Coral Island, developed by Stairway Games and published by Humble Games, presents a tropical farming experience with a strong focus on environmental conservation. Leaving the city of Pokyo behind, players take on the role of a new farmer in the picturesque Starlet Town, where the game invites you to shape your dream farm, befriend a diverse cast of over 70 islanders, and immerse yourself in various activities, from tending crops to exploring the underwater world. We checked it out on a PlayStation 5.
One of the standout features of Coral Island is its captivating visual design. The 3D world features a charming town and some attractive underwater landscapes, and it’s clear that the developers have poured love into the game’s aesthetics. Lots of small details breathe life into the environment, the game’s characters and even the building interiors.
The narrative unfolds as players discover the town’s struggle with an oil spill that has led to pollution, affecting both the surface and underwater world. As the hero of the story, your mission is to revitalize Coral Island by completing quests, donating items to the museum, and building relationships with the residents. The game cleverly weaves an overarching narrative around the environmental theme, making it a relevant and engaging aspect of the gameplay without laying it on too thick.
In terms of gameplay mechanics, Coral Island draws inspiration from classic farming/life simulations, allowing players to cultivate crops, raise animals, and engage in activities like mining and diving. The game introduces unique elements, such as bug-catching and underwater exploration, providing a refreshing twist to a perhaps overly familiar formula. The emphasis on ocean conservation adds depth to the gameplay here, encouraging players to clean up the ocean floor, restore coral reefs, and combat pollution.
While Coral Island offers a diverse range of activities, the underwater cleanup segments can feel a bit repetitive. There are other rough edges as well, like awkward character animations, but we’ve rarely seen a more convenient way to manage your crafting needs, social status and skills than what is on offer here – the user interface rarely getting in your way here.
In terms of how you interact between character interactions, the charming cartoon-like style of Coral Island stands out, breathing life into a diverse cast of islanders. The festivals on the island, where players can participate in mini-games and build connections with villagers, contribute to the game’s nostalgic, cozy and heartwarming atmosphere. The inclusion of various events throughout the seasons adds variety to the gameplay, and they’re often fun to the point where you’ll wish you could go back to them.
Coral Island successfully captures the essence of cozy farming simulation, providing a solid and enjoyable experience with room for improvement. Despite its flaws, the game’s unique themes of conservation, engaging narrative, and visually appealing design contribute to its overall charm.
Score: 7.9/10
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