Hayaku! Island of Darkness

About Hayaku! Island of Darkness

Hayaku! Island of Darkness is a retro-styled metroidvania from Pizia Studios, released December 31 2026 for PC. As Hayaki a soldier in the Reikan organization you explore a dangerous island teeming with unpredictable creatures to uncover why they’ve mutated and to find his missing brother. The game mixes platforming and action with exploration-driven progression. Set in a mysterious tropical environment it leans into 16-bit visuals and a moody atmosphere. With a focus on backtracking and ability acquisition it feels like a spiritual successor to classic 2D adventures but with modern combat mechanics. Single-player only this title targets fans of nonlinear exploration and personal stories.

Gameplay

You spend most of your time navigating dense jungles crumbling ruins and treacherous cliffs while battling creatures that shift in behavior as you uncover story pieces. Core gameplay revolves around acquiring new movement abilities like double jumps or wall dashes to reach previously locked areas. Combat is button-mash heavy with a light attack and chargeable heavy strike complemented by elemental weapons that change creature weaknesses. Boss fights require memorizing attack patterns and adjusting tactics mid-fight. Sessions often involve mapping out areas revisiting them later with upgraded tools and battling the same enemies with new vulnerabilities. The map is nonlinear but not overly punishing to players who miss hidden paths.

What Players Think

PlayPile community ratings average 92% with a 4.5 star score out of 5. 62% of players finish the game within 15 hours while 45% complete 100% of collectibles. The most common moods reported are determined (78%) and intrigued (65%) with 22% frustrated by environmental puzzles. Critics on Metacritic give it a 82 out of 100 praising the art style but noting repetitive side quests. One player review says “The combat is tight but the map can be confusing without a guide.” Achievements are optional and non-intrusive with 32 total averaging 8 hours to unlock all. 12% of players abandon the game after 3 hours citing early difficulty spikes.

PlayPile's Take

Hayaku! Island of Darkness works best for players who enjoy methodical progression and atmospheric exploration over fast-paced action. Priced at $39.99 it offers moderate replay value through collectibles and hidden lore. The story about familial loyalty adds emotional weight but doesn’t elevate it above similar titles. While not impressive the game executes its formula well with a satisfying mix of combat and platforming. If you’ve played and liked games like Axiom Verge or Dead Cells and don’t mind a few clunky puzzles it’s worth the price.

Storyline

Play as Hayaki, a skilled soldier and member of Reikan, an organization dedicated to investigating and stopping anomalous activities. Recently, a mysterious island has become home to dangerous and unpredictable creatures without any apparent reason, prompting Reikan to investigate the situation. As a member of this elite team, Hayaki is uniquely qualified to navigate the treacherous terrain and uncover the truth behind the island's secrets. But his motivations run deeper than just fulfilling his duty to Reikan. He's searching for his missing brother, another member of the organization who disappeared on the island under mysterious circumstances. Driven by a fierce desire to find his sibling, Hayaki will stop at nothing to unravel the island's secrets and uncover the truth behind his brother's disappearance.