Islets

Game Title: Islets
Released: August 24, 2022
Game Length: 7 Hours
Grade: B

Setting

Design: You are a mouse going on an adventure. You hear about these five islands that have been broken apart. After some mishap, you crash on one of the islands until someone lends you their ship to take off again. Conceptually, the artist drew the characters and enemies to be very simplistic. Half of them appear as moving blobs while the other half might appear as some odd beast or critter. This actually relates to the story somewhat and makes it easy on the eyes. They all have their own set of unique attack patterns that doesn't take too much effort to learn. There are a number of fantastical characters that will change-up the gameplay with their hobbies or activities. 

Environment: While there is a map that updates with each room and interconnection with the islands, there isn't any form of mini-map that you can glance at while exploring. There are two types of rest areas marked - a save spot and a teleporter. While I'm happy that these were implemented, there are some odd restrictions in place. You need to purchase the upgrade to teleport from a save spot. You cannot teleport to a save spot, including those located conveniently next to a boss room. Teleporting is usually reserved at exit points or intersecting regions. You also cannot teleport between islands if they have not been connected yet. Enemies will respawn the moment you leave a room, but blocks you destroy will only come back if you press the reset button for special rooms.

Gameplay

Upgrades: There are two ways to improve. The first is through collecting special face tokens scattered about in the levels. There are a total of 60 that will open up a party room and boss run feature. There is a way for these to be revealed on the map, but the amount adds up way too much to purchase unless you are a completionist. You are given a choice between three options that are dependent on how far the upgrade is in the game. If by chance there isn't enough upgrades available, then one of the cards will be replaced with a small amount of currency. The improvements add up a little at a time by increasing a number of elements like how many arrows you have, how much damage they do, maximum health, range of abilities, or reactionary explosions depending on the circumstances. There are no potions you can drink in an emergency, health doesn't slowly regenerate, and you'll revive at any safe spot you passed (with your progress intact). You'll restore full health at save spots and teleporters if you make a payment at the store.

Tools: Your abilities at the start are limited to a sword attack, bow attack, and dodge. Gradually, you can learn how to charge your sword to slice gray boxes, enhance your arrow, and slam your sword downward. What's odd is that none of these seem set to the B-button on your controller. I didn't understand why until later when the top-right buttons are set to change and fire your arrow while the top-left button is to allow you to dodge while charging your sword strike with the X-button. There comes a time where even your ship will require you to teleport through waves of bullets from the enemy ship. All the mechanics help build a decent and flexible character in combat.

Difficulty: The second way to upgrade is by spending your currency at the store. You can buy more health, sword damage, and bow damage. Depending on how quickly you progress through the level, and whether you encounter a boss before purchasing or exploring rooms for upgrades, the game can get rather difficult. One or two deaths from a boss isn't uncommon when your character can only be hit a total of six times. Avoiding damage by learning how to roll at the right time through boss attack patterns is the only way to survive. There is usually a boss before you can activate the machine that connects islands and another boss that has to be fought with your airship before visiting an island. The final boss takes elements from all the bosses. There is even a boss room after you solve the mysterious letter.

Summary

Review: The mechanics in the game are decently built from its level design to how enemies attack you. Difficulty is usually fair and offers you a chance to make things easier by purchasing upgrades directly from the endless currency you can obtain from enemies. Getting around might have been a little tedious, but the idea of connecting regions together to build new pathways is a rather creative concept. While the game doesn't stand out as doing anything too exceptional compared to others in the genre, there is enough substance to give this game a chance if you are curious.