Indie publisher Top Hat Studios and developer Slime King Games have released Under The Island, a retro-inspired action-adventure RPG now available worldwide on PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, and Xbox platforms.
Set on Seashell Island, the game places players in a colorful world influenced by 1990s-era design and anime aesthetics. The project features vibrant pixel art from Simone Grünewald, formerly art director at Daedalic Entertainment, helping shape its distinct visual identity.
Players take on the role of Nia, a newcomer who arrives on Seashell Island and soon learns that it faces a dire fate. The island is said to be sinking beneath the ocean, prompting Nia to team up with a local girl named Avocado to uncover the truth behind the looming disaster. Their journey spans a variety of interconnected regions, each with its own hazards, secrets, and characters.
Under The Island follows a classic top-down structure, emphasizing exploration and player-driven discovery. The island includes six major regions, ranging from frozen peaks and eerie greenhouses to deserts populated by sentient walking pots. Other areas include chaotic sawmills and unusual locations such as Bran Bran Peak, where cereal is mysteriously mined from the ice.
Combat begins simply, with Nia wielding a hockey stick, but expands as players uncover new tools, treasures, and abilities. Weapons and items can be found in dungeons, earned through minigames, or acquired by interacting with the island’s inhabitants and wildlife. Additional tools such as a shovel, a trumpet, and even a bird companion can be used to open new paths and solve environmental challenges.
The island is populated by a range of unusual enemies, including tunneling wolves and hostile vegetables. Players can adapt their tactics using artifacts and loot gathered throughout their journey. Animals can also be befriended and may assist in certain situations.
Beyond combat and exploration, the game introduces a cast of distinct characters with their own personalities and side activities. Players can participate in events such as cook-offs, reunite lost pets, and assist locals while gradually uncovering the broader mystery threatening Seashell Island.
Under The Island is available now digitally across all listed platforms.
