Item: ISOLAND4: The Anchor of Memory
Rating: 91
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

91/100

ISOLAND4: The Anchor of Memory is a surreal masterpiece. If you're a fan of the previous games, you know exactly what to expect: bizarre logic, hauntingly beautiful hand-drawn art, and an atmosphere that feels like a half-remembered dream. This installment feels more personal and reflective, focusing heavily on characters—both new and old—who inhabit this strange world. The dialogues are filled with philosophical musings and song lyrics that actually make you stop and think.

The puzzles are as cryptic as ever. You won't find traditional 'key fits in lock' puzzles here; instead, you’ll be looking at the pattern of street signs in a forest or trying to interpret the ramblings of a man in a turban to find a hidden object. It's point-and-click adventure gaming at its most 'artsy.' While it doesn't have an in-game hint system (which can lead to some frustration), the satisfaction of finally understanding a clue is immense. It's a short but incredibly dense experience that sticks with you long after the credits roll.

Reviewed on: Tue Jun 25 2024

Dinsun Review

The Isoland series has always been an odd duck. It’s got that indie charm that I usually find pretentious, but I have to admit, there’s a solid mechanical foundation here. Isoland4 doesn't reinvent the wheel; it’s a standard point-and-click adventure with the same abstract logic that has defined the series. If you like puzzles that make you scratch your head and mutter about 'artistic license,' you'll find plenty to like here.

However, the narrative is getting a bit thin. The 'cryptic mystery' vibe is starting to feel like an excuse for not having a cohesive story. The hand-drawn art is still the standout feature, providing a mood that most mobile games lack. It’s a short experience, and while the puzzles are mostly fair, a few rely on that 'moon logic' I can't stand. It's a decent way to spend an afternoon, but don't expect it to stay with you once the credits roll. It lacks the impact of the first game.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Unique and atmospheric art style
Clever, multi-layered puzzles
Consistent tone and world-building

Short play time for the price
Obscure puzzle logic in the late game
Narrative feels repetitive for series veterans

Technical Report

Performance: Perfectly optimized for touch; no bugs encountered.

Accessibility:

Subtitles
Hint System

Audience Fit

Buy if: You are a fan of CottonGame's previous work or enjoy surreal point-and-click adventures.

Skip if: You prefer linear stories and puzzles with grounded, real-world logic.

Similar Games:

Machinarium
The Room
Rusty Lake Paradise

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun
Hardware: iPhone 15 Pro
Playtime: 5 hours
Status: Finished Story

The Game

Available on: Mac, iPhone, iPad

1671523662

Free4+★4.9 49 reviews

Author : COTTONGAME Network Technology Co., Ltd.

Pubish Date : Thu Dec 21 2023

Last Update Date : Tue Jan 14 2025

Support Languages : English, Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese

Genres :

Version 1.0.19Tue Jan 14 2025

Fixed an issue with the game's supported languages on the App Store. They now correctly match the languages available in-game.
Which part of the Isoland series does 'ISOLAND4: The Anchor of Memory' belong to? Is it a continuation of the story from 'ISOLAND 3: Dust of thIsoland is it a new chapter? Can it really explain the past and present of the Isoland?
You won’t know until you’ve played it yourself.
Wait, even after playing it, you may still not know for sure. :)
Since the beginning of the journey in Isolandd, things have been constantly changing, both in and out of the game.
'ISOLAND 4' continues to pay tribute to literature, painting, and music, with more complex maps and puzzles. But richer Easter eggs, more mystical dialogues, and more abundant emotions are the foundation of all these.
This game emphasizes the roles of the characters and includes some old game characters as well as new ones, and they will help you once again dig into the secrets of the island, while also exploring their own life secrets.
Do not overlook any details and do not miss any dialogue.
Those seemingly useless things may give players more thoughts on life and destiny.
Requires iOS 16.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
It's free to start, with an iap to unlock the full game.
Which part of the Isoland series does 'ISOLAND4: The Anchor of Memory' belong to? Is it a continuation of the story from 'ISOLAND 3: Dust of thIsoland is it a new chapter? Can it really explain the past and present of the Isoland?
You won’t know until you’ve played it yourself.
Wait, even after playing it, you may still not know for sure. :)
Since the beginning of the journey in Isolandd, things have been constantly changing, both in and out of the game.
'ISOLAND 4' continues to pay tribute to literature, painting, and music, with more complex maps and puzzles. But richer Easter eggs, more mystical dialogues, and more abundant emotions are the foundation of all these.
This game emphasizes the roles of the characters and includes some old game characters as well as new ones, and they will help you once again dig into the secrets of the island, while also exploring their own life secrets.
Do not overlook any details and do not miss any dialogue.
Those seemingly useless things may give players more thoughts on life and destiny.

Ratings & Reviews

4.9 out of 5 with 49 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 4+

ISOLAND4: The Anchor of Memory is the latest installment in the acclaimed Lost Island series. This point-and-click adventure continues to pay homage to art, literature, and music, offering players more intricate maps and surreal puzzles than ever before. Set in a world of heavy black lines and beautifully painted textures, players explore odd rooms—from a field of street signs to a science lab—to unravel the island's past. Featuring enigmatic dialogues, hidden Easter eggs, and a cast of characters contemplating the nature of life, ISOLAND4 is a deeply emotive and atmospheric experience.

Features

Unique hand-drawn, heavy-line art style

Surreal, atmospheric point-and-click gameplay

Deep narrative with philosophical and musical references

Intricate puzzles based on logic, pattern, and memory

A cast of both familiar and new enigmatic characters

Tips

Listen Closely

Dialogue in ISOLAND4 is rarely just flavor text. Characters often hide clues to puzzles within their philosophical musings or song lyrics.

Pattern Recognition

Many solutions are hidden in the background art. Look for numbers, symbols, or arrangements of objects in one scene that might correspond to a lock in another.

Promotion Videos

＂ISOLAND4 : THE ANCHOR OF MEMORY＂release goes live - YouTube

Gameplays

Exploration and Discovery

Travel between disconnected, surreal landscapes like a crashed spaceship or a forest filled with signs to find items requested by the island's inhabitants.

Logic and Memory Puzzles

Solve a variety of challenges, including switch sequences, combination locks, and inventory puzzles that require unconventional thinking.