Minute of Islands

Lore & Background

Minute of Islands was released in 2021 by developer Studio Fizbin and publisher Mixtvision. The game places the player in the role of Mo, a mechanic tasked with saving the world by restoring engines scattered across an archipelago. The 2D world allows Mo to climb and jump over objects, while the Omni Switch tool enables interaction with mechanisms and puzzle-solving. The tool also indicates the direction the player should go next. Hidden collectibles across the islands reveal more about the world and story.

Reader's Guide

The game received mixed critical responses. Alice Bell of Rock Paper Shotgun praised the story's themes, noting that despite its narrative bluntness, Minute of Islands is an elegant game compared to other indie titles dealing with death, grief, and responsibility. Malindy Hetfeld of Eurogamer criticized the gameplay as unexciting, describing the sequences as simple and short without being rousing. Pocket Tactics appreciated the soundtrack, which uses eerie mechanical noises, ocean sounds, and scavenger birds to create a foreboding, anti-music backdrop. Polygon highlighted the contrast between the cartoon-inspired art style and the darker tone, observing that the colorful world from afar reveals a darker truth in details like bloodied birds and violent fungus.

Did You Know?

• The player uses a tool called the Omni Switch to interact with mechanisms and solve puzzles.
• The Omni Switch can show the player the direction they need to go next.
• The soundtrack consists of eerie mechanical noises, ocean sounds, and scavenger birds.