The Isle

About

The Isle is a multiplayer open world role playing game with a horror theme. It was developed by Afterthought LLC and was released on December 1, 2015. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

The Isle is intended to be a gritty, open-world survival horror game. Explore vast landscapes of dense forest and open plains, traverse treacherous mountains and wade through dark swamps where horrors lurk. Hidden within are ruins that hold insight as to what came before. Through it all, keep in mind there is only one goal: survive.

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80%

Audience ScoreBased on 88,818 reviews

gameplay1.9k positive mentions

stability1.9k negative mentions

gameplay
7,124 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
64%
9%
The gameplay of "The Isle" has received mixed reviews, with many players highlighting its potential for immersive dinosaur survival experiences but criticizing its repetitive and often frustrating mechanics. While the graphics and unique dinosaur mechanics are praised, players frequently express dissatisfaction with the slow progression, lack of engaging activities, and the overwhelming presence of bugs and server issues that detract from the overall experience. The game is seen as a blend of survival simulation and social interaction, but many feel it lacks a solid gameplay loop, making it more of a waiting simulator than an engaging game.
- “Underwater gameplay is extremely well-made, the combat mechanics are unique (i.e. hallucinogenic venom and ambushing from trees), the individual models in the game are highly detailed, and the status effects, mutations, and dietary system provide a very randomized depth to gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is really engaging, and there’s always something interesting happening, whether you’re hunting, surviving, or exploring.”
- “The mechanics are great, it’s a basic survival simulator that functions well and not everything is given to you for free.”
- “Horrible performance, boring gameplay, and a toxic playerbase.”
- “This game has been kicking the can down the road since 2016 and not only does it not have a gameplay loop, the map isn't finished.”
- “The gameplay loop is currently incomplete and once you're an adult there's not much to do.”
graphics
5,806 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
33%
3%
The graphics of "The Isle" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning realism and attention to detail, with many players praising the lifelike dinosaur models and immersive environments. However, the game is also noted for its high system requirements, leading to performance issues on lower-end PCs, which can detract from the overall experience. While the visuals are often described as breathtaking, some players express frustration with optimization problems and the game's reliance on graphics over gameplay mechanics.
- “This game is a beauty, amazing graphics and realistic dinosaurs.”
- “The graphics are incredible, they’re very realistic & you feel like you’re truly walking through an overgrown landscape.”
- “The graphics are stunning with great animation and awesome attention to detail.”
- “I have an amazing brand new PC and this game runs from 5 fps to 40 fps at mostly low graphics.”
- “Graphics - the map looks the same everywhere and is hell to navigate, you can see the patterning in how the trees are placed which looks artificial, the scatter brushing of bushes and grass is overdone, everything is pixelated and grainy, the audio glitches a lot and the game is optimized worse than Beasts of Bermuda.”
- “Even running it on high settings on a 3060 when it is playable looks like PS3 graphics.”
stability
1,918 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The stability of "The Isle" has been a significant point of contention among players, with many reviews highlighting its persistent bugs and glitches even after years of development. Users report frequent crashes, server instability, and various gameplay-affecting issues, leading to a frustrating experience that often results in lost progress. While some players acknowledge the game's potential and enjoy its concept, the overwhelming consensus is that it remains a buggy and unoptimized experience, making it difficult to recommend in its current state.
- “Immersive, playable, not very buggy, smooth motion, good graphics, good multiplayer, quite a few dinosaurs you can be, a positive direction for future development.”
- “The game is not very buggy and it does run fairly smoothly.”
- “The game looks amazing and runs pretty well, not buggy or anything, and the game objectively is great.”
- “Can't really recommend something that's still so buggy after nearly ten years of development.”
- “Its insane to expect player to wait for hours to get into a glitchy buggy game that they will due to bugs have to log back out of in no time flat.”
- “The game is completely broken and full of run ending bugs, glitches, etc that should not exist in a game this new, games from 1995 are more playable than this crap.”
optimization
1,298 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
52%
33%
The optimization of the game has been widely criticized, with many users reporting severe performance issues, including frequent frame rate drops, lag, and crashes, even on high-end systems. Players express frustration over the lack of effective updates to address these problems, leading to an overall perception that the game is poorly optimized and often unplayable. Despite some improvements noted in recent updates, the consensus remains that significant optimization work is still needed to enhance the gaming experience.
- “They did some great work with optimization, and reversed some abjectly abhorrent decisions.”
