Crypt Custodian
Crypt Custodian
Game
Game2022
Islets
Developer Kyle Thompson
Islets is a 2022 video game developed by Kyle Thompson and published by Armor Games Studios for Windows, Nintendo Switch and Xbox. Upon release, the game received generally positive reviews. From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
358 reactions from 4 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Lemmy, Mastodon) · newest Nov 4, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
94
LovedLoved
213 positive · 14 negative
95% range 90–96%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 213 | 14 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 45 | 0 | 61 |
| Lemmy * | 3 | 0 | 14 |
| Mastodon * | 2 | 0 | 6 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Overwhelmingly Positive
1,566 of 1,625 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
94% recommend · 202 yes, 13 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 215 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Overwhelmingly Positive (2,435 of 2,558 positive).
Players describe Islets as a charming, forgiving Metroidvania with a warm and positive tone. [1][2][3] Many find it accessible and a good entry point for newcomers to the genre. [4][5][6] Some reviewers note issues with repetitive level design or controller compatibility. [7][8][9]
Liked
Representative posts
- [7]
This game does not deserve the overwhelming praise that it gets. Basically the game is about meta progression to overcome bad design. They didn't even bother to mark the map. And at the end they couldn't even be bothered to come up with a halfway decent skill for world traversal and just put blocks with Xs on them and give a power attack that would never get used in combat to get through them. I would say if on DEEP …
- [1]
𝕀 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕘𝕒𝕞𝕖 𝕤𝕠 𝕞𝕦𝕔𝕙... Islets is one of those rare indie games that feels like a warm hug wrapped inside a Metroidvania. It’s gentle, charming, and quietly ambitious. You play as Iko—an earnest, slightly awkward warrior—flying between floating islands to reconnect them and restore the world. The premise is cute, but the execution is surprisingly thoughtful. The game’s biggest strength is its …
- [4]
I consider this game to be "babys first metroidvania" and I mean that as a compliment. Its silly and childlike design, tight controls, extremely forgiving difficulty, fun boss fights, and level traversal to be aspects that turn this game into one of the most accessible metroidvanias (and videogames) I have ever played. Islets 7/10
- [3]
This quickly became one of my favorite metroidvanias! The art style is so cute and the dialogue is witty and funny. The difficulty scales well in a way that made the game difficult but not so much so that I ever wanted to give up (except for maybe on the flying bosses). I cannot recommend this game enough! ♥
- [2]
Islets is a cute, forgiving, polished and highly-focused 2D-Metroidvania. Difficulty is rather light (except for a couple of encounters which are a bit challenging) and death is unpunished, allowing the player to quickly tackle any difficulties they experienced again. 100% Completion can be achieved in under 10 hours, depending on player ability of course. All in all, Islets leaves a pleasant feeling of …
Summarised from 34 of the 322 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 12, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
Islets sits at 94% positive across 227 opinionated reactions from 4 sources. Fresh or rotten — where do you land?
Critics, per Wikipedia
Islets received "generally favorable" reviews from contemporary critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic.
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 358 · most liked firstJust announced my next game, Well Dweller! Well Dweller is a dark fairy-tale metroidvania about a tiny bird armed with a matchstick. I previously made Crypt Custodian and Islets and I’m so excited to share this new game! Wishlist on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/3699590/...
neutral · AI labelView post →Needed a new game to play before bed so I decided to finally try out a game called Islets, which has been in my Steam backlog for a while now. Surprisingly great little metroidvania. Movement felt very fluid and fast and fun, and the island connecting stuff was cool. I wanna play more by this team
positive · AI labelView post →2026 game #25: Islets I have a category called Smile: The Game. Peak examples: Dragon Quest. I’m officially adding Kyle Thompson’s games bc Islets was the last I needed to play & it was a fucking DELIGHT. If I’m playing, I’m smiling. Art, humor, metroidvania. IM READIER THAN EVER FOR WELL DWELLER
positive · AI labelView post →I've said it before, but Kyle Thompson is a MACHINE of an indie game dev. Four big, successful, critically praised metroidvanias in six years. 2020: Sheepo 2022: Islets 2024: Crypt Custodian 2026: Well Dweller Whatever he does in 2028 is going to be amazing.
