In Rusty Sword: Vanguard Island, players navigate a small island overworld and a large non-linear dungeon, battling various monsters while searching for the hidden Vanguard Relic. The game features simple, intuitive controls that can be used via touch screen or a connected controller, enhancing accessibility for players.

The storyline revolves around the quest to uncover the secrets of the Vanguard Relic, with players exploring diverse environments and encountering numerous challenges along the way.

Rusty Sword: Vanguard Island stands out with its non-linear adventure structure, allowing multiple paths to explore, and its nostalgic graphics and soundtrack that evoke the charm of classic gaming. Additionally, it offers a cooperative multiplayer mode, enriching the single-player experience.