Under The Island positions itself as a loving tribute to old-school top-down adventure games, and on the new PlayStation 5 port that nostalgic impulse is immediately evident from the moment you step ashore on Seashell Island. The premise – that protagonist Nia has uprooted her life only to discover her new home is fated to sink unless its secrets are unraveled – sets a brisk pace for exploration, but the game’s narrative delivery keeps things light and breezy rather than deeply emotional. Relationships with quirky locals, including Nia’s fast friendship with Avocado, are more about character flavor than dramatic tension; this can make for a pleasant, chatty world, but rarely yields memorable story arcs. That balance between whimsy and substance is emblematic of what Under The Island ultimately achieves: a charming, character-filled setting that avoids heavy storytelling in favor of playful engagement.
Where Under The Island truly shines is in its world design and the joy of discovery. Across six distinct biomes – from frosty caverns to lush greenhouses and sawmills – there’s a persistent sense of “what’s around the next corner?” that drives you forward. The pixel art is vibrant and detailed, evoking classics of the genre while still feeling distinct in its own right, and the overhead viewpoint gives every nook and cranny a reason to be examined. Secrets abound, and the game rarely feels stingy with its rewards: exploring a side path often yields an ability, item, or puzzle that recontextualizes areas you’ve already seen. For players who relish methodical exploration more than linear narrative, this aspect alone makes Under The Island a compelling journey.
That said, not all parts of the adventure cohere with equal strength. Combat, for instance, often feels like an afterthought when compared to the richness of the world itself. Enemies tend to have heavier health pools than you might expect for an indie action-adventure, and basic weapons like Nia’s hockey stick can feel underpowered early on, making skirmishes drag and defensive options feel limited. While some foes can be overcome through clever use of tools or environment, the overall fight system never quite attains the satisfying rhythm found in other aspects of gameplay. For players prioritizing tightly tuned combat, this can feel like a notable omission in an otherwise well-crafted experience.
In contrast, the puzzle and dungeon design offer some of Under The Island’s most memorable moments. Rooms filled with logic grids, block-pushing sequences, and environmental conundrums demand close observation and reward patience, with solutions that lean more on brain than brute force. Boss encounters, too, often subvert traditional combat tropes entirely: one memorable sequence sees you managing stage lighting rather than trading blows, and another transforms the climax into a whimsical cook-off. These creative departures not only break up the standard exploration loop but help the game feel more inventive than other Zelda-inspired titles that hew strictly to formula.
Audio design plays its part in reinforcing the island’s charm. While not every track will stick in your head long after the credits, the music that accompanies your travels and discoveries enhances the atmosphere and often channels the warm, nostalgic tones you’d hope to hear in a retro-tinged adventure. Coupled with sound effects that punctuate exploration and puzzle solving, the audio landscape complements the visuals and keeps the experience immersive without ever demanding your full attention.
Ultimately, Under The Island is a game that delights in its world and ideas more than it agonizes over perfection. Its visual presentation and exploratory DNA are deeply appealing, drawing players into a vibrant, secret-strewn island where each day brings something new to uncover. Combat and narrative hooks may not reach the heights of the game’s design ambitions, but the breadth of biomes, clever puzzles, and creative boss concepts provide enough momentum to make the roughly 8 to 15 hour playthrough feel worthwhile. For anyone itching for a nostalgic adventure with a playful spirit and plenty to discover, this title on PS5 is a worthy stop – even if it occasionally skews more toward charm than mechanical precision.
Score: 7.8/10
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