Why Under the Island Is Trending
Released on February 17, 2026, Under the Island arrived with a demo that had already built up a dedicated following, and the full release didn't disappoint. Critics quickly drew comparisons to beloved SNES-era classics — The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Secret of Mana, and Crystalis — while praising Slime King Games for modernizing the formula without losing what made those games special.
The game's vibrant pixel-art biomes and protagonist Nia's story of racing to save her home struck a chord with players craving wholesome-yet-challenging indie adventures. With multiple review outlets covering it launch day and word spreading through RPG communities, Under the Island has quickly become one of February's notable indie releases.
Key Stats
Trending in the Steam Action RPG category with 338 concurrent players and Trending on Steam this week.
About Under the Island
Under the Island puts you in the shoes of Nia, a young hero who must battle fierce monsters, solve clever puzzles, and explore a world teeming with mystery — all to save her new home before it's too late. The game is steeped in the aesthetic DNA of 90s action RPGs, channeling the top-down exploration and real-time combat of genre legends while weaving in modern sensibilities.
Developed by German studio Slime King Games over several years, Under the Island features multiple distinct biomes, a rich cast of characters, and a story that reviewers describe as "a super fun trip through a new and vibrant world." The game also released alongside a selection from its original game soundtrack, available separately for fans of the music.
Whether you're a veteran of 16-bit action RPGs or a newcomer to the genre, Under the Island offers an accessible but satisfying adventure. The combat has some rough edges, and narrative depth is limited, but the world itself — alive with color, creature, and curiosity — is the real draw.
What Players Are Saying
✅ Reasons to Play
- Beautiful pixel-art world with vibrant, distinct biomes
- Captures the charm of 90s classics like Secret of Mana and A Link to the Past
- Solid 8–12 hour adventure at a fair $16.99 price point
❌ Things to Consider
- Combat design has some rough patches reviewers noted
- Narrative lacks the depth of its RPG inspirations
- Breakout debut title — some rough edges expected from a new studio
What the Community Is Saying
Target Audience: Action Adventure Games Who Love Exploration and a Link to the Past Summary: When it's obvious from the get go that a game like Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past has a strong influence on a game's development, some games can fall into the trap of feeling too…
This game reminds me so much of Minish Cap in every way I could hope for. The pixel art style is vibrant and upbeat, the world is detailed, the characters are active, the exploration is enthralling As of writing this I've completed the second dungeon and I already know this is a…
Beautiful, fun and charming little gem of a game with a LOT of personality. If you're an exploration gamer like me who loves detailed, immersive worlds full of secrets and diverse puzzles, then Under the Island totally got you covered. I'm loving every second of it!
This is a wonderful action adventure! The world design, the puzzles, the music, the art, it all combines to make a perfect nostalgic vibe. I have completed the first two dungeons, and have now gotten completely sidetracked with talking to people and exploring the world before…
A MUST PLAY FOR ZELDA-LIKE FANS!! For real, I haven't played such a vibrant, charming game of this style since Minish Cap; if not Blossom Tales. I still just a couple hours in and haven't finished yet, but I'm darn certain I wont be regretting this purchase! Great work, very…
Should You Play Under the Island?
Under the Island holds overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam with a 97% positive rating, one of the most celebrated games in its genre on Steam. It attracts 338 players at its recent 24-hour peak, showing strong player retention for a Action RPG title. The combination of strong developer support and passionate community has kept it highly rated over time.
Under the Island is mid-range priced at $16.99 on Steam, developed by Slime King Games. RPG fans who enjoy deep character progression, rich lore, and meaningful choices will find plenty to love. If story-driven gameplay and world-building appeal to you, Under the Island is a strong pick.
Should You Play Under the Island?
Under the Island holds overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam with a 97% positive rating, one of the most celebrated games in its genre on Steam. It attracts 338 players at its recent 24-hour peak, showing strong player retention for a game title. The combination of strong developer support and passionate community has kept it highly rated over time.
Under the Island is mid-range priced at $16.99 on Steam, developed by Slime King Games. Players who enjoy the game genre and want something currently trending on Steam will find Under the Island worth checking out.
Is Under the Island Worth Playing in 2026?
Is Under the Island worth playing?
Yes, especially if you love 90s-era action RPGs like Secret of Mana or A Link to the Past. Under the Island nails the nostalgic look and feel while adding modern polish. At $16.99, it's fair value for a well-crafted indie adventure with 8–12 hours of content.
How long is Under the Island?
Under the Island is a medium-length adventure, typically taking 8–12 hours to complete. The story follows Nia as she races to save her home, exploring multiple biomes and facing off against a variety of monsters along the way.
Who developed Under the Island?
Under the Island was developed by Slime King Games, a German indie studio, and published by Top Hat Studios and Doyoyo Games. It's their breakout title, built on years of development and a successful demo campaign.
What genre is Under the Island?
Under the Island is a 2D action-adventure RPG with puzzle-solving elements. Think top-down exploration, real-time combat, and a vibrant pixel-art world teeming with monsters and secrets — very much in the tradition of classic SNES-era action RPGs.
Is it free to play?
No, Under the Island costs $16.99 on Steam. It is not a free-to-play game, though Steam sales occasionally offer discounts.
How many people play Under the Island?
Under the Island has reached 338 players at its 24-hour peak. Player counts vary with updates and sales — check SteamDB for live data.