Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 79 | 19 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 95% | 90 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 84 | 18 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 97% | 92 | 12 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 89.0, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 2,535 player reviews, a largely self-selected fanbase. As more players weigh in, the ceiling rises (full scale unlocks at 100,000 reviews).
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 35 reviews sampled · 25 total reviews in window · weighted 25.8 up / 0.8 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (23)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“Islets promises a surprisingly wholesome story while featuring a lot of classic Metroidvania mechanics, and it certainly delivers. The beautiful landscapes and island inhabitants create an unforgettable journey. Filled with monstrous rivals, tense, timing-based platforming, and some well-hidden puzzles, this title is much more than a run-of-the-mill Metroidvania. Outside the eight-ish-hour campaign, there are enough collectibles scattered across each island to keep players coming back, and to be honest; it’s hard to leave the charming cast of creatures behind.”
read full review ↗ - 81
“With its colorful art and slightly different-than-the-norm Metroidvania flavor, Islets has legs on the Switch”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Overall, Islets may not be doing anything especially new in its genre, but it does all the usual things incredibly well. Movement and combat feel good, the abilities you get are fun to use, maps are well designed and satisfying to explore, and bosses are challenging in a way that makes them memorable. Outside of some qualms with how upgrade tokens sometimes make rewards not as worthwhile as they should be, I have very little negative to say about my time with Islets. If you find yourself hankering for another metroidvania that does what it says on the tin, and does it competently, this is definitely a game to have your eye on. Those islands aren’t going to reconnect themselves.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“For anyone on the hunt for a new metroidvania to chew on, Islets hits the right notes. It’s built on a clear understanding of what makes the genre tick, with a couple of fresh ideas thrown into the mix, even if the potential in those ideas is left underexplored. It’s a relatively concise affair, for better or worse, but with humour and personality laced over a strong exploration-platformer foundation, it’s not a bad way to spend a few hours.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The charming metroidvania has a difficult task for you - to connect the separated islands and restore the world. It's both fun and challenging, but you can adjust it to your abilities.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Islets may look like it follows the basic adventure game template. But within the first hour of play you can see it’s so much more. Islets did what few games tend to do, it took me on a gripping adventure of mystery and intrigue. I met memorable characters, fought huge bosses and, most of all got, kind of emotional in places. If a game is able to do that then I could only think of one fitting rating to give it. Of course I’ll step back and admit not everyone may have this experience. But if you love your 2D adventures Islets ticks all the boxes whilst offering a few new sounds on the formula itself, with its regular upgrades and air travel segments. I may have reviewed this on PC but when finances are agreeable I’ll be picking this up on Nintendo Switch too.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Overall, Islets is cute and will offer a lot of fun to those who’ve played other popular platformers in recent years. The cute world and characters offer a lot of charm and it’s always a pleasure when you come across a new creature. That being said, the combat is pretty repetitive and there isn’t enough information provided about your objective when entering a new area.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Overall, Islets’ straightforward gameplay and wholesome presentation deliver an enjoyable Metroidvania experience.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Islets marries classic Metroidvania elements with innovative tweaks and a gorgeous illustrative style. It may be on the easier end of the scale, but there’s enough depth and variety to keep everyone occupied, from beginners to completionists.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Overall, Islets is a charming adventure with a large cast of memorable characters, interesting monsters, and wholesome story that far outweigh its minor pitfalls and is perfect for players itching for a new Metroidvania.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Islets is a gorgeous, enjoyable example of the Metroidvania genre that feels in some ways like a throwback to the pre-Souls era in how it is set up and the tone it pursues. While it doesn’t make any substantial changes to the formula outside of its entertaining flying sections, it’s refreshingly solid all-around. Those on the hunt for a new game in this genre would do well to consider Islets.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“This is a gorgeous game, and a compelling one at that, and anyone that ekes out even a fraction of enjoyment from this genre owes it to themselves to at least give this a go. I promise you, it’ll leave you charmed and hungry for more.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
Nindie Spotlight
NintendoWorldReport
SECTOR.sk
LadiesGamers.com
Try Hard Guides
GBAtemp
Switch Player
Screen Rant
VG247…and 11 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Patch 1.003 is Now Live!Sep 20, 2022
- Patch 1.002 is Live!Aug 30, 2022