Isles of Sea and Sky

I wish I could better communicate just how incredibly ingenius this game is, and without ever being all “LOOK AT ME I’M SO CLEVER!” coughjonathanblowcough. Instead it’s smart, modest and charming, like I’m not. The best thing is you just play it.

Isles of Sea and Sky is a box pushing game brought kicking and screaming into the modern era, and it's so damn compelling.

Accessible yet full of mystery, Isles of Sea and Sky is undoubtedly a retro gem that puzzle fans shouldn't miss. The game's puzzles allow you to fully enjoy the thrill of experimentation, while the constant introduction of new mechanics keeps the experience varied. The open-world design is full of incentives, motivating you to keep trying new puzzles. One potential drawback, however, is that the pacing of the game can be somewhat compromised when certain Metroidvania-style abilities are combined with weaker guidance elements.

Isles of Sea and Sky presents a charmingly nostalgic 8-bit graphical style reminiscent of classic Zelda games, featuring intricate Sokoban-style puzzles spread across various islands. While its artistic presentation and puzzle complexity are highlights, the game suffers from occasional frustration due to unclear progression requirements and cumbersome navigation.