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Petit Island is a wonderfully wholesome game perfect for the whole family. However, this won’t be for you if you love sports games or bloody shooters. Yet, if you fancy a change of pace and a beautifully created story, this should be on your radar.
This narrative adventure game was developed by Xelo Games and published by SOEDESCO. Furthermore, it is open-world and can be enjoyed by one player. Though this may disappoint gaming families, you can take it in turns as you explore the lush and varied island.
Petit Island tells a touching story.
If you are family-focused, you’ll do anything for your loved ones. If you see them fade away or lose their spark, it will tug at your heartstrings. This is exactly what happens in Petit Island. Though it didn’t make me shed a tear, I was emotionally involved in the plot.
You play the role of Lily. She is a young animal with a kind heart. Her Grandpaw is sick and his memory is fading. Yet, his journal of his time at Petit Island makes him smile. Sadly, though, some of the pages are damaged and with it, the memories are slipping. Accordingly, Lily takes it upon herself to visit the island to update the journal and bring a spark to the life of her Grandpaw.
Straightforward action.
Petit Island follows a simple-to-understand gameplay loop. Each page of the journal must be filled and this means exploring the surrounding world. As you move from place to place, there are side quests to complete. Alongside this, there are activities such as bug hunting and fishing. None of these tasks will test you and this makes it perfect for younger children.
The quests follow suit. Each one demands that you move from point A to B while collecting certain items. Alternatively, you may need to use your camera or speak to a local. Either way, you won’t be tested and this makes it relaxing. I enjoyed the use of the local llamas as transport as this made navigating the island less of a chore. This wasn’t an essential tool, but who doesn’t want to ride across a fictional island on a llama?
Petit Island is a vibrant affair.
The graphics are a little basic but I liked them nonetheless. The vibrant colours are eye-catching, and the world has unique biomes to explore. Each of the characters is larger than life and this brings energy to the experience. Alongside this, I loved Lily’s playful animations. She’d skip and hop her way around the world. Though this could drive some gamers mad, my girls giggled as they approached each new area.
The audio blends melancholy moments with fun and jovial tunes. This combination may seem weird, but it reflects the nature of the story perfectly. Additionally, I liked the ambient sounds and the fun and suitable sound effects.
Basic controls.
Petit Island is a cinch to play. There are few inputs to master and the buttons are responsive. This is ideal for kids and people who wish for a lack of complexity. However, I wish the inventory system was more refined. It was a pain to select unique items for different tasks. This isn’t a deal breaker, but it made it slightly more cumbersome than needed.
Replay value will depend on your completionist mindset. If you don’t wish to capture every bug or fish, you will struggle to return for more. But if you love that gaming aspect, there is plenty to see and do. Consequently, there is some longevity for this relatively short game.
Petit Island is a touching experience.
This won’t appeal to everyone. The calm and slow-paced gameplay and wholesome story could be a turn-off. However, if you want a calm and touching experience that is family-friendly and child-safe, then this is for you. I adored the graphics and the mellow soundtrack. Furthermore, the story is fantastic. Subsequently, I recommend buying it here! Can you fill your Grandpaw’s journal? Explore the island, help the locals, and rekindle that spark.
