{"id":199325,"date":"2022-08-29T07:13:36","date_gmt":"2022-08-29T05:13:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=199325"},"modified":"2025-07-01T20:29:57","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T03:29:57","slug":"ikonei-island-an-earthlock-adventure-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/ikonei-island-an-earthlock-adventure-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure Review | Crafting fantasy tale"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure is a crafting adventure game<\/strong> by Snowcastle Games that went into Early Access on Aug 18, 2022. It entails you and your crew landing on an island where you\u2019ll need to survive<\/strong>. However, there are strange creatures and pirates around, so you\u2019ll have to form a base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

There are many aspects of Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure you\u2019ll love. It\u2019s more than just a simple crafting game. With a touching story and adorable characters<\/strong>, it will have you playing for several hours. Let\u2019s jump straight into the review so you can see what\u2019s available during the current Early Access <\/strong>version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ikonei Island welcomes you to stay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Welcome to Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure! Earthlock is an RPG title<\/strong> published by the same company that launched in 2018. There were also comic books<\/strong> made available on Steam as DLCs<\/strong> to go with the game, and you can purchase an entire bundle <\/strong>that includes everything, with Ikonei Island also in the mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what to expect with regards to the story in Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Save Ikonei Island<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You and your friends are sailing on the ocean when, lo and behold, a storm causes you to crash on an island<\/strong> that you swore wasn\u2019t there before. There are four characters<\/strong> you can choose between, but I stuck with the Hogbunny. Sadly, there\u2019s no multiplayer available<\/strong> as yet during Early Access, so my children and I took turns exploring the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It won\u2019t be long before you realize the reason you can see the mysterious island. Pirates and foul creatures have destroyed eight shrines, which hide the land and protect it from storms and villains. You\u2019ll need to find a way to restore the beautiful Ikonei Island<\/strong> to its former glory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ikonei<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Finding your way around the island<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first element of Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure you\u2019ll encounter is exploration<\/strong>. With nothing to help you leave the island, you need to find routes around the island <\/strong>that are safe. There are different zones, while you\u2019ll start with the beach to gather essential resources. Fortunately, you have a stunning map to guide you<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The map updates<\/strong> every time you discover an important item<\/strong> that you\u2019ll need to upgrade or repair later. There\u2019s also key information on locations<\/strong> when you hover your pointer over them. You can see the name, what items are required, and the reward you\u2019ll receive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ikonei<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A froggy mission<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the earliest tasks you\u2019ll have in Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure is catching frogs<\/strong> and placing them on pedestals. When you do so, they\u2019ll speak to you and explain what happened<\/strong> to their homeland. You\u2019ll also receive missions<\/strong> to help upgrade the various zones with tips on how to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ikonei<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Meeting characters and creatures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are other helpful NPCs<\/strong> on Ikonei Island to meet. Some of them will join your camp and help you with crafting items. They have unique skills, but you\u2019ll have to establish workshops<\/strong> for them at your base. However, you\u2019ll need to complete an initial set of missions<\/strong> for them first before they\u2019ll accompany you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ikonei<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How long to play Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s surprising how much time Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure takes from your day when you\u2019re not paying attention. It took me about 8 hours to reach the final zone, and that\u2019s not including repairing the shrine and unlocking the tameable creature. The game will easily take you somewhere between 8 and 15 hours<\/strong> to complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making a home in Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Running around Ikonei Island and meeting the locals is only part of the fun in this Earthlock adventure. While the game is easy to learn<\/strong>, there are some challenging puzzles<\/strong> along the way. Let\u2019s take a look at some of the gameplay mechanics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning how to play Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Right off the bat, the game shows you how the basic controls<\/strong> work and what you need to do. While the frogs play an essential role<\/strong> with their in-game tutorials<\/strong>, you\u2019ll also see tooltips and descriptions <\/strong>appear for items and buildings. Still, the frogs play key parts whenever there\u2019s something new to learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Easy controls<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The controls<\/strong> for Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure are easy to master<\/strong>. As the game suggests on the main menu, it works much better on a controller<\/strong> than keyboard and mouse. There are no complicated button combinations, and you can quickly switch between various items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ikonei<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The inventory bar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll notice there\u2019s an