Islets (video game)
A mouse explores sky islands in a metroidvania.
Islets is a 2022 metroidvania developed by Kyle Thompson and published by Armor Games Studios. It was released on Windows, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox, and met with generally positive reviews.
Players control Iko, a mouse exploring sky islands. The gameplay includes dodging, rolling, sword swings, and arrow shots. Completing platforming or combat challenges earns tokens that grant random permanent upgrades, like more health or a faster arrow rate. Finding an island's magnet attaches it to the main island on the map, opening up new areas.
Thompson, an independent developer from Portland, Oregon, previously made *Sheepo*. He cited the atmosphere and narrative of Maddy Thorson's games and the 2007 title *Knytt Stories* as influences. Development took two years; the game was announced on July 11, 2021, after a deal with Armor Games, and released on August 24, 2022. A limited physical edition for Switch, published by Super Rare Games, came out on March 9, 2023.
According to review aggregator Metacritic, *Islets* received "generally favorable" reviews.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Islets
- Developer
- Kyle Thompson
- Publisher
- Armor Games Studios
- Composer
- Eric Thompson
- Released
- WW · 24 August 2022
- Genre
- Action
- Modes
- Single-player
- Platforms
- Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Islets was created by Portland, Oregon-based American independent developer Kyle Thompson, who previously created the title Sheepo. Thompson was influenced by indie metroidvania titles, including the 'atmosphere and narrative' of the games of Maddy Thorson and the 2007 title Knytt Stories. Developed over a two-year timeframe, Islets was announced on 11 July 2021, following a deal signed with publisher Armor Games, and was released on 24 August 2022. The game received a limited run physical release for the Switch published by Super Rare Games on 9 March 2023.
Reader's Guide
Islets is a metroidvania in which players assume the role of Iko, a mouse that explores islands in the sky. Players can dodge, roll, swing a sword and fire arrows. Collecting tokens upon completing platforming or combat challenges provides the player with a random permanent upgrade, such as increasing health or the fire rate of arrows. When players explore an island and locate its magnet, it will join to the main island on the map, allowing the player to reach new areas. The game received 'generally favorable' reviews from contemporary critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Its significance lies in its development by a solo indie creator and its release on multiple platforms, with a limited physical edition following the digital launch.
Did You Know?
- Islets was developed by Kyle Thompson, who previously created the title Sheepo.
- The game was announced on 11 July 2021 and released on 24 August 2022.
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