Isle of Reveries

Wow, what an amazing game! It could be recency bias, but I think this is my favorite Zelda-like game of all time, aside from [i]maybe[/i] some of the actual Zelda games on the gameboy that it is presumably inspired by. I did have one unique bug in my playthrough that nobody else seems to have run into, and that the dev was unable to reproduce even on Linux (since that's what I'm on) with my save data, and it blocked progression, but the dev was kind enough to at least provide me with a copy of my save data that has the one puzzle that bug made unsolvable solved, so I was able to play through the game to completion despite that unique oddity. The dev is very active on the steam forums for the game, frequently fixing reported bugs and implementing reasonable suggestions, as well as answering questions. It's very clear they care a lot about the game, and would continue to add much more to it (in the form of optional content from the sound of it) if it proves to be financially sustainable to do so. I sure hope that turns out to be the case, because it could mean an expansion to the optional multiplayer content that reminds me of Four Swords Adventures for the Gamecube, which would absolutely delight me.

The puzzles and mechanics of the game are super cool and chill, the puzzles are just difficult enough and I was constantly coming across things the made me think "Oooo I wonder how I will be able to get that later on". It also has a beautiful art style, music, and story. My partner even mentioned that they got a feeling of nostalgia watching me play even though they had never played the game themselves. Overall super fun!!

A great throwback to gameboy Zelda games, some of the toughest puzzles I've experienced in a while. Responsive dev who has been fixing any issues that crop up.

This game is stellar. It is a love letter to the GameBoy Color era of adventure games, particularly the Zelda titles. It contains incredible features such as: - Talking tree - Jumping over a rolling spike bar - Minecart dungeon - A dungeon with a 90-degree turning dial in the center of the room to manage access to corridors - The exact "sinking/diving under water" sprite from the aforementioned GBC Zelda games - Vaguely horrific undertones that one wouldn't expect in a game for children - Things behind waterfalls! - A trade quest that doesn't overstay its welcome - An underwater segment! - Ambiguous creatures that look like One Of The Animals Of All Time - And countless more! Its references to pop/internet culture and specific games are myriad. But they're executed in a way that makes you grin and giggle instead of groan. Some are probably so subtle that you won't even realize it until later. In all aspects, this game is everything you want it to be, and nothing else. But that's just the facts of the game itself. To make a glowing review even more enticing, the game's launch has showcased the dev's passion and care. Bug reports get prompt replies and are often fixed within hours. Sometimes the dev is the first to answer a question about "where do I go" or "I'm stuck, now what?". It reflects very well on the dev to see them actively communicating and engaging with the game's players. The time immediately after launch is always hectic, and seeing them stay on top of things and still have time for jokes is no small feat. If you've ever looked back fondly at the older era of 2D Zelda games, this is a game worth playing and a developer worth supporting.

having a hoot so far!

i do like this game, it has a zelda gameboy color vibe. but it can be very mazey and im often lost we zero clue where to go and because most of the walkways are so narrow it can feel suffocating not exploratory . overall i recommend

Incredible, puzzle-forward Zelda homage. Dense, smart, fun.