The WhatsNext verdict
For Fans of point-and-click puzzle adventures who appreciate whimsical hand-drawn art, cryptic environmental clues, and surreal mysteries.: Its distinctive diorama-like illustrations and inventive, observation-heavy puzzles create a satisfying loop of noticing odd details and piecing together lateral solutions. Tradeoff: The minimal signposting and cryptic item affordances can lead to frustrating pixel hunting and backtracking when clues are easily overlooked.
What it does best
A hand-drawn world with an unmistakable storybook identity
Puzzles that reward close observation and lateral thinking
A surreal mystery assembled from fragments
What might put you off
Objects and puzzle affordances can be difficult to read
The story can feel opaque and under-explained
The setup
What you are walking into
Isoland 2: Ashes of Time is a puzzle game with a fascinating non-linear story, charming 2D hand-drawn art, numerous challenging puzzles, and unique twists. Besides numerous sci-fi references and easter-eggs hidden throughout the game, you’ll find things aren’t quite the same second time you play through the story. Come discover the lost history of this mysterious island.
Where it lives
Genre
Up next
