Castaway main boy protagonist in hero pose

Castaway Review

Game: Castaway
Genre: Action, Adventure
System: Nintendo Switch (also on Steam (Windows), PS4/5 and Xbox)
Developer | Publisher: Canari Games
Age Rating: EU 3+ | US Everyone
Price: US $7.99 | UK £6.99 | EU € 7,99
Release Date: August 16th 2024

A review code was provided, with many thanks to Canari Games.

Castaway: A Short but Sweet Adventure

Castaway is a concise yet engaging top-down action-adventure game, clearly inspired by the classic Legend of Zelda titles. While it doesn’t reinvent the genre, its straightforward gameplay and multiple difficulty settings provide a pleasant summer adventure for players of all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re a young gamer just starting out or a seasoned speedrunner, Castaway has something to offer.

Save Your Dog

The game kicks off with a boy and his dog casually taking a trip into space until they’re shot down and crash-landed on a mysterious planet. Upon waking, the boy discovers that dinosaurs have kidnapped his dog and stolen some of his equipment. Luckily, they left behind his sword, setting the stage for an adventure to rescue his furry friend. The game is light on dialogue, relying instead on its brief intro and cutscenes to propel the story forward, which is simple yet effective.

Castaway obtained sword item
You acquired a sword.

Familiar Formula

If you’ve played a classic Zelda game, you’ll have a good idea of what to expect from Castaway. The gameplay involves exploring an island, delving into dungeons, finding unique items that unlock new areas, and ultimately rescuing your beloved dog. Along the way, you’ll encounter enemies and solve mild puzzles. Most foes can be dealt with using your trusty sword, though clever use of new items is required, particularly during boss fights. The gameplay is straightforward and familiar, making it easy to pick up and play.

A Brief Adventure

One of the most striking aspects of Castaway is its brevity. I completed the main game in its normal setting in under an hour, which left me wanting more. The game is quite streamlined, with little room for exploration and only two unique items to acquire before tackling the final dungeon. Health is represented by hearts, but these can’t be upgraded, and the island’s path is fairly linear. While the short length may be a downside for some, Castaway compensates with multiple difficulty settings that cater to different playstyles. 

In addition to the normal mode, there’s a more challenging mode and a speedrun mode for those seeking an extra challenge. For younger or less experienced players, there’s an invincible mode that allows you to play through the game without taking damage. And for the most relaxed experience, there’s a pacifist mode where all enemies are removed, letting you explore the island in peace. These options make Castaway accessible to a wide range of players, offering a tailored experience based on your preferences.

Castaway dungeon area
Fancy seeing you here in this lava pit

Tower Mode

To extend the game’s replayability, Castaway includes a Tower Mode that unlocks after you complete the main game. This mode acts as a challenge mode with mild roguelike elements. You move through floors, defeating enemies and collecting coins. Gather enough coins, and you can level up, choosing from three random upgrades such as increased health, boosted damage, or replenished health. While I found myself playing this mode a few times, I don’t think it will hold most players’ attention for long. The content here is likely to keep you entertained for a weekend, but not much beyond that.

Zelda-Like Aesthetics

Castaway’s pixel art style is strikingly reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (the classic version, not the recent remake). The game’s art design, however, feels somewhat limited. There are only two main settings: the outdoor areas where you search for dungeons, wandering through forest-like zones with bees buzzing around, and the dungeons themselves, which all share a similar brown clay palette and lava pits.

The enemies are primarily spider-like creatures, and the boss fights revolve around battling various green dinosaurs. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with how the game presents itself, it doesn’t feel particularly unique. The art style and environments are serviceable but lack the distinctiveness that could make the game stand out visually.

Castaway tower mode
Tower mode adds extra length to the game

Conclusion: A Summer Treat

Castaway may be short and may not bring much new to the table in terms of gameplay, but it has a lot of charm. From its nostalgic pixel design to its variety of difficulty settings, Castaway offers a pleasant gaming experience perfect for a warm summer weekend. Whether you’re playing alone or sharing the game with a younger player, the adventure feels worthwhile despite its brevity. Here’s hoping the game finds an audience so we can see more from this developer in the future.

Final Verdict: I Like it

I like it

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