Coral Island

Coral Island checks every box for a farming simulator and more. As it leaves Early Access and launches as a full game, the near-flawless execution of so many moving parts is impressive. With a full road map of more to come in 2024, Coral Island is worth a try by anyone who enjoys cozy farming simulation games, or just wants to lose themselves somewhere warm during the cold winter months.

Right now, Coral Island has a fantastic base to build on, but it feels lacking in ways that become obvious as you play more. I know it left Steam Early Access to hit 1.0 and launch on consoles, but it still feels like it needed a bit more of its roadmap before I can recommend it without caveats. The asking price is lower than I expected given everything it has right now, and if you’re ok chipping away at it slowly and taking your time, you will find a lot to love here. Despite the few technical issues, it is a joy to play on Steam Deck, but I feel like it left early access prematurely.

Coral Island may take inspiration from many other whimsical sim adventures, but it’s presented in such a neatly packaged and polished manner that it feels oddly fresh, invoking nostalgia in a way that lingers in my memory. Whether it’s the beautifully illustrated characters available for romance or the excuse to explore the ocean’s depths in search of treasure, I couldn’t put Coral Island down. It swiftly became one of my favorite titles of the year. So, sit back, relax, and maybe even find love; regardless of your chosen path, Coral Island offers an experience that farming fans should not miss.

A cute farming simulation with stunning graphics and great attention to detail. Unfortunately, the mechanics are sometimes a bit lengthy, but characters and events loosen up the game again.

Coral Island takes cues from the best games in the business to create a mix of farming and lifestyle gameplay, and so it gets most things right. It’s lacking in a bit of unique flavour and the first few seasons play a bit like a Stardew Valley clone, but it comes into its own soon enough. I wish the more interesting ocean gameplay hadn’t been relegated to the 2024 roadmap, but what’s here is just as addicting as any great farming sim. It’s only going to get better, and it’s an easy recommendation for genre fans.