Rocco’s Island: Ring to End the Pain
angst-ridden teenager’s innocent mistake becomes a race against time that could change the course of history. Against the backdrop of a mysterious island inhabited by strange characters, our protagonist must undo her mistake to save everyone.
You wake up on an unfamiliar island that is fantastical as it is unsettling, only to realize that you are now responsible for the lives of every one of its denizens. The denizens themselves vary in temperament as much as their looks, and your only hope of saving them is to interact at your own risk!
The journey is as much about one’s own past and self-discovery as it is about handling the present. With more knowledge gained the stakes are raised higher and the depths you must explore increases in both breadth and complexity.
Rocco’s Island is best enjoyed with a mouse and a good pair of headphones.
Steam User 25
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This is a very unusual game in every aspect. A mix of adventure quest, match 3 puzzles, enchanting atmosphere of a quirky little world painted in bright colors. The experiment is daring, I express my respect to the creators for their courage. I can even quite say that I fell in love with this game, having spent 17 hours in it in a few days; therefore, noting its excellent qualities, I physically cannot close my eyes to some of the big problems that are inherent in game action. And they are really big, and to remain silent about them is to be dishonest in relation to this wonderful game. The creators managed to create a unique seamless world in which everything interacts very organically with each other, and you do not feel like a stranger here.
The main character finds herself on a strange island, almost immediately launching the doomsday mechanism on it, which now needs to be stopped somehow. One of the core mechanics of the game is that your time is limited to a certain number of tolls of the apocalyptic bell. This time does not physically operate in the literal context of the timer, but decreases only with each failed match 3 puzzle, of which there are many. In addition to these puzzles, there are a large number of other activities, but they are the main obstacle to saving the world. I really liked this concept of limited time, it really encourages you to be better, to try to complete the puzzles as efficiently as possible. Then, for some reason, the mechanics of the revival of already completed puzzles appears. Is this an attempt to turn the game into a roguelike, I don't know… The bottom line is that if you fail a puzzle, then not only are the limited strikes of the bell taken away from you, but the match 3 puzzle you have already passed is reborn behind you, blocking your way back. If you fail 2 times, 2 puzzles will respawn, and so on. The routes here are quite branched, so you have to go back quite often, so you have very strange emotions. You don't understand this. The game is already punishing you for failures by taking away the bells, so what's the point of doubling that up by bringing back what you've already beaten, often at the cost of very serious effort.
The second thing is match 3 timer puzzles, which are only found in battles with the main bosses. Again, I have nothing against the timer; I have nothing against the obvious serious complexity of these puzzles, especially in comparison with the riddles on the levels. But, holy guacamole, why does the timer work the way it does here. I can only say one thing - during the animations of various effects, the timer does not stop. He. Not. Stops. During these animations you cannot do anything, each of them lasts at least 5 seconds (even though you are given 40-60 seconds to complete the mission), and if one animation detonates another, and then the third, then you are finished. I could be wrong, but isn't the essence of the entire match 3 genre something like "OH GOD, I DID THIS COMBO THAT RIPED THE MILKY WAY IN HALF!". If you do this combo in timed puzzles, then you lost. If the revival of puzzles seems to me to be something root for the creators, then this trouble with the timer can and should be fixed.
For me, this game has already become one of the best games of spring 2022, which is probably why I am so sensitive to its problems; I care and want it to get even closer to the ideal. This is a wonderful creative impulse that needs to be appreciated and praised, the love of the creators for their child is felt in every second. I really want more people to know about this hidden gem, so a definite recommendation from me.
Steam User 13
I've seen hundreds of 3 match puzzle games so far, many of which are mostly similar and plain.
but this one is quite different from those I'vvveeeee played.
I was wondering how 3 match puzzle game fits into the story based adventure.
The 3 match game itself, it wasn't like that challenging, or very sophisticated,
but it's very well balanced, which made me want to play again and again without having to get super bored and tired.
And it is well connected with the main adventure game (using items I got from adventure game play/ Gates closed I already opened when i failed)-this was an obviously new experience.
and I can sense the trace of efforts put into matching effects, which were so marvelous.
Another thing is characters. they were just drawing me to the top of the icy mountain without a rest.
I kept walking wondering what kind of interesting creatures would appear next.
it was quite an exotic experience.
but there are a couple of things i am not satisfied with about this game.
1. I sometimes found myself lost in the middle of nowhere on the map, which annoyed me a lot.
2. in some areas, mouse control wasn't working properly.
(these two dragged my time unnecessarily during the play).
3. a few bugs in movement of the characters
4. the first experience was a little bit boring
When next updated (hopefully very sooooon), these problems would be completely solved.
if you want another kind of 3 match puzzle game, this one is worth playing.
Steam User 13
On 0.9,0, Rocco's Island has arrived at new dimension.
Characters goes much more attractive, Story goes more dramatic, and I got extraordinary ending (what you must see) on this version!
Play this game, not to waste your life.
--- previous review ---
In short: I highly recommend this game for both puzzle lover and adventure lover.
Actually I am match-3-holic, but in mobile game industry there are only boring games which makes me play annoying puzzle stage again and again without any motivation. But this game is different. There are adventure, many attractive characters, lovely (but still annoying, that's okay ;)) puzzles, and so on! Why other game developers did not make the game like this?
This can be the reason because the game is in early access period, but I slightly feel this game is not complete yet. but I believe that developers will do hard for this, and I cannot wait adventure toward blocked area!
Steam User 10
Adorable adventure/ puzzle game.
The art and story are unique and delightful.
It completely captured my attention for hours.
The game is simple. Follow the road, solve puzzles , meet character and dig up the story.
The puzzles are well done. (Sometimes it’s hard..but ok)
Also music was mesmerizing and enthralling.
I love it.
Recommended.
Steam User 4
beautiful graphics
intriguing story
but the best of all are the sound tracks!
let me play some more
Steam User 2
The world and characters are very charming. I would recommend putting the puzzles to normal or easy first time through so you can experience the story more easily (they are tile puzzles you encounter on the paths). So far I've also seen riddles which are always fun.
Steam User 1
The art, lore and protagonist are adorable in my opinion, though the i believe the puzzles didn't bring anything new to the table, and the repetitive sound of the characters in their dialogue is really annoying especially that i don't read quickly , i played the game for the protagonists art but the game play left a lot to be desired , keep in mind that i haven't completed the game yet, i wish the best for the developers and i absolutely believe they have the potential. <3