Thekku Island

Proud to be a malayali and to play this game Wish only success to the team behind the game and good luck for their future endeavors

I bought Thekku Island to support our Kerala-based developers, and it’s great to see a project like this coming from coconad. The atmosphere is engaging and the music is solid; it even got me with two genuinely spine-chilling scenes that show the team has a real knack for building tension. I’m sharing this feedback because I want to see this team succeed and level up. However, there are several areas that need work. Many game basics are missing, the controller support isn't optimized, and I spent way too much time wandering, whether that's a skill issue on my part or just a lack of the hints I’m used to, the game could definitely guide the player better. The graphics are inconsistent, sometimes feeling a decade old, and the main ghost model is unfortunately quite weak. Even on an RTX 3090 at 4K Ultra, I struggled to hit 60FPS, which points to some heavy optimization needs. Lastly, the story is very short—roughly 30 minutes if you know the path—and the writing in the letters feels a bit cringy and could use a rewrite to match the mood. Keep at it, devs; you’ve got the vibe right, now just focus on the polish!

I enjoyed the game, the graphics were alright, for a small indie team they did well. The character model for both the main character and anything else though needs work. The game also is quite short but tbh for the price I'm not complaining about it too much. I don't play many horror games so it could just be me but it can be confusing at times since there are no hints provided at all, its just the area and you walking around like a headless chicken at some point. The jump scares, though few, were quite good, but could be better if character models were better. One thing that I found quite annoying was the inability to save the game from the pause menu, I found myself having to go through the same section twice because I hadn't realised that the game only has the autosave function, which would be ok if they were frequent.

Really awesome game, hope it gets a part 2 with more horror aspect, like the ghost trying to constantly chase you for example.

As a Malayali, I played the game and liked its atmosphere, music, and jumpscares. But I want to point out a few flaws: the game needs a bit more optimization, and the fact that I can’t return to gameplay from the menu by pressing Esc made it a little annoying. Other than that, everything is looking good, and I am excited for more games like this to come out. Good luck to the developers!

It could be a great game, but the only problems I faced is its unoptimised, which can be expected from a short team. But it also looks like the gamedevs let a lot of problems loose because of the graphics, as it feels like another generic unreal engine game. This game does not require high fidelity graphics, it requires fluid fps. Although, I have to comment on the 2d art used at the intro, it was amazing and unique. Please improve on your art direction during the gameplay tho, as having one's own style in lower fidelity graphics is better than just high fidelity graphics. As for the movements, I understand that you were focusing on slow movements, but slower movements require more immersion, for example walking felt like I was on a slow moving roller skates. Something feels off in movements. Now, another issue is picking up things, sometimes you have to put the cursor in such a way or a specific place on the object just to pick it up, its annoying. Anyway, good luck on your future games. This one wasn't for me, but I'll keep an eye on your future projects.

Thekku Island, developed and published by Ales Devs Games, is a slow-paced first-person horror experience that builds its identity around atmosphere, cultural specificity, and a lingering sense of unease rather than traditional gameplay complexity. Set on a remote island inspired by 1980s Kerala, it places players in a deeply personal narrative centered on loss, mystery, and the unsettling presence of something beyond explanation. The story unfolds through exploration rather than direct exposition. Players take on the role of a man searching for his missing wife, gradually uncovering fragments of what happened by interacting with the environment and observing subtle details scattered throughout the setting. Instead of delivering a clearly defined narrative path, the game leans into ambiguity, allowing players to interpret events based on what they discover. This approach enhances immersion and aligns well with its psychological horror tone, though it can also leave certain aspects of the story feeling incomplete or underexplored. Gameplay is centered on movement through confined spaces and light interaction with objects. Players navigate an abandoned house and its surroundings, solving simple puzzles and triggering scripted moments that advance the experience. The mechanics are intentionally minimal, keeping the focus on atmosphere rather than challenge. This design choice works well in maintaining tension, as players are encouraged to absorb their surroundings rather than rush through objectives. However, the lack of mechanical depth means that the gameplay loop remains largely unchanged from beginning to end, which may limit long-term engagement. Where Thekku Island truly stands out is in its atmosphere and sense of place. The setting is richly influenced by regional culture, incorporating architectural details, language, and environmental storytelling that give the island a distinct identity. This cultural grounding adds authenticity and sets it apart from more generic horror environments. The use of lighting and sound design plays a crucial role in reinforcing this atmosphere, with subtle audio cues, distant noises, and shifting shadows creating a constant sense of tension. The game relies more on anticipation and mood than on frequent jump scares, making its moments of shock more effective when they do occur. Despite its strengths, the game does struggle with pacing and interactivity. Movement can feel slow and restrictive at times, which may disrupt immersion rather than enhance it. The puzzles, while functional, do not evolve significantly, leading to a sense of repetition as the experience progresses. Additionally, the relatively short playtime limits the depth of both its narrative and mechanics, leaving some ideas feeling underdeveloped. Certain story elements are introduced without being fully explored, which can make the overall experience feel more like a glimpse into a larger concept than a fully realized journey. Visually, the game adopts a grounded and realistic style that complements its setting. The environments are detailed enough to feel believable, and the overall presentation supports the tone effectively. While it does not push technical boundaries, it succeeds in creating a cohesive and immersive world. The audio design remains one of its strongest aspects, with a carefully crafted soundscape that enhances both tension and emotional impact throughout the experience. Ultimately, Thekku Island is a focused and atmospheric horror title that excels in creating a distinctive mood and setting. It offers a unique perspective through its cultural influences and delivers a memorable experience for players who appreciate slow-burning psychological horror. However, its limited gameplay depth, uneven pacing, and short length prevent it from fully realizing its potential. It stands as a promising effort that highlights strong ideas, even if those ideas are not explored as deeply as they could be. Rating: 8/10

The game lacks proper controller support. I had to stop playing at one point because some keys were not mapped. The GI is a bit aggressively dark, certain areas are basically just black screen Sometimes there are invisible walls on doors and crawl spaces that you could once easily pass

Maja aagya bhai (it was fun)

Must Play ❤❤❤