Interlocked: Puzzle Islands [REVIEW] – Blocks, Birds, and Brain-Teasers 

Sometimes, you just want to put on a headset and chill out, because come on, not EVERY VR gaming session needs to be a sweaty, high-stakes shootout, right? That is exactly where Interlocked: Puzzle Islands finds its groove. Originally launching as a browser and mobile title, the game has been given a full VR upgrade for the Meta Quest, offering a beautifully relaxed escape that tests your brain rather than your reflexes. 

Check out some screenshots down below: 

The premise of Interlocked: Puzzle Islands is very straightforward, with players presented with a series of complex, interlocking 3D wooden blocks, with the only goal being to take them apart. You need to inspect the shape, figure out which pieces can slide or twist, and carefully dismantle the whole thing piece by piece… sounds straightforward enough, right? Well, believe me, some of these puzzles can be deceptively complex, and when you hit the later levels, you’ll REALLY be left scratching your head. There are over thirty of these puzzles to crack in total, and with some additional challenge sets fleshing things out, there’s plenty on offer to keep pushing your skills. 

Interlocked: Puzzle Islands feels like one of those games that is simply perfect for VR. You can physically lean in to inspect the gaps, grabbing and rotating the structures just like you would a physical object in front of you, making it a lot easier to spot those pieces that need to be moved next. Finally finding the right piece to move and watching the rest of the puzzle suddenly loosen up provides a fantastic sense of achievement, and it’s one of the things that kept me hooked in for a constant array of declarations of ‘just one more level’ when playing. 

What really makes the game feel special is its atmosphere. There are absolutely no timers or fail states breathing down your neck, with Interlocked: Puzzle Islands a completely low-pressure environment designed to help you unwind… you know… if solving deceptively complex puzzles is your idea of relaxing. You solve these brain-teasers across various floating islands featuring colourful scenery, changing weather, and shifting seasons, all backed by a genuinely soothing soundtrack. You are also joined by a cute little bird that hatches early on and grows as you progress. Having a little sweet friend flying around brings a lovely bit of warmth to the experience, and whilst you don’t get to do much with it, it still feels like you’ve made a new little friend by the time you’ve finished playing. 

Check out some screenshots down below: 

Whilst I enjoyed my time with Interlocked: Puzzle Islands, I’d be lying if I said it was completely flawless. While the difficulty curve starts off nicely, the later stages become incredibly intricate, and because the game relies heavily on trial and error and offers very little guidance, getting stuck can be a bit tedious. Wiggling the same wooden blocks over and over against whilst hoping something gives might test the patience of less methodical players, especially since the core gameplay loop doesn’t change much, making it feel repetitive if you play for too long in one sitting. It’s not a deal-breaker, but I’d be lying if I said there weren’t a few moments during my time playing where my patience was tested… 

Developer: PuzzleDev 
Publisher: Armor Games Studios 
Platform(s): Meta Quest 3 (Reviewed), Meta Quest 2 
Website: https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/interlocked-puzzle-islands/7115743118544777/