- “The optimization is very good, much better than other early access games (looking at you ark), I have a vegetable of a computer and it's able to run this game very smoothly, lag free, and I have not experienced a crash as of yet.”
- “The graphics are beautiful and run smoothly for me most of the time.”
- “This game is so poorly optimized and the devs are not listening to their players.”
- “The optimization is dog water; you can have top-of-the-line specs and still struggle to get 60 fps at 1080p, and servers are trash. Don't bother buying this game; it's a waste of money.”
- “After 7+ years of waiting, this game still managed to be one of the most poorly optimized pieces of media I've ever played, up there with recent AAA releases.”
story
802 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
79%
13%
The story aspect of the game is largely criticized for its lack of a structured narrative or quests, with many players noting that the primary focus is on survival rather than storytelling. While some players appreciate the emergent narratives that arise from their interactions and experiences in the game, the absence of a defined plot or objectives leaves many feeling that the game lacks depth. Overall, the consensus is that while the game has potential for storytelling, it currently offers little in terms of a cohesive narrative or mission-driven gameplay.
- “It feels realistic, it is fun, you actually have a survival story that keeps developing.”
- “It was truly amazing how we together had created this epic story of survival in this world of dinosaurs and I have to say that it takes a lot for a game to really move me to the core.”
- “All I can say is that The Isle Evrima has clearly touched my heart by the storytelling that it has the potential to create and I cannot recommend this enough.”
- “At the time of writing, none of the originally promised features (disasters, human playmode, monster playmode, lore/story) have been publicly implemented.”
- “The game is a lot of fun, but there is no plot, no storyline, and no missions.”
- “There is no story, no teamwork, nothing.”
humor
564 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in the game is a prominent aspect, with players frequently highlighting the amusing interactions, unexpected glitches, and the chaotic nature of gameplay that leads to both laughter and frustration. Many reviews mention the joy of playing with friends, where shared experiences often result in hilarious moments, while the community's antics, including trolling and playful banter, add to the overall comedic atmosphere. Despite some frustrations with game mechanics and developer interactions, the humor remains a key reason players continue to engage with the game.
- “Sometimes you think you are alone on the island and in the next moment you’ve got a funny and heartwarming encounter (or you get eaten).”
- “The gameplay is a delightful mix of staying alive, quick thinking, and often hilarious failures.”
- “It's almost as if the game itself was laughing at my attempts to play seriously, as if my dino had been dipped in molasses and decided to perform interpretive dance instead of responding to my commands.”
- “Because it is so unfunny that it's not funny, simply because there's no balance at all.”
- “Every second has gone into this game; the fan base is unfunny and dull, the content is extremely unbalanced, and I haven't seen a single update on their Discord channel that is only made for updates.”
- “Until it's not funny.”
grinding
550 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
15%
84%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring players to invest several hours just to progress or grow their dinosaurs. Many reviews highlight that the gameplay can feel repetitive and frustrating, especially when players lose their progress due to unexpected deaths or server issues. While some players find enjoyment in the grind, it is generally recommended for those who appreciate long-term commitment and teamwork, as solo play can become particularly dull and unfulfilling.
- “You would think that the herbivore tree would be easier and less grind-heavy to get to a place where you can have some fun that's not grinding, but you would be mistaken.”
- “No HUD, no music, no grinding bullcrap.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “This game can be extremely boring and tedious because the map is really big and one of the biggest issues if you're playing as a carnivorous dinosaur is to find your prey.”
- “The gameplay is very weak, slow, and tedious.”
- “The game is grindy with zero payoff.”
atmosphere
290 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
34%
3%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning graphics, immersive sound design, and the ability to evoke a sense of tension and danger, particularly at night. Players appreciate the beautifully crafted environments and the feeling of being in a prehistoric world filled with dinosaurs, which enhances the overall experience. However, some reviews note that while the atmosphere is captivating, the gameplay can feel lacking in content and player motivation, leading to a mixed reception regarding the overall experience.
- “The environments are beautifully designed, with lush forests, expansive plains, and towering dinosaurs that create a captivating prehistoric atmosphere.”
- “Its stunning visuals and immersive atmosphere create a captivating world for players to explore.”
- “The dev team takes a lot of care to build atmosphere in the game, there's a sense of real tension at night when you can't see farther than five feet around you, fear when you hear a carnivore practically inches away from where you're hiding, triumph when you thwack an attempted predator in the face.”
