Published: April 25, 2026
| Banana Bird Studios, LLC (Developer) | Whitethorn Games (Publisher) Where to play: PC/Console (Steam, Itch.io, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox) |
Explore Maravilla Island and snap endless photos of its magical plants and animals.
Beasts of Maravilla Island is very ambitious for a short and affordable indie game. Each level is jam-packed with details and pretty scenery, making it easy to tell the developers put a lot of love into the landscapes. Everywhere you look, the island is overflowing with color and life.
Marina, a young wildlife photographer, travels to Maravilla Island with her camera and journal. She documents the creatures living there, continuing her grandfather’s life work of sharing the island’s one-of-a-kind beauty with the world.
Her adventure spans three different landscapes, each with its own unique set of plant and animal species. Soft music beneath vivid animal noises, like croaking frogs, sounds soothing and helps bring the island to life. This soundtrack complements the game’s relaxing pace and its theme of finding connection with the natural world.
Gameplay mixes exploration, photography, and light puzzle-solving. You’ll spend plenty of time observing your surroundings and switching between 3rd person POV and your camera lens. Luckily, movement generally feels smooth, whether you’re turning, walking, looking around through the camera. Animals can move awkwardly sometimes, but that’s a minor issue (more of a nitpick) considering the price tag. Overall, I think the visuals are excellent for a $9.99 game, and the level of detail put in made every landscape feel lush and fully realized.
The puzzles are very simple to figure out and involve reading your journal for hints on how to communicate with or influence the local wildlife, so you can capture specific photos of them. Rather than aiming to challenge players, Beasts of Maravilla Island uses these moments to encourage you to slow down and spend more time taking in the scenery. If you’re looking for demanding puzzle solving, I wouldn’t recommend this game. But if you enjoy games that prioritize atmosphere and exploration over difficulty, give Beasts of Maravilla Island a chance.
