Island 359

In the VR first-person shooter ‘Island 359’, players find themselves stranded on a mysterious island teeming with dinosaurs. As a mercenary, you must survive relentless attacks while uncovering hints of a dark backstory involving clandestine experiments and an abandoned underground lab. Armed with an arsenal of weapons, players navigate lush jungles and treacherous terrain, battling prehistoric creatures in a fight for survival against overwhelming odds.

Island 359: Review

Introduction

In the burgeoning world of virtual reality, few games have managed to capture the raw, visceral thrill of survival and combat as effectively as Island 359. Developed and published by CloudGate Studio, this VR experience plunges players into a lush, dinosaur-infested jungle, where the stakes are high and the adrenaline is even higher. Released on February 26, 2018, Island 359 stands as a testament to the studio’s ambition and the potential of VR gaming. This review will delve into the game’s development history, narrative depth, gameplay mechanics, world-building, and its enduring legacy in the gaming landscape.

Development History & Context

CloudGate Studio, founded by the lead programmers of the Brookhaven Experiment demo, embarked on a mission to create a VR experience that would push the boundaries of what was possible in the medium. With a clear vision of blending dinosaurs and VR, the studio set out to develop Island 359, a game that would leverage the immersive capabilities of VR to deliver a unique and thrilling experience.

The technological constraints of the era, particularly the early days of VR with the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, presented significant challenges. However, CloudGate Studio’s use of the Unreal Engine 4 allowed them to create a visually stunning and expansive world. The game’s development was marked by a commitment to iterative improvement, with the studio continuously updating and refining the game based on player feedback and technological advancements.

At the time of its release, the VR gaming landscape was still in its infancy. Games like Brookhaven Experiment and Job Simulator had laid the groundwork, but Island 359 aimed to elevate the genre with its ambitious scope and attention to detail. The studio’s decision to focus on a survival and combat experience set it apart from other VR titles, which often leaned more towards puzzle-solving or casual gameplay.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Island 359 presents a narrative that is both intriguing and enigmatic. Players are dropped onto a remote jungle island, tasked with hunting dinosaurs and uncovering the mysteries of the island’s past. The game’s narrative is woven into the environment through survivor stories and environmental storytelling, rather than relying on traditional cutscenes or dialogue.

The plot revolves around a mercenary hired to eliminate the dinosaurs that have mysteriously appeared on the island. The game’s opening sequence, where players step off a helicopter into the sweltering jungle, sets the tone for the adventure ahead. The island itself is a character, filled with hidden secrets and dangers that players must navigate.

The characters in Island 359 are largely silent, with the player’s mercenary serving as the primary protagonist. The dinosaurs, however, are a diverse and formidable cast of antagonists, each with their own behaviors and threats. The dialogue is minimal, but the game’s use of environmental storytelling and survivor notes adds depth to the narrative.

Thematically, Island 359 explores the survival of the fittest and the primal struggle for existence. The game’s focus on hunting and survival taps into the primal instincts of its players, creating a visceral and immersive experience. The island itself serves as a metaphor for the unknown and the dangerous, a place where players must rely on their wits and skills to survive.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Island 359 offers a variety of gameplay modes, each designed to provide a unique experience within the game’s world. The Survival Mode, introduced in the full release, is the most ambitious and challenging, requiring players to manage resources, craft items, and fight for their lives against the island’s dinosaur inhabitants.

The core gameplay loop revolves around exploration, combat, and survival. Players must scavenge for weapons, upgrades, food, and other items to survive the increasingly dangerous island. The game’s combat system is intuitive and satisfying, with a variety of weapons and tools at the player’s disposal. The character progression system allows players to upgrade their weapons and stats, adding depth to the gameplay.

The UI is minimalistic and unobtrusive, with a smart holographic watch providing essential information without breaking immersion. The game’s crafting system is robust, with over 30 unique item blueprints to discover and experiment with. The radio towers scattered across the island provide better world maps, aiding in navigation.

The game’s innovative systems include the ability to see your entire body in VR, thanks to the Virtual Self feature. This adds a layer of immersion and realism to the gameplay. The accessibility modes, such as Reach Assist and Seated Mode, ensure that the game is accessible to a wide range of players.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Island 359‘s world-building is one of its standout features. The game’s island is a sprawling, six-square-mile jungle filled with diverse biomes and hidden secrets. The setting is lush and immersive, with a sense of scale and depth that is rarely seen in VR games. The atmosphere is tense and thrilling, with the ever-present danger of dinosaur encounters keeping players on edge.

The visual direction is stunning, with the Unreal Engine 4 powering the game’s graphics. The island is beautifully rendered, with detailed textures and dynamic lighting. The sound design is equally impressive, with realistic dinosaur sounds and environmental audio creating an immersive aural experience. The music is minimalistic, allowing the sounds of the jungle to take center stage.

The game’s art direction is a blend of realism and fantasy, with the dinosaurs and environment designed to be both believable and awe-inspiring. The animations are fluid and realistic, adding to the game’s immersion. The level design is varied and challenging, with a mix of open areas and confined spaces that keep players engaged and on their toes.

Reception & Legacy

Island 359 received a mostly positive reception upon its release, with critics and players alike praising its ambitious scope and immersive gameplay. The game’s critical reception was generally favorable, with reviews highlighting its visuals, sound design, and gameplay mechanics. The game’s commercial reception was also strong, with a dedicated player base that continues to enjoy and support the game.

The game’s legacy is marked by its influence on subsequent VR games and the industry as a whole. Island 359’s commitment to iterative improvement and player feedback set a standard for VR development, inspiring other studios to push the boundaries of what was possible in the medium. The game’s focus on survival and combat in a VR setting paved the way for other titles in the genre, and its use of environmental storytelling and survivor notes has become a staple of the survival genre.

Conclusion

Island 359 is a landmark title in the world of VR gaming, a game that pushed the boundaries of what was possible in the medium and set a new standard for immersive and thrilling experiences. Its ambitious scope, stunning visuals, and innovative gameplay mechanics make it a must-play for any VR enthusiast. The game’s legacy is secure, and its influence can be seen in the countless VR titles that have followed in its footsteps. In the annals of video game history, Island 359 stands as a testament to the power of VR and the potential of the medium to deliver unforgettable experiences.