neutral · AI labelView post →Well Dweller looks AMAZING!! The iteration of the art style is GORGEOUS I can’t believe Kyle Thompson has another game already - Sheepo, Islets, Crypt Custodian - that makes 4 games from 2021 to 2026 🤯👏👏👏 youtu.be/J1e29j2DzqU?...
neutral · AI labelView post →Im only a few hours into Well Dweller. Islets and Crypt Custodian were top 10 games for me in their respective years. This game is so clearly on another level it's crazy. @hananomaude.bsky.social called it from the PAX demo she played months ago. This is a true GotY contender. Play this shit.
positive · AI labelView post →𝕀 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕘𝕒𝕞𝕖 𝕤𝕠 𝕞𝕦𝕔𝕙... Islets is one of those rare indie games that feels like a warm hug wrapped inside a Metroidvania. It’s gentle, charming, and quietly ambitious. You play as Iko—an earnest, slightly awkward warrior—flying between floating islands to reconnect them and restore the world. The premise is cute, but the execution is surprisingly thoughtful. The game’s biggest strength is its sense of positivity. Enemies are tough, bosses are creative, and the…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →34. Well Dweller The developer of Crypt Custodian and Islets (I should really play those, I've heard nothing but good things) has a new game coming that looks to be a very neat metroidvania and has an excellent creepy-cute aesthetic. Instead wishlist as soon as I saw it.
neutral · AI labelView post →Game #23 of 2026: Islets Started: Apr. 5 Completed: Apr. 6 This is one of the best short metroidvanias I've ever played, having beaten it in almost 12 hours. It's a massive jump from Sheepo, and it's close to being tied with Crypt Custodian for me. Such great gameplay and wholesome characters 🥹
positive · AI labelView post →I have all three Zero Escape games that I bought YEARS ago (I only played the first one and LOVED it) and I've had the Danganronpa games for years as well and haven't played any of them. Am I crazy? 😂 My next game after Islets will be a visual novel, so maybe it'll help me play those VNs and more 👀
neutral · AI labelView post →The finale for Islets will be going up today. It was fun from start to finish and the only issue I had with it was the game not recognizing my controller. Highly recommended for fans of the genre, just have JoyToKey at the ready! Definitely a good spot to end the Year of Metroidvanias!
positive · AI labelView post →Now starting Islets, the second Indie game from Kyle Thompson! As much as I enjoyed Sheepo, I'm looking forward to any improvements in this one. Actually, I already found one in the options - button mapping! I played two games I love now from this indie dev, I'm sure I'll love this too! 😌 #Islets
positive · AI labelView post →Return to Metroidvania Humble Game Bundle: bit.ly/3RSdYUY #ad $14 for 8 games - GRIME - Berserk Boy - BioGun - Shantae and the Seven Sirens - Islets - Astalon: Tears of the Earth - Monster Sanctuary - Gato Roboto $10 and $5 tiers are also available
neutral · AI labelView post →Fun game, nothing too special but kept me entertained. Game is listed as unsupported on the steam deck but only had to remap the buttons to work.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Indie World Showcase Summary - August 7 2025. ### Mina the Hollower Nintendo Switch 2 - October 31, 2025, demo out now Descend into a frightful world of action-adventure in Mina the Hollower. Play as Mina, a renowned Hollower, hurtled into a desperate mission to rescue a cursed island. Burrow beneath hazards and monsters, whip foes into oblivion, and gear up with an arsenal of sidearms and trinkets. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT8suGTzYN0 ### WELL DWELLER Nintendo Switch - 2026 Deep…
neutral · AI labelView post →I started w Crypt Custodian last yr then did his 1st game Sheepo. While Crypt Custodian stays my fav overall (bc story & camera shakeup), it’s by a thin margin. Islets is a major step up from Sheepo & has some wonderful characters. Level design has a few spots to improve… Well Dweller could do it 👀
neutral · AI labelView post →I’ve been playing Islets (wonderful game!) and fell in love with this scene. It even inspired an illustration I’m currently working on! You can see the WIP on Patreon: www.patreon.com/Evansky_arts... #art #artist #cute #gaming #indiegame #cats
