Islanders: New Shores brings back the tranquil puzzle-strategy formula that made the original such a relaxing standout, and proves there’s still a lot of room to grow within the minimalist city-builder genre. Developed by The Station and published by Coatsink and Thunderful, this follow-up is more of a thoughtfully expanded remix than a complete reinvention, but it delivers new biomes, systems, and polish that deepen its appeal without overcomplicating the peaceful vibe that defines the experience.
The core premise remains beautifully simple: you place buildings on small, procedurally generated islands, scoring points based on proximity bonuses. There’s no currency, no resource management, and no pressure beyond the push for an optimal layout. That elegant design loop is as satisfying as ever, but New Shores introduces subtle tweaks that allow for a greater range of expression and strategy. The inclusion of new biomes and a wider variety of buildings adds both visual and mechanical diversity, while power-ups called Boons inject bursts of tactical flair that can shift the course of a run when used well.
Strategic depth is expanded through new scoring mechanics, such as line-of-sight and inter-island bonuses, which encourage smarter placement and long-term thinking. These systems don’t break the relaxed rhythm of play but do make every decision feel a little more deliberate. It’s not a dramatic shift, but it’s enough to keep returning players on their toes without alienating newcomers. The game also caters to different moods with its split between a goal-oriented High Score Mode and a no-pressure Sandbox Mode – both of which are now enhanced by dedicated save slots, a small but much-appreciated quality-of-life touch.
Control-wise, things are smooth on the PlayStation 5. Navigation and building placement feels intuitive and responsive, and while it lacks the immediacy of a mouse, the console version doesn’t feel compromised. One minor annoyance is that some of the finer placement decisions can feel fiddly in more densely built areas, but this is more a consequence of the game’s gridless, freeform design than a platform issue.
Visually, New Shores is a true step up. While it maintains the iconic clean, colorful aesthetic of the original, the graphics now pop with added detail, better lighting, and more distinct biome identity. Each island is a perfect balance between functional clarity and serene beauty. The expanded soundtrack, meanwhile, does a stellar job of reinforcing the laid-back atmosphere. With over an hour of calming, ambient tunes that adapt subtly to your progress, it’s the kind of game where headphones aren’t just welcome – they’re practically recommended for an immersive and soothing experience.
There are still areas where the game could go further. The lack of any real narrative or progression system beyond high score chasing or freeform creation may leave some players wanting more of a long-term hook.
Still, Islanders: New Shores succeeds in what it sets out to do: refine and expand a much-loved indie concept into something more varied and rewarding, without sacrificing the meditative quality at its core. Whether you’re obsessively plotting every structure to hit the next score threshold or simply watching a colorful island come to life in Sandbox Mode, this is a game that’s easy to fall into – and hard to put down. For those who appreciate quiet creativity over endless objectives, it’s another small triumph in a genre too often crowded by complexity.
Score: 7.8/10
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