inventory bar<\/strong> at the bottom of your screen. Now, in most games that have this, you need to go into your inventory and swap items for what you\u2019d like to see there. To save you time, you only need to press the triggers to toggle between each line<\/strong> in your bag. It\u2019s a game mechanic I wish other developers had thought of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ikonei<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Collecting resources and dropping items<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you first play Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure, you\u2019ll have limited space<\/strong> in your bag. Once you defeat pirate bases, you\u2019ll discover chests that add lines to your inventory<\/strong>. It will help you collect more resources for later upgrades and farming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you need more space, you can drop items<\/strong> you don\u2019t need on the floor or sell them at your base. The dropping mechanic asks you to choose where you want to throw the items. However, sometimes I wish there was a quick-drop system, especially when surrounded by enemies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ikonei<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Buildings, crafting, and upgrades<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once you establish your base<\/strong>, there will be platforms to create workshops<\/strong>. You need them for the main NPCs you\u2019ll meet who need the building for their crafts. They\u2019ll provide you with blueprints<\/strong>, or you can buy resources you really need and don\u2019t feel like finding them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The blueprints are essential for crafting<\/strong>. With the resources you\u2019ll find, you need to head to the crafting station, smelter, cutter, or loom to make items. Without the blueprints for these crafting tables, you\u2019ll be stuck. At a later stage, you can upgrade the workshops<\/strong> for more plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You also have access to a tent<\/strong>, which serves as your home<\/strong>. Once you enter, you\u2019ll have a lovely space to place beds, sofas, and other furniture you unlock along the way. While it may not seem like much, I hope Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure upgrades to include a more impressive building in the time to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ikonei<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A farmer\u2019s life<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another game mechanic you\u2019ll need to become used to is farming<\/strong>. There are plenty of plants<\/strong> around Ikonei Island, which provide you either with seeds or resources<\/strong>. With the hoe in hand, you can basically farm on any fertile land you find. The process consists of planting, watering, pollinating, and then harvesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While you may not feel like performing these tasks, some of the crops are essential for upgrading<\/strong> buildings or completing tasks. It\u2019s best to farm when you\u2019re not out adventuring, though. The plants will need your attention<\/strong>, and they grow rapidly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ikonei<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Making money on Ikonei Island<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The blueprints and other items that the NPCs sell will cost you Frogboy coins<\/strong>. If you end up with doubloons or items you don\u2019t need, you can drop them in a chest at your base. By the next morning, they\u2019re sold for the price indicated, and the money ends up with you. Resources respawn eventually, so don\u2019t be shy to sell them if you need some coins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time to fight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It wouldn\u2019t be an adventure game without some pirates and fighting. There are two types of combat<\/strong> in Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure. The first involves swinging your weapon <\/strong>at foul creatures you find along the way. For the second, you need to stealthily move past the pirate crew <\/strong>at their bases, find canons, and shoot the captain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creatures are usually easy to fight once you learn how they move and attack. You can hit projectiles back at them<\/strong>, or just keep slashing to hold everyone at bay. Just don\u2019t be seen by the pirate crew, or you\u2019ll have to start over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ikonei<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Taming the wild<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most adorable aspects of Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure (and the main reason my children wanted to play) is that you can tame specific creatures<\/strong>. Once you rescue them from the pirate base, you can tame one of them to join you. Each one has a unique ability <\/strong>that you\u2019ll need, and you can upgrade them to make them more powerful.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To tell you what each one does and where you\u2019ll need them is an entire guide on its own. The only aspect I don\u2019t like is that they sometimes get in your way when you want to collect an item. Sure, you can send them home, but then you need to summon them again when done. Still, being able to bond with them and then play as the creature<\/strong> is utterly entertaining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ikonei<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Games like Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure is incredibly unique in its own way, there are some games that share a few of the elements. For example, the inventory bar and crafting<\/strong> are certainly similar to Minecraft<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With regards to the gameplay and visuals<\/strong>, you have something more akin to Portal Knights<\/a> <\/strong>and My Time at Portia<\/a><\/strong>. I share the same fondness for these games as I now do with Ikonei Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PC requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Despite how many hours Ikonei Island takes with all the content, the requirements<\/strong> for this Earthlock adventure aren\u2019t high<\/strong>. Also, I didn\u2019t experience any lag or performance issues on Windows 11. Here\u2019s what you\u2019ll need as minimum requirements at this stage of Early Access:<\/p>\n\n\n\n