positive · AI labelView post →I beat Sheepo! Cozy game. For being a first game it was impressive. A Metroidvania with 0% combat. Gorgeous backgrounds. Subdued music with a tinge of sadness. Wholesome ending. 😊 I liked it! Would recommend. Next Kyle Thompson game will be Islets. 😎
neutral · AI labelView post →Now starting Sheepo, the debut indie game from Kyle Thompson! I LOVED his latest game, Crypt Custodian, and I'm looking forward to playing Islets (after this) and Well Dweller later this year! First impressions of this short metroidvania to come later today 😌 #Sheepo
neutral · AI labelView post →Well Dweller, the 4th metroidvania by solo-dev Kyle Thompson, is out now on all major platforms with a rating over 91% on Metacritic. Seems like he's perfected his style. If you haven't played [Crypt Custodian](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2394650/Crypt_Custodian/) or [Islets](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1669420/Islets/), I recommend them. They're not as long or as challenging as some others, but people fall in love with Kyle's point of view. >Well Dweller is a dark fairy-tale…
neutral · AI labelView post →🎉 We’re excited to officially reveal Islets Defense! 🎉 Our turn-based tower defense game where you build a small village, gather resources, and defend your castle! 🏰✨ Wishlist it now on Steam and get ready—demo drops next month! 👉 store.steampowered.com/app/3235170/...
neutral · AI labelView post →I've decided that there won't be a full review. Already deleted my screenshots. For once, I'm not ruining a great game by throwing together a bunch of words that nobody will read. Make some time and play Islets. It might even be in your library already.
positive · AI labelView post →Here's my first #NintendoSwitch #indiegame highlight for today! 🎮👍🏼 Game - Islets Developer - @kylethompsondev.bsky.social Publisher - @armorgamesstudios.com Release date - August 24, 2022
neutral · AI labelView post →Well Dweller, the upcoming metroidvania from Kyle Thompson, the creator of Crypt Custodian and Islets, is announced for a 2026 release on PC and Switch. His other games are fantastic >Well Dweller is a dark fairy-tale metroidvania full of charming characters living in a wretched kingdom. Play as Glimmer- a tiny bird armed with a matchstick- who must burn the wicked queen to save his family. 🌐 [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3699590/Well_Dweller/?curator_clanid=41713402)
neutral · AI labelView post →✨ It’s official: Islets Defense launches June 18 on Steam! 🎉 After a year of developing, testing, and tweaking, with the help of our lovely playtesters, we’re super excited to finally share the full game with you! Get your towers ready, the slimes are coming! 🦆🚀💥
neutral · AI labelView post →Where Islets excels is its characters, as the game progresses they literally send you mail updating on what they're doing
positive · AI labelView post →Well Dweller, the upcoming metroidvania from Kyle Thompson, the creator of Crypt Custodian and Islets, has set a September 22nd release date for all major platforms. Day 1 purchase for me. Kyle's games are awesome and this looks no different. >Well Dweller is a dark fairy-tale metroidvania, full of charming characters living in a wretched kingdom. Play as Glimmer - a tiny bird armed with a matchstick - who must burn the wicked queen to save his family. 🌐…
neutral · AI labelView post →A Solo Dev Metroidvania That Almost Soars Islets is a major milestone for its solo developer, Kyle Thompson. This smaller-scope Metroidvania, crafted almost entirely by one person, turned out really well. Kyle demonstrates a keen design sensibility. The game may lean toward the simpler end of the genre, but it’s packed with elegant mechanics: fluid movement, clear visual cues for dodging, and a surprisingly satisfying synergy between melee and ranged combat. Bossfights particularly…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Weird coincidence that Islets is actually on sale right now on Steam so... yeah go get it because it's really freakin good! There's also a whole Kyle Thompson game bundle as well that's only like $35 and has 3 games. Great deal IMO store.steampowered.com/app/1669420/...
