The Isle
" Immersive action-adventure survival with realistic dinosaurs and permadeath, but steep learning curve "
The Isle Review
The Isle offers a unique dinosaur survival experience with impressive graphics and immersive sound design, creating a realistic ambiance that many players find captivating. The game features a variety of dinosaur species, each with distinct gameplay mechanics, encouraging different playstyles such as stealth, pack hunting, or ambush tactics. However, the game is currently hampered by a steep learning curve and a lack of tutorials, making it difficult for new players to grasp core mechanics without external resources.
Players frequently report issues with server population due to an overly large map and low player density, which leads to sparse in-game interactions and long periods of aimless wandering. The stamina system and food scarcity, especially for carnivores, add to the difficulty and sometimes frustration. Moreover, bugs, optimization problems, and rampant cheating further detract from the experience. The development pace is slow, and communication from developers is often criticized, leaving many feeling the game is unfinished and unpolished.
Highlights
Players praise the game's realistic dinosaur animations, detailed graphics, and immersive sound design that create a convincing prehistoric atmosphere. The diversity of dinosaur species and their unique behaviors add depth to gameplay, making each experience distinct. Fans appreciate the survival challenge and the thrill of hunting or evading predators, with some comparing it favorably to other survival games but with dinosaurs. The game's unforgiving nature and permadeath mechanics are seen as adding meaningful tension and finality to gameplay, appealing to dedicated fans of the genre.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the game's steep learning curve with no in-game tutorials, making it unfriendly to new players. The large map size combined with low player counts results in empty servers and limited player interaction. The stamina system, especially for flying dinosaurs, is seen as overly punishing. Food scarcity and unbalanced gameplay favor herbivores, diminishing carnivore viability. Technical issues such as bugs, crashes, lag, and poor optimization are widespread. Cheating and hacking are rampant, with inadequate developer response. Slow development progress and poor communication from the dev team frustrate the community, leading many to hesitate recommending the game.
Pros
- • Realistic dinosaur animations enhance immersion and gameplay variety.
- • High-quality graphics and sound design create a convincing prehistoric world.
- • Diverse dinosaur species offer unique playstyles and survival strategies.
- • Permadeath mechanics add tension and meaningful consequences.
- • Dedicated community provides external resources and support.
- • Unforgiving survival elements appeal to hardcore players.
- • Large maps allow for exploration and strategic play.
Cons
- • No in-game tutorial makes learning curve steep and frustrating.
- • Large maps with low player density lead to empty servers.
- • Stamina system, especially for flyers, is overly restrictive.
- • Food scarcity impacts gameplay balance and enjoyment.
- • Game suffers from frequent bugs, crashes, and optimization issues.
- • Rampant cheating and hacking with poor developer enforcement.
- • Slow development progress and lack of meaningful updates.
Rating Criteria
Experience fierce open world survival gameplay as you attempt to stay alive on an unforgiving island inhabited by dinosaurs! Hunt. Grow. Survive.