Game: Under The Island
Genre: Action, Adventure, RPG
System: Nintendo Switch (also on Windows (Steam) and PlayStation)
Developer|Publisher: Slime King Games | Top Hat Studios
Age Rating: EU 7+ | US Everyone 10+
Price: US $19.99 | UK £17.99 | EU € 19,99
Release Date: February 26th, 2026
Review code provided with many thanks to Press Engine.
Under the Island – Teenage Kicks, Zelda Style
Under The Island wastes no time getting you into that classic top-down adventure groove. You play as Nia, who has just moved to Seashell Island with her parents. She’s not thrilled about leaving her old life behind, as you would expect for any angsty teenager. Naturally, things escalate quickly when she touches an ancient artefact she was absolutely told not to touch. We’ve all been there. Big red button energy.
Next thing you know, there’s talk of ancient powers, looming danger, and the island potentially sinking beneath the ocean unless you find all the magical cogs hidden around the island. Standard Tuesday in video game land.
It’s a simple setup, but it works. It gives you a reason to explore, poke around dungeons, and slowly uncover what’s going on beneath the surface. The story doesn’t take itself too seriously either. There’s a steady stream of light humour, some of it genuinely funny, some of it a bit overenthusiastic, but it keeps the tone upbeat.
That Classic Top-Down Adventure Feel
If you grew up on top-down Zelda-style games, you’ll feel right at home here. You explore a large map covered in fog until you venture into new areas. Dungeons are scattered across the island, each hiding new items that unlock fresh paths elsewhere. It’s that satisfying loop of explore, find an item, unlock a new area, get lost, repeat.
Your main weapon early on is a hockey stick instead of a sword, which gave me a good laugh. It still behaves exactly like a sword, but it’s a fun little twist that sets the tone. You’ll also collect bombs and other unique items that open up puzzle solutions and combat options.
The dungeons are a highlight. They’re thoughtfully designed without being overly complicated. The puzzles strike a nice balance. You won’t breeze through them half asleep, but you also won’t be stuck for hours wondering what you missed. Some boss encounters are especially creative. One early fight isn’t even a traditional “big monster in a room” scenario. It plays out more like a sequence you have to manage, which caught me off guard in a good way.
Combat That Encourages Creativity
Combat is straightforward at first. Swing your hockey stick, defeat enemies, and move on. But as the game progresses, it gently nudges you to use your items more strategically.
Some enemies become quite sturdy if you just stand there swinging. For example, certain creatures are far easier to defeat if you use items cleverly rather than relying on basic attacks. Plant a bomb carefully, and a ware-mole might swallow it and go boom in one hit. If you enjoy experimenting with tools and finding quicker ways to win, you’ll appreciate this design.
If you prefer simple hack-and-slash action, you might find it slightly frustrating when brute force isn’t the most efficient route. Personally, I liked that it encouraged me to think a little more, even if I occasionally just wanted to bonk everything with a stick and call it a day.
Exploration, Side Activities And Accessibility
The island itself is more varied than you might expect. Beaches, greenhouses, wasteland areas and stranger locations all give the world a bit of identity. It’s not just grass and trees everywhere.
There are also plenty of side activities. Fetch quests, item trading, little mini-games and collectables are dotted around. Some are simple distractions, others reward you with useful upgrades. The heart-piece style health upgrades are here, too. You’ll need to collect multiple pieces to extend your health bar. It’s not my favourite system in the world, but thankfully, the game is fairly generous with them.
One thing I did appreciate was the accessibility. When you’re defeated, Nia simply falls asleep and wakes up at a checkpoint. No harsh punishment, no trekking all the way back from the start of a dungeon. There’s also a hint system available at save points if you forget where you were heading. If you’ve stepped away from the game for a while, that’s a lifesaver.
It walks an interesting line between being family-friendly and offering light complexity. The tone feels aimed at a broad audience, though there are a few odd jokes that make it slightly unclear exactly who it’s pitched at. Nothing offensive, just a little uneven in tone at times.
Looks
Visually, the pixel art leans into a lovely ‘90s handheld vibe, almost like a Game Boy Advance era adventure brought up to modern standards. The animations are lively, environments feel distinct, and the dungeons avoid looking too samey.
It has that easy-going energy that makes it a pleasant game to dip into. There’s genuine effort in how the regions are structured and how bosses play out.
Conclusion – Wonderful Island Adventure
Under The Island doesn’t try to tear up the rulebook. Instead, it takes a well-loved formula and adds just enough of its own personality to make it worth your time. The puzzles are enjoyable, the dungeons are thoughtfully built, and the island itself is a fun place to explore.
It may lean heavily on that classic top-down adventure blueprint, but it delivers a solid, engaging experience with a few surprises tucked away. If you’re in the mood for a colourful quest with light humour and satisfying exploration, this is an easy recommendation.
Final Verdict: I Like It a Lot
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