Eagle Island

Eagle Island is a colorful 2D platform game that uses several ideas inspired by the art of falconry (such as the hero being accompanied by a trained owl) and the mechanics of the roguelike and metroidvania. The production allows players to explore colorful locations full of traps and enemies. The game was developed by Pixelnicks as their debut project and published by Screenwave Media.

Plot

In Eagle Island players assume the role of a boy named Quill, accompanied by a faithful friend - a trained owl named Koji. The hero embarks on a journey to save his younger brother Ichiro. This will require to challenge the mighty deity known as the Guardian Eagle Armaura.

Mechanics

In Eagle Island we observe the action from the side perspective. One's task is to traverse large size maps (there are several different variants prepared, and additionally many places are randomly generated), avoid traps, and eliminate opponents. The game was built in a style characteristic of the metroidvania genre - players explore connected locations, which together form one world.

In combat, players use mainly Koji's skills. It's a bit like shooting or throwing a boomerang - he sends the bird in one of eight different directions and then watches it attack (if it hits several enemies simultaneously, players get extra rewards). The key moment is the animal returns: the player has to be careful, because Quill is more exposed to the attack. Koji can also be hurt. Additionally, from time to time players have to face a powerful boss, whose defeat requires cleverness, perseverance, and appropriate tactics.

As the game progresses, players gradually develop their hero and his owl (there are several dozens of different upgrades to choose from). One can also find special, magical feathers, thanks to which the bird acquires completely new skills. This opens up additional possibilities and places for the player.

Game modes

Eagle Island features a single player mode only. The game revolves around the story campaign, but there are also two alternative modes available - Rogue Mode (players go through one of several maps, and failure ends the game) and Weekly Speedrun (every week a new map appears - upon completing it players get points, and the online table presents one's results in comparison with other players').

Technical aspects

Eagle Island has pleasing to one's eye, two-dimensional pixel art design. The visuals are very colorful and the locations are clearly different. There is also nothing to reproach the models of characters and monsters and the lighting effects that accompany the attacks of the main character.

Last updated on 31 May 2021