HomeFeaturesIsles of Sea and Sky
Consider Isles of Sea and Sky, the only sokoban game I’ve ever enjoyedOnce more unto the beach
Once more unto the beach
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Cicada Games/Gamera Games
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Cicada Games/Gamera Games
Your wee island person washes up on a beach, and naturally starts pushing stuff around so he can collect keys that open up more screens full of stuff to push around. There are other bits to collect here and there, most notably stars that act partly as keys, but in a way that tells you what area you should be moving to next. Got 15 stars? It’s probably time to go past that 15 star bit and maybe the tool you need will be there.
There’s a hit of the Metroid to it, see. You’ll find inaccessible areas very quickly, or a path will take you through a tiny corner of a puzzle you’ll tackle properly later, offering a glimpse that’s sometimes a hint, and sometimes just tantalising. Or perhaps a hint at some unintrusive plot, when a strange woman appears behind some puzzles but when you reach her she runs away, then stands behind a gate requiring more stars. But no, strange woman, I did not unlock that gate even when I had the stars, because I have SELF RESPECT and will not be MANIPULATED and also I FORGOT.
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Cicada Games/Gamera Games
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Cicada Games/Gamera Games
More blocks come soon enough, and periodically gain new powers or activate something that opens new paths. That’s true within its quite elaborately linked levels (the solution gap is sometimes bigger than I’d prefer, with a bit much backtracking if you’re as dense as me and under-use the map and its flagging system) and the wider world. There are other islands, see, and a turtle friend to carry you between them, to unlock more levels in a semi-linear fashion or get an early change of scenery (and more lovely music) and come back to the old island later.
Isles of Sea and Sky is an excellent puzzle game all round, neither punishing nor overwhelming, but requiring you to stop and think just often enough. It’s honestly hard to fault, and the only block-pushing game I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend even if they’re not your usual scene.
