Game: Amber Isle
Genre: Adventure, RPG, Simulation
System: Steam (Windows)
Developers | Publishers: Ambertail Games | Team17
Controller Support: Yes
Price: US $24.99 | UK £24.99 | EU € 24,99
Release Date: October 10th, 2024
No review code was used, as I purchased the game myself.
Amber Isle is a simulation RPG game from Ambertail Games in Northern Ireland. I purchased the game out of curiosity; I wanted to see what a game developed in my home city of Belfast was like. According to this BBC News article, Northern Ireland has a thriving indie development scene with 40 development studios, which is fantastic. Now, let’s get on with the review of Amber Isle.
Amber Isle: A Prehistoric Shopkeeping Adventure
Amber Isle offers a whimsical adventure that lets you step back in time, way, way back in time, to a world where dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures roam a rundown village on an island.
After a bumpy landing through the roof of a shop, you are greeted by courier Maple and Mayor Clawsworth, who reluctantly agree to let you open a shop to help pay off your debt for the repairs to the roof. During your adventure, as the new shopkeeper, it’s your job to craft items, sell them, and bring the island back from the brink of extinction by repairing and decorating the island.
At first, the game can feel a bit lonely. The island is sparsely populated, and the only dinosaurs you’ll encounter are the ones who wander into your shop; it can be slow going at the beginning of the game before you feel like you are getting somewhere and progressing. However, as you do progress, unlock new areas, and rebuild the island, more and more Paleofolk will call Amber Isle home, turning the quiet start into a lively, bustling community.
Shopkeeper
The shopkeeping aspect of Amber Isle is both engaging and quirky. You’ll craft items suited to your diverse customers. Whether it’s a Microraptor looking for the perfect mini-chair or a brachiosaurus needing an extra-long canvas, the variety of customer requests keeps things fresh. Items you can craft come in different categories: Artisan, Carpenter, Chef, Gardener, Musician, Scribe and Stylist, and customers can ask for an item from a particular category.
The haggling mechanic for selling and also buying items from Paleofolk adds a fun layer of interaction, though it’s not without its flaws. I encountered a bug where Mayor Clawsworth, the grumpy iguanodon who oversees the island, continued haggling even after I’d made a sale, which was a bit frustrating.
Once the sale is complete, you will earn inspiration and, of course, some Amber, the local currency. While the shop is open, you are kept busy; between serving customers, cleaning the floor, and dusting the shelves, there is a lot to do.
You also get a bonus for having a well-presented and clean shop, so it’s worth brushing up those dinosaur footprints from the floor. I don’t see why they can not wipe their feet on a mat before entering instead of leaving paw prints all over the floor of Dippy’s Emporium; anyway, clean the floor, you must.
Lots of Customisation Options
Customisation is a major highlight of the game. Not only can you customise your character, but you can also decorate and expand your shop to increase its efficiency and use your profits to help rebuild Amber Isle.
Paths, foliage, and amenities can be added all over the island to make the island more attractive and encourage Paleofolk to stay. The visual evolution of the island as you unlock more areas adds a satisfying sense of progression. The more you invest in your shop and the island, the more vibrant and alive the world becomes.
From the diligent intern Adi to the cheerful courier Maple, each Paleofolk you meet brings its unique personality, preferences, and dialogue. There are 48 Paleofolk to befriend, and you can build relationships and give them gifts. As your friendship with them grows, you’ll unlock new upgrades and recipes and even help them set up their own communal spaces on the island. It creates a nice sense of community and collaboration.
Explore and Gather Resources
Amber Isle’s island offers a very colourful landscape waiting to be explored, one step at a time. Like any similar adventure, the map gradually reveals itself with progression. Early zones are locked, hinting at the hidden treasures beyond locked doors and dense groves. Each biome is home to unique plants and creatures, such as forests with flora and critters, while beaches are home to seashells and marine life. As new areas unlock, the sense of discovery deepens, driving the adventure forward. You can ask a Paleofolk to tag along when you go exploring for some company; it adds a nice touch to the gameplay.
Bugs and Issues
However, Amber Isle is not without its issues. The most noticeable is the camera angle, which can often obscure your view while exploring. Other than zooming out or in, you don’t have any control of the camera whatsoever. There were moments when the camera clipped through the scenery, completely blocking my view of my character, Dippy the Dinosaur.
On one occasion, Dippy got stuck in the environment, and I had to restart the game, losing some progress in the process. There’s also a bug where items mysteriously vanish from the shop shelves without being purchased, which can be a little discouraging when trying to manage your stock.
Visuals and Soundtrack
Visually, Amber Isle is vibrant and bright, and each NPC is well-designed. The music is enjoyable to listen to while exploring the island, and the sound effects are spot on.
Additionally, the game runs quite well on the Steam Deck, making it a perfect pick for handheld play. The colourful, cartoony art style and light gameplay make it an enjoyable experience on the go.
Conclusion
Despite its early bugs and minor frustrations, Amber Isle delivers a charming, cosy simulation with a lot of heart. It’s easy to get swept up running your prehistoric shop and watching the island come back to life with a cast of dinosaurs that are cute and full of character.
Though it still has some rough edges, Amber Isle manages to offer an experience that improves the more time you spend with it. With recent and future patches to smooth out the bugs, it has the potential to be a go-to game for anyone looking for a relaxing yet engaging simulation.
Final Verdict: I Like it a Lot 
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