Sacramento, CA, May 29th, 2025
Summary
The developers at Cicada Games have revealed a compelling trailer for a “mysterious update” to Isles of Sea and Sky releasing in July 2025 during the inaugural Thinky Direct, an event showcasing some of the most highly anticipated puzzle games.
Thinky Direct:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXyyhQdlx-M
Isles of Sea and Sky “Mysterious Update” Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1XN_V2pmeY
Isles of Sea and Sky on Steam:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1233070/Isles_of_Sea_and_Sky/
Isles of Sea and Sky is on sale for 60% off during Cerebral Puzzle Showcase, as well as being part of two bundles with other fantastic puzzle games for an extra 10% off.
The “Not What You’d Expect” Bundle includes:
- Isles of Sea and Sky
- Inscryption
- LOK Digital
- Baba is You
The “Thoughtful Adventures” Bundle includes:
- Isles of Sea and Sky
- Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure
- Mind Over Magnet
- ElecHead
The trailer teases many new and exciting additions to the world of Isles of Sea and Sky. Some of the most intriguing puzzles you can find in Isles of Sea and Sky are the meta-puzzles. Most puzzles in Isles of Sea and Sky can be solved in one area, but meta-puzzles require you to traverse across many screens to find clues, puzzles, or interactions that help you solve the overlying meta-puzzle. Two are currently in the game, and two more will be added in the update.
A very unique aspect of Isles of Sea and Sky is the mechanic of awakening the elemental of each “big island.” Stone, Water, Fire, and Wind elementals each have their own distinct abilities that help solve puzzles or help the player gain access to new areas. Fans of the game will be excited to explore these mechanics further with 4 new crossover puzzles that feature 2 types of elementals each. The interactions between elementals in these new puzzles will make for a truly confounding challenge.
One of the most beloved and surprising mechanics in the game is making a return on a new small island which has been added in the update. The Time Block, or “Undo Block” as fans call it, ignores the effects of the undo function, which allows for some extremely tricky and surprising gameplay. It has shown to be a fan favorite, despite the fact that there is only one puzzle that features the block in the base game. The new update expands on this unusual block and mechanic with two new never before seen puzzles.
A new secret layer has been added to the game which will be revealed to enterprising players who can puzzle out the location of a new difficult to obtain artifact, the mysterious and ominous Serpent Circlet. Players who discover it can return to previously explored areas and reveal new hidden messages and puzzles which reward the player with Pyramidions, a new super secret and extremely challenging collectible to obtain. Only the most skilled sleuths will be able to find all of them.
Thinky Direct kicks off the Cerebral Puzzle Showcase, a Steam event celebrating the best puzzle games available on Steam, organized by Draknek & Friends. Be sure to check out Cerebral Puzzle Showcase on Steam from May 29 to June 5, 2025.
About the game:
On its surface, Isles of Sea and Sky begins as a simple block pusher, but as it quickly unfurls, deeper mechanics, lore, secrets, and layers of gameplay are revealed. Dive in and explore the mysterious depths of this beautiful, nostalgic, oceanic adventure.
Features:
- Solve open world puzzles: Complete puzzles and explore in whatever order you choose. Get stuck? Feel free to leave a puzzle and return to it later with a new perspective.
- Intuitive and accessible puzzling: Controls are simple and directional only, designed so that people of most physical abilities can enjoy.
- For puzzle novices and experts: Isles of Sea and Sky is designed for all skill levels. There’s plenty to do, collect, and challenge yourself with if you’re a puzzle expert, but the game is also approachable for puzzling beginners.
- Immerse yourself in a serene, vibrant world: This vibrant, retro, and atmospheric environment is captivating and offers a chill and ambient soundtrack for deeper gameplay immersion.
- Uncover a rich, meaningful story: Isles of Sea and Sky tells a meaningful and memorable story utilising only images and no text.
- Discover hidden secrets: The game is chock full of hidden items and areas. Collecting every star is no easy task!
About developer Cicada Games:
Like something out of a movie, Jason, Dan, and Craig were childhood best friends who grew up across the street from each other, making and playing games together for many years. Their shared childhood experiences have come to shape their style and rock-solid cohesiveness as a team. Their first game, Triga, was released in 2022 and Isles of Sea and Sky released in 2024.