A new Zelda-like indie RPG has just washed up on Steam, and it’s already making a strong first impression. Under the Island launched on February 17, 2026, and quickly earned a 90% positive rating from early player reviews. If you love classic handheld-style adventures with puzzles, quirky tools, and a world that rewards curiosity over checklist grinding, this one is worth a look.
Set on the charming but troubled Seashell Island, the story follows Nia, a newcomer who realizes something is terribly wrong: the island is physically sinking. That sense of urgency feeds directly into the game’s design. Instead of guiding you through a straight line of quests, Under the Island uses a non-linear “braided” world structure where your choices matter. The ecosystem responds to how you progress and even what difficulty you choose, reshaping biome layouts and pushing you to adapt. It’s less about following a marked route and more about learning the island’s logic, finding creative paths forward, and uncovering secrets at your own pace.
Gameplay leans heavily into interaction and problem-solving rather than stat-chasing. Nia’s kit is full of weird, playful artifacts that double as exploration tools and puzzle solutions. You’ll use items like a fire-breathing plant, a bird companion that can help trigger switches, and an unconventional primary weapon: a hockey stick. That offbeat loadout sets the tone for a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously, even when the stakes in the story are rising.
Puzzles are at the heart of the experience, and the variety is a big part of the appeal. Alongside familiar challenges like block pushing and light reflection, the game also throws in Picross-style logic elements that demand a different kind of thinking. It’s the kind of puzzle-heavy adventure that makes progress feel earned, especially when you solve something using your tools in a way that clicks after a few failed attempts.
Combat feedback is a little more mixed, though still largely positive. Early players are praising boss fights for their “stage play” feel—more visually inventive and mechanically creative than typical indie encounters. Some have also noted that standard enemies can feel a bit tanky early on, with larger-than-expected health pools that may make fights seem spongy until you secure upgrades. For players who come for the puzzles and exploration first, that may be a minor speed bump rather than a dealbreaker.
Visually, Under the Island is landing with fans of vibrant pixel art. Players have been calling out its “Saturday morning cartoon” vibe, with high-saturation colors and a light, quirky tone that fits the game’s unusual tools and playful worldbuilding. The quest log design is also getting praise for being intentionally vague in a good way—it encourages genuine exploration and discovery instead of turning the adventure into nonstop waypoint chasing.
For handheld players, there’s another notable win: the game launched fully Steam Deck Verified and is reported to run at a locked 60 FPS. While it doesn’t support a 16:10 aspect ratio (so Steam Deck users may see black bars), performance is still being described as smooth and consistent where it matters most.
Under the Island is priced at $19.99, but there’s a limited-time 15% launch discount that drops it to $16.99 until March 3, 2026. It’s also included in select launch bundles, including an “Under the Island x Castaway” pack that offers a bigger combined discount for anyone looking to pick up more than one new adventure at once.
With strong early reviews, a puzzle-forward design, and a reactive world that rewards experimentation, Under the Island is shaping up to be one of the more promising new indie action-adventure RPGs on Steam for fans of classic Zelda-like exploration.
