The Legend of Zelda games are great adventures, but they can also be very relaxing, with beautiful towns to explore and warm places to welcome you. Under the Island takes that idea a step further. It still provides a sense of exploration and puzzle solving to do Zelda games that are very satisfying, but also take place in a cozy, light-hearted world that has the power to remind us Stardew Valley. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to stay in even when you’re not killing monsters.
The game puts you in the role of Nia, a new resident of the seemingly normal Seashell Island. But it soon becomes clear that things are not as normal as they appear as Nia is pulled to save the island from sinking into the ocean. This is a big tradition Zeldathis involves traveling around the island to collect valuables, and although Seashell may be a small island, there is a lot going on; forests and beaches filled with monsters, dungeon-like buildings with many puzzles to solve, and townspeople who always seem to need a hand.
Under the Island it plays more like the 16-bit era Zelda games – think A Link to the Past — which means it’s a 2D adventure game with lots of puzzle solving. Instead of using a sword like Link, Nia has a hockey stick, but it works the same way. You can use it to hit enemies, hit switches, and cut grass in hopes of getting money or life. As you progress through the game you will unlock new weapons and abilities that will also unlock the game in a real sense. Bombs will reveal hidden rooms, while a fire-emitting flower can ignite vegetation in your path. The game is a mix of action and puzzle solving, as you have to not only defeat enemies but figure out how to use your various items and skills to navigate the island.
From this common core Under the Island you do interesting things. Most notable are its very old boss battles. I don’t want to spoil too much, because the surprise is part of the fun, but for example, such a first encounter does not allow you to face some big monster; instead, he helps the monsters put on a concert. You have to fix the lighting, fight legions of fans, fix the elevator, and more to make sure things go smoothly. It sounds weird, but it uses the same mechanics as a boss battle would, in a completely different context. And it shows how Under the Island it’s more than that Zelda– in the same way.
Another highlight of this game is how cold it is. Sure, he’s saving the world, but that doesn’t mean the vibes need to be turned off. It’s the tone it reminds me of A star or even EarthBound: a little silly, a lot of fun, and a good mix of the real world and the supernatural. This is reflected in almost every aspect of the game. Enemies include walking onions that use leeks as weapons and squirrels that throw exploding pine cones, and you can replenish your health by slurping ramen, which you can buy from the hot air balloon restaurant. This is also a game where I would recommend talking to everyone and not finishing the dialogue, because there is a very funny script. One time I met a skeleton band that sang Billy Joel.
Obviously there are many Zelda-The style of indie games out there, but few can balance nostalgia and creativity Under the Island it does. Even fewer are able to do it while being very likable.
Under the Island is out now on PC, Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.
