A little owl, a magical fairy and an island where wishes are supposed to come true: Isle of Reveries makes a charming first impression. Beneath its nostalgic pixel-art presentation, though, is a proper old-school adventure full of puzzles that sometimes made me scratch my head.
A journey to an island of wishes
You play as Lief, an owl who journeys to the mysterious Isle of Reveries accompanied by a magical fairy. Along the way are strange characters, enemies, bosses and paths that require more than a straightforward swing of a weapon to open.
The fairy’s ability to copy and place objects is a clever addition. It turns environmental details into puzzle-solving tools and sometimes contributes directly to combat. Working out where to position an object, or what it might interact with, gives exploration an extra dimension.
Not every puzzle gives up its secrets easily
Some solutions are wonderful when they click. Others left me wondering how I was ever meant to find them. Blocked paths and confusing routes occasionally slowed progress, while assigning abilities to different buttons and getting my jumps right took a little getting used to.
Once I understood the controls, moving around became more comfortable. Boss encounters were a highlight because each asked for a different approach, sometimes relying on the fairy’s powers instead of simple repeated attacks. I lost plenty of hearts along the way, but even the little game-over animation, complete with a knocked-out owl and a death counter, has personality.
A nostalgic world worth exploring
Bright scenery, memorable characters and retro-inspired music make the world feel pleasantly familiar without leaving it devoid of ideas. The pixel art works particularly well with the classic adventure structure.
After around three hours I had reached the third area, and it was clear there was still plenty left to discover. I hadn’t finished the adventure, but I was enjoying myself and would happily have continued exploring.
Final verdict
82/100. Isle of Reveries is a delightful throwback, full of appealing visuals, thoughtful object-copying mechanics and worthwhile boss encounters. Navigation and some stubborn puzzles can frustrate, but players who enjoy experimenting and exploring will find a lot to appreciate. This review covers the opening three hours, not the full game.
Original Xbox hands-on review by Vanessa Arnott for Coloured Static Press. Review score: 82/100. Developer: desertcucco; publisher: Electric Airship.