselves frustrated when unable to solve puzzles, as walkthroughs often featured different versions, leading to potential stagnation in progress.
- “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 and scenarios ensures that no two games feel the same, enhancing the overall replayability.”
- “They were slightly different each time you started the game; I can see that would increase replay value, but in my case, when I was not able to solve one, all the walkthroughs and videos available showed different versions of that puzzle, so I was stuck.”
- “The game lacks meaningful choices that would encourage me to replay it. Once you've seen the story, there's little incentive to go back.”
- “While the game offers multiple endings, the paths to those endings feel too similar, making it hard to justify replaying.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The music is noted for its relaxing quality, effectively enhancing the atmosphere and complementing the puzzle-solving experience.
- “The music is relaxing and helps create a great atmosphere for tackling these puzzles.”
- “The soundtrack perfectly complements the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.”
- “Each track is thoughtfully composed, adding depth and emotion to the game's narrative.”