Idle Island is a semi-idle game that features action and adventure. While enjoying a day sailing and visiting islands, a stickman and a princess run into an evil giant. When the giant kidnaps the princess, the stickman finds himself in need of help. The player's job is to direct the stickman's actions.
The game doesn't provide the player with a clear path to the location of the princess. Instead, they must help the stickman gather and sell resources to acquire enough gold to pay to rebuild a bridge between the initial island and the first of several islands where the giant might have a lair. They must also direct the stickman to fight the giant's soldiers.
The semi-idle aspect of Idle Island relates to gathering resources. Although the stickman must chop trees and mine for metal, the player eventually hires workers to continue in the stickman's place while he explores the next island and faces off against soldiers.
The player must also direct the stickman to continue gathering resources on new islands, including additional wood and metal, other plants and gemstones. If the player does well, they receive access to a dog that increases enemy damage for up to two minutes. That said, they must watch an advertisement to receive the dog's help.
