ICEY: A 2D Action Game Where You Argue with the Narrator

Release Date: November 17, 2016 (PC/Steam) / August 8, 2017 (PS4) / October 19, 2017 (iOS) / October 25, 2017 (Android) / May 31, 2018 (Nintendo Switch) | Developer: FantaBlade Network | Publisher: X.D. Network Inc. | Platforms: PC (Steam), PS4, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android | Genre: 2D Side-Scrolling ACT + META | Price: ~$6 on Steam (all-time low around $2) | Languages: Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, Japanese, French, and Spanish; full voice acting available in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, and Japanese

There are plenty of 2D side-scrolling action games out there, but few leave you remembering a character who never even appears on screen. ICEY doesn’t make its protagonist the star — it makes the narrator the one you remember.

Released in 2016 by Shanghai-based FantaBlade Network and published by X.D. Network Inc., this Chinese indie title earned widespread praise across Steam, PS4, Switch, and mobile platforms thanks to its “Meta” elements and fluid combat system. As of August 2026, it holds around a 91% positive rating among Simplified Chinese reviews on Steam. It was also nominated for Best Chinese Game at The Game Awards 2017.

Its real hook isn’t fighting monsters — it’s arguing with the narrator.

What Is META? It’s a Game That Plays with You

ICEY defines itself as a “2D side-scrolling ACT + META game.” The term “META” sounds abstract, but in plain English: the game knows you’re playing it, and it talks to you.

In ICEY, this “META” element takes the form of a chatty narrator. He guides you forward and tells you what to do. But here’s the catch — you can completely ignore him. He tells you to go right, you go left. He tells you to fight the boss, you run off to explore a corner. He points you down the main path, you turn around and head the other way — and the narrator starts mocking you.

One player put it perfectly: “Teasing the narrator is genuinely fun.” This isn’t a cold, robotic navigation voice — it’s a character with personality. He gets annoyed, frustrated, sarcastic, and even desperate.

It’s this design that transforms ICEY from a traditional 2D side-scrolling action game into an interactive experience between “player and game.”

Combat: Fluid 2D Action

Setting the narrator aside for a moment, ICEY‘s combat system holds its own.

The game uses a standard side-scrolling action framework — simple to pick up, but with a high skill ceiling: light attacks, heavy attacks, dash, dodge, aerial combos. You can chain light and heavy attacks together, use well-timed dashes and parries to counter attacks, and juggle enemies in the air for extended combos.

Players have praised its combat as “smooth and varied, with flashy special effects — the execution animations in particular look spectacular.” Some players have even dubbed it “2D Devil May Cry” — flashy moves, satisfying combos, and solid hit feedback.

That said, the early game is fairly punishing — enemies and bosses have short attack wind-ups, leaving you little time to react. The difficulty evens out later, but combat can feel repetitive, and the variety of weapons and moves isn’t particularly deep.

Story: Simple on the Surface, Hidden in the Details

ICEY‘s story is very “META.” If you just follow the narrator’s directions from start to finish, you’ll walk away thinking the game barely has a plot. Many players finish it and say, “I have no idea what that was about.”

But the real story is hidden in the achievement system and secrets. The game is packed with hidden levels and Easter eggs that require you to deliberately disobey the narrator. When you complete certain achievements or trigger secret endings, fragments of lore appear on screen. The narrative touches on elements of Cthulhu mythology, the King in Yellow, reincarnation, and more — all of which need to be pieced together through exploration.

One player said after unlocking the true ending: “I only found the real ending after getting all the trophies.” The game features multiple endings, and you’ll need to explore beyond the main path to reach the true ending. In short: follow the narrator, and you’ll only see the surface; defy the narrator, and you’ll uncover the truth.

Issues Worth Noting

Relatively short length. A standard playthrough isn’t long — the real playtime comes from hidden content, achievements, and exploring for the true ending.

Minimal guidance for hidden content. If you don’t actively explore or deliberately defy the narrator, you’ll likely miss a huge chunk of the game’s secrets and true ending. Some players have called the guidance “terrible.” While this can be frustrating for a standard playthrough, the game is intentionally designed to reward players who disobey the narrator and explore on their own.

Mixed opinions on combat feel. Some players find the combat “floaty with unclear hit detection,” while others praise it — especially the screen-clearing special attacks. Best to judge for yourself.

Limited enemy variety. Both regular enemies and bosses are relatively few in number, leading to some repetition in later stages.

Who Is ICEY For?

Recommended for:

• Fans of “Meta” games like The Stanley Parable
• Players who enjoy fluid 2D action combat
• Those who love exploring for secrets and Easter eggs
• Players interested in Chinese indie games
• Anyone looking for a game where you can mess with the narrator

Not recommended for:

• Players seeking a long, content-rich experience
• Those who dislike cryptic, puzzle-like narratives
• Players with zero tolerance for minimal guidance
• Hardcore action players seeking deep, complex combat systems

Is It Worth Playing?

Around $6 on Steam (all-time low around $2), a narrator who argues with you, a stylish 2D combat system, and a cryptic story you’ll have to piece together yourself.

ICEY isn’t a perfect game — it’s short, enemy variety is limited, guidance for hidden content is sparse, and the story asks you to do some of the heavy lifting. But it carved its own path with its “META” approach, turning a chatty narrator into the game’s most memorable “character.” Among Chinese indie games, it’s still a title worth remembering.

If you enjoyed the “game plays with you” experience of The Stanley Parable, or if you’re just looking for a combat-focused game with a narrator you can mess with, ICEY is worth the price — and even more so when it goes on sale.

But remember: don’t listen to the narrator. Everything he says is a lie.

Copyright Notice: All game screenshots, character images, and related materials referenced in this article are the property of FantaBlade Network and X.D. Network Inc., and are used for game introduction, review, and informational display purposes.