Have you heard of Starsand Island? It's an upcoming cozy life-sim with anime-inspired characters, and it reminds us of all our favorites with vibes from Story of Seasons and Stardew Valley, to games like Genshin Impact and more.
Seed Sparkle Lab has revealed that Starsand Island is entering early access for select platforms ahead of its full release later this year. The reason for this approach, as you might guess, is so that the developers can get some extra feedback to make any remaining tweaks to further enhance the game before launch.
The farm game is filled with your classic cozy affairs - clear out an overgrown area, sow some crops, sell your produce, and pick a romance option from the town's populace. The graphics are a little different from the usual bobble-headed characters we see in cozy games, appearing as a mix of Genshin Impact, the latest Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, and more anime games.
We have a Starsand Island preview you can check out for a proper look at what the game has to offer, but rest assured, you can do everything from fishing to furnishing your home to catching bugs with friends in the fields.
When is the Starsand Island release date?
Starsand Island enters early access on both Steam and Xbox Series X/S on February 11, though the full launch of the game isn't until summer 2026 - as soon as we have a solid release date, we'll let you know. It's also worth noting that the game's multiplayer mode isn't available in early access and will instead arrive along with the full release.
What are the Starsand Island platforms?
When it fully releases, the game will arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5, as well as on Xbox Series X/S and Steam. Better still, it's great news for those of you who enjoy playing games on your PC handheld, as Starsand Island is compatible with the Steam Deck.
Is there a Starsand Island trailer?
Yes, there are multiple Starsand Island trailers, the most recent of which is the early access trailer, offering you a good look at what you can expect from the game. That short clip of a dog and other animals riding a moped shall live rent-free in my head for some time to come.