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We first reported on Echo Isle, a new mini-adventure title from developer Josh Koenig Games, a few months ago. We’ve now had a chance to play it for ourselves, and must say it’s one of the best hours of video gaming we’ve had in a long while. Why only an hour? Well, Echo Isle can be completed in about that time. We clocked in at 62 minutes following the credits rolling, so this isn’t an epic adventure title that will have you coming back for more, but what is here is delightful.
Echo Isle is clearly inspired by classic Zelda games from the 90s and has all the tropes you’d expect to find. The adventure starts when the island’s lighthouse is extinguished, and all the nasty monsters return to wreak havoc. It’s up to star warrior Aster to save the day by collecting the Echo Stars and restoring the light that keeps everyone safe. The game is broken down into four dungeons, each with puzzles, a boss, and secrets. The dungeons are all connected by an overworld map that opens up the further you get.
No adventure would be complete without our hero finding a sword early on, and that is exactly what happens. Aster can also find secret gems that unlock a more powerful sword, but we won’t spoil the surprise of how to find the gems or the sword. Aster will also gain a life potion container as well as the usual heart pieces to build health, and along the way, various abilities such as jump, bombs, and a bow to fire arrows are unlocked.
Echo Isle isn’t trying to reinvent anything and just wants to provide a tiny Zelda-like experience that can be finished quickly. It achieves this and does away with any faff. Every screen on the overworld has a purpose, and you’re rewarded by exploring and experimenting. There is one final surprise at the end, which almost feels like a fifth dungeon, but as it’s fun and a good twist to the story, we’ll just leave it there. Considering how small the entire game is, it’s almost impossible to get lost, and we only had to track back once or twice.
Graphically, Echo Isle feels like a GBC title, or possibly a late NES game. The music is similarly retro, with a great chiptune soundtrack and the bleeps and bloops you’d expect from a game like this. Controlling Aster is very easy, and each new ability only takes a few moments to master. Our only gripe was occasionally falling down a pit when it seemed as though we weren’t directly over it, as if we were sucked down, but this didn’t spoil anything.
Overall, Echo Isle is a quick and easy adventure game that retro fans will appreciate. It won’t provide the challenge or depth that some may be looking for, but if you have a spare hour or two, this is a great way to spend it. It only costs $5 and is currently on sale, so it is certainly worth adding to a wishlist if you like the genre or just buying if you are a big Zelda fan. This is a well-made game that doesn’t outstay its welcome and is a delight from start to finish.
