I’ve fallen hard for Starsand Island, a promising anime-style life sim bringing Ghibli vibes to Xbox and PC later this year

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There’s a great deal to appreciate when it comes to the perks of leisurely gaming. It provides the liberty to step away from routine life pressures and unwind with games that let you delve into new worlds, live out compelling narratives, and nurture incredibly cute baby animals on your very own farm. The game Starsand Island, created and distributed by Seed Lab, will deliver all of this and much more when it launches as a soothing life simulator for Xbox and PC towards the end of this year.

I recently got my hands on the Steam demo for Starsand Island, and it didn’t take long before I found myself captivated by this charming island’s narrative. Similar to many life simulation games, Starsand Island begins with a tale of returning to one’s ancestral roots, where you will craft a character who is set to inherit a coastal farm.

In this game, you’ll find a modest selection of character customization features, such as hairstyles and outfits. The choices presented are rather limited at the moment, but we’re just looking at a preview. Hopefully, more clothing options will become available later in the game. However, I would give anything to have one developer remember that curly hair exists in the gaming world. Space buns aren’t considered ‘curly’.

After creating your character, you’ll encounter an old friend from childhood called Solara, who will lead you during the initial learning stages.

In simple terms, you’ll soon discover that endurance plays a crucial role in determining what you can achieve daily at your coastal homestead, teaching you efficient ways to construct and maintain its various aspects to restore it to its best condition. Furthermore, Solara assists us in mastering the use of our smartphones for essential mobile apps that simplify homestead management and exploration like never before.

Among the many appealing aspects of Starsand Island, the phone stands out as one of my favorites. It may seem unusual, but I find myself deeply engrossed in these charming and heartwarming farming simulators. In fact, this genre is my absolute favorite, yet it’s a common occurrence for games within it to overlook modern technology, often as a means to explain why players begin with less-than-optimal tools.

Having a phone handy simplifies managing quests and interactions with locals, but rest assured, it doesn’t detract from the warm atmosphere. Despite this, the game Starsand Island retains its charm through traditional tools crafted using an old family heirloom – a tree stump-like crafting table.

Starsand Island offers a distinctive gaming experience that goes beyond mere mobile play. Although cultivating your farm and developing your coastal home are engaging, the core gameplay lies in the job and mentor systems.

Engaging with the residents of Starsand Island presents the player with opportunities to learn diverse trades, where they can acquire valuable items and abilities that aid in advancing their farming endeavors.

Contrary to any impression, Starsand Island doesn’t aim to be complicated or overwhelming. For instance, angling here is as effortless as positioning yourself by one of the island’s ponds or shores and casting a basic rod when you spot fish shadows beneath the waterline. All it takes is a single button press to bring in your catch, fresh from the sea. In essence, Starsand Island embraces the relaxed, stress-free aspect of life simulation games.

Be mindful not to make your farm too comfortable as you’ll have to depart from it to gather supplies and advance. Unlike many farming simulators, Starsand Island emphasizes exploration over endless soil cultivation. In fact, the developers have incorporated vehicles into the game, a feature that’s seldom seen in games of this genre.

There’s quite a range of transportation options on this island, from skateboards and mopeds to real cars. Selling goods outside your farm will only bring in a small portion of their true value. But if you hop on a friendly pig instead, you can trot off to town and sell your items to potential buyers for a lot more money.

A project with grand aspirations already in place, featuring a vast, adaptable island bathed in colors reminiscent of Studio Ghibli and adorned with an anime art style, draws upon the finest gameplay elements from games such as Stardew Valley and My Time at Sandrock. What’s more, Starsand Island promises to deliver additional exciting features for its players in the days ahead.

Since the game surpassed its Kickstarter target not once, but twice, Islanders can anticipate several exciting additions such as a fresh theme park, enhanced character personalization, and the possibility of tailoring their very own houseboat.

Looking ahead, enthusiasts will have the opportunity to enjoy sunbathing and playing on the sandy shores of Starsand Island starting from Winter 2025. This exciting destination will be accessible on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and personal computers through Steam.

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2025-06-02 14:09