Under Island Review: A relaxing Zelda-style adventure

Legend of Zelda The games are great adventures, but they can also be very relaxing, with quaint villages to explore and warm landscapes to enjoy. Under the island He takes this idea one step further. It still offers a sense of exploration and puzzle solving Zelda The games are very satisfying, but they’re also set in a relaxing and cheerful world with an energy reminiscent of Stardew Valley. It’s a place you want to hang out even when you’re not killing monsters.

The game puts you in the role of Nia, the new resident of the seemingly normal Seashell Island. But it soon becomes clear that things are much stranger than they seem as Nia rushes to save the island from sinking into the ocean. In the grand tradition Zeldathis involves traveling around the island collecting important items, and although Seashell may be a relatively small island, there is a lot going on; Forests and beaches full of monsters, dungeon-like buildings with lots of puzzles to solve, and townsfolk who always seem to need help.

Under the island Plays a lot like the 16-bit era Zelda Games – Think A link to the past – Which means it’s a 2D action-adventure game with a lot of puzzle solving. Instead of using a sword like Link, Nia has a hockey stick, but it functions in much the same way. You can use it to hit enemies, hit switches, and cut grass in hopes of finding money or health. Over the course of the game, you’ll unlock new weapons and abilities that literally open up the game even further. Bombs will reveal hidden rooms, while a flaming flower can ignite plants in your way. The gameplay is a mixture of action and puzzle-solving, where you not only have to defeat enemies, but also figure out how to use your various items and abilities to get around the island.

From this familiar core Under the island It does some interesting things. Most notable are the very creative boss battles. I don’t want to spoil too much for you, because surprise is part of the fun, but for example, the first encounter of its kind doesn’t pit you against a giant monster; Instead, you help the monsters throw a concert. You must organize the lighting, fight off hordes of fans, repair the elevator, and more to ensure things run smoothly. It may seem strange, but it uses the same mechanics as elaborate boss battles, just in a completely unique context. And it shows how Under the island He is more than just another Zelda-Both.

Another notable thing about the game is how cool the game is. Sure, you’re saving the world, but that doesn’t mean the feelings have to stop. It’s the tune it reminds me of stardo Or even firm: A bit silly, a lot of fun, and a nice mix of the real world and the supernatural. This is expressed in almost every aspect of the game. Enemies include onions that use leeks as weapons and squirrels that throw exploding pine cones, and you can refill your health by gorging on ramen, which you can buy at a restaurant on a hot air balloon. This is also a game where I recommend talking to everyone and not skipping the dialogue, because there is some very funny writing. At some point I met a band of skeletons who were singing Billy Joel.

Obviously there are a lot of ZeldaIndie style games out thereBut few manage to balance nostalgia with creativity Under the island He does. Even fewer manage to do this while being extremely charming.

_{Under the island Available now on PC, Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.}