positive · AI labelView post →Islets is a silly, fun metroidvania with nice music and art, plus a bit of bullet hell action. The combat is intuitive, with a nice variety of both monsters and environmental hazards. I really enjoy the game loop in Islets. Obviously as a metroidvania, there is a lot of back and forth as new abilities unlock new routes. However, Islets makes it feel fresh by providing several completely separate maps. which are slowly connected as you progress in the game. Each new connection both creates a…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →If you like games like #Silksong, but lack the time or the agility to get as far as you'd like, you are gonna LOVE this game #Islets! Super cute, super fun, not too long, and if you're lucky/good, you can one-shot a boss on a 1st try!!! (yes, I play on easy) #videogames #metroidvania #gaming
positive · AI labelView post →Played this on Hard. I'd give it a Mixed recommendation but since that is not an option, I'll go for positive instead. I think it is just two devs (brothers?) that made a game together and I find that very endearing. First half of it was entertaining enough, not really complicated, just a simple 2D Metroidvania which was exactly what I was looking for. As it went on however areas just kinda got progressively more annoying because of weird platforming bits and my most disliked type of enemy in…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →[Steam] Islets $7.99 / 60% off).
neutral · AI labelView post →🛡️ Play Islets Defense and share your feedback with us! store.steampowered.com/app/3235170/... #madewithgodot #indiedev #gamedev
neutral · AI labelView post →Having some emotional difficulties this week, so I couldn't make a schedule yet. In a way, it feels like I'm a child again; aimless, trying to figure out where I belong. I do feel like I'd like to play a game tomorrow. Probably "The Last Campfire", maybe "Islets". No set time; whenever I'm ready.
neutral · AI labelView post →I consider this game to be "babys first metroidvania" and I mean that as a compliment. Its silly and childlike design, tight controls, extremely forgiving difficulty, fun boss fights, and level traversal to be aspects that turn this game into one of the most accessible metroidvanias (and videogames) I have ever played. Islets 7/10
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Islets is a cute, forgiving, polished and highly-focused 2D-Metroidvania. Difficulty is rather light (except for a couple of encounters which are a bit challenging) and death is unpunished, allowing the player to quickly tackle any difficulties they experienced again. 100% Completion can be achieved in under 10 hours, depending on player ability of course. All in all, Islets leaves a pleasant feeling of accomplishment once credits roll, due to its brisk gameplay, focused, yet varied…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →And another short romp complete: 23rd game of 2025, Islets. It's a Metroidvania. It was alright. Standard, 7/10. Tbh, it's one of the games I most wanted to put down, but it was also super short so I made it through (barely 7hrs to beat). The positive is the overall theme and art, it's a - - -
neutral · AI labelView post →Islets Defense is joining the Latin American Game Showcase! 🥳🥳🥳🥳 We're excited to be part of an event celebrating so many amazing games, check it out here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-veS... #LAGS2025 #SummerGameFest #indiegame
neutral · AI labelView post →I started playing Islets after hearing anout it from your posts, and I really enjoy it! Thank you!
positive · AI labelView post →😍😍😍 Tulipa just crafted this amazing image of our game in pixel art, now I want to play Islets Defense on a Gameboy so baaad. Thank you so much for this, we couldn't be happier ❤️ Follow her amazing work here in Bsky!
neutral · AI labelView post →Heya folks, here's a set of screenshots featuring an indie metroidvania game called Islets by Kyle Thompson and Armor Games Studios. #islets #videogames #indiegames #platformer #screenshots
neutral · AI labelView post →Heya folks, here's a short featuring an indie metroidvania game called Islets by Kyle Thompson and Armor Games Studios. This is my first time playing this one, but it's surprisingly addictive once you get going. This is from the 2nd island. #islets #videogames #indiegames #platformer #gameplay
positive · AI labelView post →If I were to critique the game, I didn't connect with the story or writing quite as much here. But its certainly not bad and still just a bonus. The gameplay is several steps up from Islets and Crypt Custodian and thats what matters in this genre especially.
neutral · AI labelView post →Nice game to play, actually. Dialogues are funny, gameplay isn't overcomplicated, mobs and bosses aren't that hard, so you can relax after work for 2-4 evenings, depends on how much time you'll spend) This author has it's unique style which is adorable (expect his last game ahaha), animations are smooth and everything is easy to learn. Definately will play his other games (already have all of them in my library :D)
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Islets Defense has gone gold! That`s it, the game is complete. Now we are going to start working on Controller Support for the Steam Deckers out there! 🎮🥇
neutral · AI labelView post →Thinking of starting Islets on stream tomorrow. The developer already has another game out (Crypt Custodian), but I'm going to start with this one. I played the demo and really liked it, but never got around to playing the full thing. #islets #indiegames #streaming #smallstreamer #twitch
positive · AI labelView post →Woohoo, thanks for running a mini-raffle dude. 😁 I was actually interested in this game because it sounds like his style just keeps getting better (have only played Islets so far).
