Under the Island

GameSpewKim Snaith

9/10

Reminiscent of Link to the Past but with enough charm and ingenuity to boldly stand out, Under the Island is a gorgeous and imaginative action-adventure that tasks you with saving your home island. It's utterly joyous, and even the odd spike in combat difficulty isn't enough to spoil your fun.

Analog Stick GamingRebecca Stapleton

8.5/10

As Nia moves to a new town, her life gets turned upside down when the ground swallows her up to then place her on the journey of a whole new adventure. Under the Island was a pleasant surprise, and a wonderful delight.

Impulse GamerNay Clark

Seashell Island may look calm on the surface, but the real adventure waits beneath your feet! Under the Island is a 2D action adventure developed by Slime

Video ChumsMary Billington

8.1/10

Seashell Island is sinking and it's up to you to find the lost gears to save it in this Zelda-like adventure rich with puzzles and adorable critters.

TheSixthAxisSteve C

8/10

While I can certainly appreciate the scale and beauty of modern Zelda games, I do miss the old school style of dungeons and power upgrades on a 2D plane. This always draws me to games that are influenced by the SNES era of Zelda, and I’m happy to report that Under the Island is one of the most polished and successful in quite a while. The atmosphere, puzzles, level of challenge, and story are all satisfyingly designed to produce a game that wears its influences well.

Nintendo World ReportJordan Rudek

8/10

Under The Island didn't take long to sink its charming teeth into me as I had been itching for something a little lighter, both in tone and runtime, after making my way through a handful of long RPGs. Along Nia’s adventure, you end up encountering a variety of different gameplay types, including stealth sequences and arcade-style minigames, and so what has become a well-trod genre does feel quite fresh. If you're in the mood for a whimsical Zelda-like with some unique items and boss fights, the dozen-plus hours you can spend on Seashell Island are absolutely worth your time.

GameBlastVictor Vitório

8/10

A very well-executed and beautiful Zelda-like game in a tranquil setting.

WellPlayedJade Stevenson

7.5/10

Under The Island is a fun little jaunt that is brimming with personality. The game’s excellent balance makes explorationthe consistently rewarding, while solid puzzling and a bright narrative help to round out experience.

RPGamerRyan Radcliff

Under the Island sees Nia quickly rush into an adventure to prevent her new home from sinking. Despite lacking enough to really stand out from the crowd, solid puzzles and charm have enough to keep players engaged.

MonsterVineBranford Hubbard

Under the Island is a bright and colorful game, but much like the ominous and vast hidden undercity the heroines encounter, it isn’t all it appears to be. Under the Island is plagued by bugs, a lack of gameplay polish, and frustration.

GamesticDaRmaZat

Unscored

Under the Island is a loving tribute to the legendary top-down Zelda games. It’s set in a beautifully imaginative world and successfully adopts the best parts of the genre: a solid Metroidvania format, challenging enemies, and clever puzzles that don’t hold your hand. By infusing the classic concept with modern perks like Fast Travel and character upgrades, Slime King Games has created a highly entertaining 2D action RPG crafted with immense care and charm. To put it simply: it’s a must-play for anyone with a heart for nostalgic adventure.

The VergeAndrew Webster

Unscored

Under The Island mixes up elements of Stardew Valley and The Legend of Zelda, and it’s available now on the Switch, PS5, PC, and Xbox.