Starsand Island is a new cozy island life sim that has just launched on Kickstarter and is a game we mentioned back at the start of the year. It’s hard to know where to start to describe this game because there’s a lot to love just from the first glance. Starsand Island puts you in the role of someone who is returning to their childhood home, where you’ll be able to farm, fish, raise animals, and connect with the locals.
The island that you grew up on is unique in that it’s shaped like a star and has several elevations that help to create different areas on the island that are subject to unique seasonal wonders.
Local legend of the island says that if you can find a piece of aquamarine starsand on the beach and make a wish, your dreams will come true. Now, it’s tradition for island residents and tourists alike to comb the beach in search of the coveted aquamarine starsand.
On the island, you’ll get to explore a bevy of activities from the more common gardening and fishing to the more unique, like riding around on an e-bike or taking a boat out to sea. Whether you want to spend more time with your hands in the dirt or a pole in the water, Starsand Island is designed to let each player choose their own path.
It’s not just town life that awaits you! If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can explore the mysterious ruins to discover treasure, decipher ancient legends, and perhaps even find yourself a few battle encounters.
I mentioned that you can play the way you want, but there are several paths ahead of you to choose from. Starsand Island has professions that you could join, complete with a dedicated mentor to help you along your path.
Careers on Starsand Island
There’s manufacturing if you feel the call to be an engineer, where you craft machinery and automate production processes.
You could choose to plant and cultivate the land, growing tropical fruits and vegetables. Or, perhaps you’d like to delve into animal husbandry, where you’ll have the chance to raise animals. You’re not limited to farm animals, though! You can have kittens, puppies, capybaras, and other rare species on your farm.
Fishing is fairly straightforward, but I think being able to take the boat out to sea puts a unique spin on things. And, there are hundreds of fish species for you to catalogue! If you want to keep the fish, you may even decide to build your own little aquarium.
If the slow life isn’t for you, you can decide to go adventuring! Fight monsters in ancient ruins and unearth lore and treasures.
Choose one or many of these professions. You’re not pigeonholed into one.
You may be asking how you’ll get around the island. I mentioned an e-bike and a boat for the water, but you’ll have access to skateboards, motorcycles, and even airplanes!
And, you don’t have to go it alone! You’ll be able to keep a pet of your very own, and there’s an animal for everyone! Whether you want the standard dog and cat or something more exotic like a panda or mythical forest guardian, there’s an animal ready to befriend you.
Speaking of not being alone, you’ll have a few locals that you can romance if that’s a feature you want to enjoy! You’ll have the option of six different romanceable characters – two male-presenting characters and four female-presenting ones.
Each character is richly diverse with their own behavior patterns and personal backstories. You’ll be able to give them gifts, go on dates, and if you reach maximum affection, you can invite them to move in!
How can you make the island your own?
When it comes to customization, you’ll have an abundance of freedoms. For character creation, you’ll have extensive options available to you. It’s not just about changing your hair or coloring, you’ll be able to make outfits and even change the colors of them!
Customization doesn’t stop there, however. You’ll have the ability to build your home from the ground up. If you’ve ever built in The Sims, watching the process of building in the trailer and infographics reminds me strongly of that system.
Starsand Island truly seems to be available to appease every gamer, and it does it with beautiful art inspired by Japanese animation. Visually, it’s stunning. I feel like they triumphed in recreating a product of their inspiration.
And, as if that wasn’t enough, there are several opportunities to play mini-games, whether you want to challenge locals to poker or Chinese mahjong, or play retro arcade cabinets in the game center.
Starsand Island has a goal of $100,000 and was launched today (April 29th). This Kickstarter is a bit unique because it doesn’t dictate whether this game is released or not. Starsand Island has a planned release sometime in Q4 2025. However, by meeting the goal and the stretch goals, you’re directly affecting how much more can be added to this already massive game!
Currently, they’ve hit a fraction of their goal, but I expect their fundraising to explode as the days go on. By hitting the goal of $100k, you’ll already have your first stretch goal unlocked of bringing “Ocean Park” to the game. It’s a floating water amusement park that will be sure to add even more value to the final product.
The next goal is at $120k and will bring you even more character customization options. Right now, there are only the two stretch goals, but I’m sure if they are exceeded, more goals will be added.
But wait, there’s more!
If you decide to back this Kickstarter, you’ll have several rewards to choose from. The prices range from $20 to $10k. The rewards feature Steam keys for the game, name in the credits, digital and physical artbooks, exclusive poses and outfits, the opportunity to be an NPC or a romanceable NPC, and so much more!
I’m so excited for this game, and I sincerely hope that it surpasses all the stretch goals. Even if we don’t get more beyond the two goals, I genuinely believe that more funding to better compensate everyone who is working on Starsand Island deserves the love and monetary benefit for their work.
Starsand Island is a stunning game with a boggling amount of customization and activities. If you’d like to support their campaign, you can check out the Kickstarter. Otherwise, head over to their Steam page and wishlist the game. Not only will it keep the game on your radar, but it will help out the devs as well.
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