positive · AI labelView post →This quickly became one of my favorite metroidvanias! The art style is so cute and the dialogue is witty and funny. The difficulty scales well in a way that made the game difficult but not so much so that I ever wanted to give up (except for maybe on the flying bosses). I cannot recommend this game enough! ♥
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Appleseed's Indie Game Of The Day! Day 210) Islets by Kyle Thompson A simple and charming little Metroidvania where you play as Iko, a warrior reuniting the islands around them. It's a wholesome little story with fun and beautiful lands and quirky characters to meet.
neutral · AI labelView post →100% review: I picked this game up on a whim due to a sale, thinking it could be a good starter before trying other games of this genre. Looked cute, looked simple enough for mechanics - but my lord they do have complexity hidden in this seemingly easy-looking game. A fantastic start to a journey into this genre. You're not a saviour of the worlds, you're just a simpleton warrior who is trying to make it, creating friends along the way and watching a story unfold before your eyes. Each upgrade…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I can also say that the sound track to the game is so good! If you liked Crypt Custodian definitely check out their previous one Islets which also is a lot of fun to play. Soundtrack-> youtu.be/I9OzG73mcd8?... Islets -> store.steampowered.com/app/1669420/... #indiegames
positive · AI labelView post →Heya folks, here's a 4th, and final, short featuring Islets by Kyle Thompson and Armor Games Studios. This is from the first section of the final boss in the game. After this, you pilot your ship and fight it in the air #islets #videogames #indiegames #platformer #gameplay
neutral · AI labelView post →i loved the art style of the game and the fact that it is a metroidvania which is what made me buy it. i was excited to try it. however it's not fully compatible with an xbox controller despite steam saying it is. i couldnt even get past the tutorial because i couldnt open the map, exit the game itself or change the controlls with the controller. currently i dont recommend it if you have an xbox controller. im sorry but this really disappointed me :(
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's not bad, but it's so repetitive... all screens in an area look almost the same. The animation is smooth and the background graphics are charming, but the "sprites" look too flat. The sound is what it is—not good, not bad. Unfortunately, I can't recommend this game because it feels like you are walking through the same screen 100 times, but as I said, it's not a bad game per se.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Charming Metroidvania that does not have the "soulslike" tag. That alone makes it wonderful in my opinion. But then the game itself is also great. Not too difficult, but occasionally challenging on normal difficulty on the first playthrough.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Finished [Crypt Custodian](https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/crypt-custodian-switch/)! Another fun and wholesome metroidvania from Kyle Thompson, I loved how the goal you need to complete to unlock the final part of the game is simply "make ten friends". I liked Islets a bit more but both games are excellent. --- First successful escape in [Hades](https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/hades-switch/)! I haven't mentioned it in these threads but I've been doing quick sessions…
positive · AI labelView post →This game does not deserve the overwhelming praise that it gets. Basically the game is about meta progression to overcome bad design. They didn't even bother to mark the map. And at the end they couldn't even be bothered to come up with a halfway decent skill for world traversal and just put blocks with Xs on them and give a power attack that would never get used in combat to get through them. I would say if on DEEP sale and if you're sick and need a game you can play with a controller it might…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →21. Islets. I'm honestly not sure why I haven't reviewed this one, but it is so good. A metroidvania game where floating islands each have their own map and you can click them together to go to new places. Also super cute! And just very well-made in general store.steampowered.com/app/1669420/...
positive · AI labelView post →Charming hand drawn metroidvania. Good length, finished 100% within 8 hours. Difficulty is easy to medium, would recommend playing it on hard if you can handle your average platforming. Story is simple and there isn't too much to talk about it. Art is cute and nice to look at. The creatures are silly. Good enemy variation, although the difficulty increase is all about "shoots more projectiles". Interesting gimmick with the islands, where connecting them together opens new paths.…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
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