Oh man, ISLANDERS: New Shores… where to even begin? You know that 2019 game? Yeah, same vibes but now with some extra flair—like putting on your favorite sweater but realizing it has pockets you never noticed before. So, here’s the deal, it’s all about building up these cute little islands with stuff like cities and lighthouses and whatnot. And get this, no timer! Yep, you can sip your coffee and just hang out placing buildings wherever your heart desires. Pretty sweet, huh?
Anyway—wait, what was I saying? Right, so you start off on this tutorial island, kind of a “let’s get to know each other” situation. You get these card packs with buildings and the whole shtick is to rack up points. Sounds simple, but there’s a twist. You gotta be smart about where you’re plopping things down. I mean, place a shaman hut next to a city? Boom! Points galore.
But hold up, there’s this High Score Mode where you do your thing and then move on to another island. It’s like this never-ending beach party, but with a scoreboard. And for those artsy souls, there’s Sandbox Mode—think of it as a blank canvas where you create the perfect island paradise… or chaos, depending on your style.
Playing it on the Switch 2 was mostly smooth sailing, though there’s some funky stuff when you’re trying to make those tiny adjustments. Like, seriously, sometimes it feels like your buildings have minds of their own. “Stay put,” I whisper to the screen. It never listens, but I try anyway.
The thing is, New Shores is just charming with its minimalist aesthetics. The menus? They’ve got this slicker look to them—makes you wanna explore more, if that’s even possible. And don’t even get me started on the sound. It’s like, you know, when you’re lying in the grass and hear the wind rustle through leaves? That kind of sweet, calming background.
ISLANDERS: New Shores is kind of a keeper. It’ll probably linger on my home screen, like that book you keep meaning to finish but you just enjoy its presence. For anyone who loved the first game or just wants a low-key builder sim, it’s a no-brainer. Just chill with it, you know? Keep those island vibes coming.