A game that launches in a competitive genre will inevitably draw comparisons to successful games in its space. From upcoming indies to well-funded triple-A titles, new launches hope to break the mold with what they have to offer. One title has emerged on the horizon of the cozy life-sim genre, capturing the attention and excitement of fans everywhere: Starsand Island. Known as the “anime Stardew Valley,” the game has a lot to live up to just by sheer comparison. Set to launch in Q4 2025, Starsand Island combines elements of traditional farming simulators with the whimsical charm of 3D anime aesthetics, all while drawing inspiration from beloved classics in its genre.
With its remarkable Kickstarter success, surpassing its funding goal by over 300%, Starsand Island promises to deliver a vibrant world filled with engaging gameplay, unique career paths, and meaningful relationships with its characters. With the game only a few months away, this is what players can expect from this highly anticipated new cozy life-sim.
1:11
Related
New Stardew Valley-Like Game Launching in March
A casual farm life simulation game, similar to the likes of Stardew Valley, is headed to consoles and PC as soon as March 2025.
The Basics of Starsand Island
While Starsand Island depended on generous Kickstarter donations to get off the ground, it’s easy to see how hype around the game helped it reach its goals with flying colors. Those anxiously awaiting the game have been periodically spoiled with sneak peeks as to what the game may offer post-launch. With only basic premises, the game was able to secure over 5,000 backers in a one-month funding period.
The World of Starsand Island
Starsand Island has already been referred to as “Stardew Valley meeting Studio Ghibli” and “the anime Stardew Valley.” The comparisons suggest that the industry acknowledges it has both steep competition and big shoes to fill. Luckily, the game promises a lively world, a unique aesthetic approach, and hours of fun to be had.
According to the game’s Steam page, Starsand Island will feature vibrant environments that include meadows, undersea landscapes, beaches, and a welcoming village bursting with interesting NPCs. With all the genre staples and a few surprises up its sleeve, the game marries a traditional farming simulator with the off-beat activities that kept games like Stardew Valley fresh.
Starsand Island Takes Notes From Its Muses, But Offers Something Unique
In the name itself, it’s pretty clear that Starsand Island takes inspiration from some of the most prominent players in the life-sim genre and its farming subgenre. The game’s developers have stated that it honors and builds upon the legacy of games like The Sims through its most engaging elements, including career paths, sub-professions, and its NPC AI, which displays progressing behavioral logic and interactions. Starsand Island also takes inspiration from Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ free-form construction system, where a player can modify the map’s landscape.
Although Starsand Island proudly names its inspirations, it is proud to offer a unique value proposition that sets it apart in a saturated genre. Starsand Island stands out for being a pastoral life-simulator that caters to the wants of the long-time fans of its muses, offering a well-balanced and more mature experience for players without sacrificing that cozier playstyle that keeps folks hooked on hours-long gameplay loops.
Related
Stardew Valley Fans Will Finally Have the Perfect MMO to Dive Into Soon
Stardew Valley fans looking for their next life-sim adventure should cozy up with this consistently blossoming and ambitious MMO.
What Players Can Expect When Roleplaying in Starsand Island
The creative premises and world-building content writing of a game’s marketing cycle can only take it so far. A game that aims for longevity must offer what every player across every genre wants: engaging gameplay with compelling reasons to recommend it.
Developers have shared details about the critical gameplay features in Starsand Island that will set it apart, playing a key role in differentiating it from others in the cozy game space. From vibrant activities to the mundane, the game has a lot to deliver based on its crowdfunding promises.
A Player’s Day-to-Day in Starsand Island
Players of Starsand Island will have a lot to juggle in their day-to-day sessions. Since Starsand Island is a true farming simulator, the game allows players to become farmers, managing fields with various crops and animals to care for. Additionally, the game offers mini-games and activities to break up the more mundane aspects of a farming sim. These activities include exploring ruins and jungles, fishing, combat, interacting with environmental objects, and island customization.
As mentioned, the game takes inspiration from The Sims’ career system and offers players an alternative to traditional farming gameplay. Players can level up in their careers, choose specializations, and unlock crafting recipes by progressing in their chosen professional path. So far, five careers have been confirmed for Starsand Island: crafting, farming, fishing, ranching, and exploring. Careers can be unlocked by talking to NPCs across the island. The career system makes the activity-based gameplay more dynamic by allowing players to pick and choose how they would like to spend their in-game time.
Starsand Island’s Friendship and Romance System
No sim game is complete without romance, and Starsand Island’s developers took careful notes on how to incorporate lively yet relevant romance and relationship systems that can compete in today’s market. The game boasts over 40 NPCs, each with their unique stories and desires, meaning that players can spend entire sessions just getting to know the people that make up their village. Friendships progress as players learn more about an NPCs long-term goals and gain their trust.
The relationship system in Starsand Island allows for romance in ways that allegedly defy the typical romantic depth of traditional life-sims. According to developers, NPCs can form deep emotional connections with players who help them achieve their long-term goals. NPCs will have heart levels that allow players to progress storylines, romances, and unlock quests.
Stardew Valley
- Released
-
February 26, 2016
- ESRB
-
E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco)
- Developer(s)
-
ConcernedApe
- Publisher(s)
-
ConcernedApe
- Engine
-
Proprietary