The Island Castaway: Lost World Review

The Castaway series of games have been quite good on the iPad, with the previous two instalments proving quite fun if expensive. Given that $6.99 felt a little pricey for what they had to offer, the arrival of a free-to-play version is, for once, a wise move. The Island Castaway: Lost World is that game and it's a fine example of what the series has to offer.

As before, the game is essentially a series of fetch quests. Players control the leader of a bunch of castaways as they attempt to gather up reliable food sources as well as find a better way to live. Fortunately the island is well stocked with bits and pieces to aid one's life, but it'll still take plenty of work to get there; eventually building up a supply of different farms.

It's a fairly laid back affair, much like the previous two games, with little peril to worry about. Being free-to-play, there are timers scattered around depending on the tasks involved, as well as an energy system, but they're actually quite well placed. It makes logical sense that it takes time to collect sufficient crabs from the farm, for instance, so The Island Castaway: Lost World doesn't feel too obtrusive in this respect. I found during my sessions that there was often something to do in the meantime anyhow. The only real issue is being forced to spend premium gems on unlocking extra inventory slots, which felt near essential as the game progressed.

The Island Castaway: Lost World is about as casual as they come. There's plenty to do but that leisurely pace continues from start to finish. It makes a pleasant change from more frantic fare but for that very reason it's not going to be universally enjoyed. Circumventing pricing issues that clouded the other two games, this is one freemium title that suits the genre.