- “However, despite its beauty and realistic atmosphere, like any other game, it has some negative traits, unfortunately more than the positive.”
- “The world is barren and uneventful and desperately needs some NPCs or at least something to enhance the atmosphere.”
- “Their are way too many servers with awful rules, broken animals, salty atmosphere, laggy glitched maps, and 0 admin support for issues.”
music
242 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
49%
4%
The music in the game is generally praised for its atmospheric quality, with many players noting its ability to enhance immersion and evoke feelings reminiscent of dinosaur documentaries and films like Jurassic Park. However, some users criticize the music for being inconsistent, overly loud, or out of place, particularly during tense moments, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these mixed reviews, the soundtrack is often described as beautiful and fitting for the game's theme, contributing positively to the gameplay ambiance.
- “Great game, the graphics are amazing and the music is absolutely beautiful!”
- “The isle looks amazing, the environment, models, animation, and sound/music are all great.”
- “The music sets the mood for you.”
- “The music can completely throw me off sometimes, making me think I'm in danger when I'm not and nothing is happening.”
- “The list of background music is quite low, which should have a little more terror because the game is qualified as such, but it is not scary.”
- “As for minor gripes, the music is choppy and constantly skips, so you'd best turn it off until that's fixed.”
replayability
208 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
73%
5%
The game's replayability is a contentious topic among players, with many expressing frustration over the limited number of playable dinosaurs and persistent bugs that hinder enjoyment. While some find the game fun for short sessions and appreciate the potential for future updates, others feel it lacks depth and variety, leading to quick burnout. Overall, the consensus suggests that significant improvements in content and stability are needed to enhance replayability.
- “Absolutely in love with this game, it has so much replayability and you can just hop on for as long or as short as you want and still have fun!”
- “This game, as simple as it is, is vastly replayable and fun.”
- “A very well thought out survival experience with a lot of replayability.”
- “I just don't recommend buying this game in its current state; it's not been updated with content, just bug fixing for almost 6 months. It feels as if the main dev, who doesn't listen to his community, has lost all drive to make this game better or more playable.”
- “No replay value or reason to even keep this game in your Steam account.”
- “It took them so many years just to add a few playables; Path of Titans and Beasts of Bermuda have more playables and are better optimized.”
emotional
178 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is a complex mix of heartwarming and heartbreaking experiences, with players often forming deep connections with their dinosaur characters and fellow players. While many find joy in the community and the immersive gameplay, the game also subjects players to significant emotional turmoil through loss, frustration, and the unpredictability of survival mechanics. Overall, it offers an emotional rollercoaster that can be both rewarding and devastating, making it a unique but potentially overwhelming experience for sensitive players.
- “Growing takes long and I think that's why players become more emotionally connected with each other more so than any other game.”
- “The game gets my heart pumping and if you are ready for something that you are emotionally invested in through all the battles, hardships, and heartbreaks, get ready to spend hundreds or even thousands of hours growing, living, and dying as your dinosaur.”
- “A heartwarming adventure of a reptile with the will to survive and a heart the size of Pangaea.”
monetization
94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
20%
77%
The monetization strategy of "The Isle" has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it a cash grab due to misleading advertisements and a lack of meaningful updates over several years. While the game currently has no microtransactions or pay-to-win elements, concerns persist about the developers' commitment to improving the game and the potential introduction of monetization features in the future. Overall, the game's financial model and development practices have left a sour impression on the community, leading to skepticism about its long-term viability.
- “I want to first state that this game has 0 in-game purchases, no subscriptions, no pay-to-win, no DLC, and is only $28 AUD.”
- “No pay-to-win, no microtransactions (unless in the future for skins), begs not for money even when they needed it the most. They take time with the game instead of just releasing some broken game, and they do not give up on the game no matter what.”
- “The only redeeming factor I can give this game is I have seen no examples of microtransactions or price gouging.”
- “Devs never cared and I'm convinced this is a cash grab.”
- “This game is an absolute mess and after 5 years with little to no progress being made, it's feeling more and more like a cash grab every day.”
- “This game showed a lot of promise at one point, but frankly it's turned into one of those early access cash grabs that are so common on Steam nowadays.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
While the game features impressive character and sound design, as well as stunning graphics, the reviews indicate that the character development itself is lacking, leaving players wanting more depth and growth in the characters.