The developers of Starsand Island, an upcoming farming simulator for PC, have recently detailed the game’s romance and friendship system. Starsand Island looks like a Stardew Valley-inspired title with anime aesthetics, and it will be available for PC gamers on Steam later in 2025.
Developed and published by Seed Lab, who previously created the free 2D platformer Biphase, Starsand Island is an upcoming farming sim which will be released on Steam in the last quarter of 2025. In the game, players will embrace the farming life on Starsand Island, raising animals, farming, fishing, and befriending people in the local village. The title promises some unique features, such as mounting animals or riding around using a scooter. However, its main selling point is the affection system.
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Now, Seed Lab has unveiled a new trailer for Starsand Island, showcasing the game’s affection system, which will play a huge part in romancing and befriending NPCs. According to the devs, the goal is to focus on realistic, deep emotional connections, which will be made via rich interactions with NPCs, reflecting their personality. Each character will have “lifelike memory, perception, and emotions,” as well as long-term goals. By helping the NPCs achieve their dreams, the players will reportedly be able to help them with these goals and gain their trust. Like in similar games, NPCs will have “heart levels,” which will unlock new story chapters and side quests.
Starsand Island Devs Detail Romance and Friendship System
Starsand Island will probably be a good pick for gamers who like life simulation games with romance. By focusing on romances and friendships in more than just dialogue, making NPCs remember conversations and gifts, and mentioning them later, the goal of the developers is to create a world that feels real and gives the player emotional satisfaction.
It’s fair to say that Starsand Island will have a steep competition, though, as there are plenty of choices for people who like romance in their farming sims. Aside from already classic titles such as Stardew Valley and the more recent Fields of Mistria, games like the upcoming Grave Sessions will also mix elements such as farming and romance but with a horror twist, as players may romance a serial killer.
Not all recent farming sims have such a focus on romance, though. Dinkum, which left early access back in April, mixes farming and survival mechanics in a world inspired by Stardew Valley and Minecraft. In any case, time will tell how Starsand Island will fare and whether the game will reach critical acclaim with its cute aesthetics and promising affection system.