Islanders LadiesGamers

ISLANDERS: Console Edition Review

Game: ISLANDERS: Console Edition
Genre: Strategy, Indie
System: Nintendo Switch (also on Steam)
Developers | Publishers: Grizzly Games | Coatsink Software
Age Rating: US E | EU 3+
Price: UK £4.49 | US $4.99 |  EU € 4,99
Release Date: August 11th, 2021

Review code used, with many thanks to Coatsink Software

Islanders was featured in the recent Indie Showcase and released on the Nintendo Switch on the same day. It’s a minimalist strategy game about building cities on colourful islands. Let’s delve deeper and see what it is about.

Islanders LadiesGamers
Build on the islands

Procedurally generated Islands

Islanders plays like this, you, the player, have to place buildings on procedurally generated islands. In the bottom corner of the screen is a counter you have to pay attention to. You get the choice of a tiny selection of buildings to place on an island. Every time you put down a building you get points, whether by placing buildings next to certain natural features or by putting them alongside complementary buildings.

Islanders LadiesGamers
As it says, pick one. 

Place buildings

So for example, a Sawmill will get points if it’s placed nearby the lumberjack, warehouse or statue. But it gets points deducted if there is another sawmill in range. Similarly, houses can be placed next to each other for points, but gain more points if they are placed nearby fountains, city centres, mansions or parks.

The more buildings you place, the more types of building you get to choose from. The idea is to get enough points to beat the counter in the corner of the screen, then you move on to a completely new island and start again with continuing to build on the score you have collected.

Islanders LadiesGamers
Nice little island

The catch, of course, is that each island has a limited amount of space and resources. You need to be very careful where you put buildings as you can’t move onto the next island until you hit a certain points threshold. If you use all the island’s space making a fragmented mess of a city and can’t reach the points needed to progress, then you’ll be stuck there. Once a building has been placed, it can’t be demolished.

Your run in the game can end when no more points can be gained because no buildings are available or there is no space to place them.

If you reach the score required for that particular island you then move on to the next island and start anew. Leaving behind what you have already built isn’t a hardship as the fun is starting again on a new island with a different shape and terrain, plus the challenge of keeping your score going.

Islanders LadiesGamers
Time to move to another island

No People or Taxes

The difference with Islanders compared to other city builders are clear. Islanders plays more like a puzzle game than a city builder. You also don’t have people to take care of, taxes to collect or revenue to look after. Every single building you put down on the map has an optimal way of being placed, which is all well explained in the game. It is pure building placement in Islanders in a very chilled out way.

In addition to the regular high score mode, there’s also an even more peaceful sandbox mode, which allows you to build out your island city as you would like. No matter which way you choose to play, Islanders will no doubt please and delight those that are looking for a peaceful experience.

Islanders LadiesGamers
Look at my lovely town.

Visuals and Controls

Islanders looks well on the Switch with its colourful low-polygon visuals. Each island offers a different look and environment, from sandy islands to green forests. The soundtrack is as chilled out as the gameplay is and makes for a perfect match.

Islanders LadiesGamers
Where to place the shaman building?

The controls on the Switch are where I think the game falls down slightly. Placing buildings in a small space requires precision. I didn’t feel like the Switch version of the game offers that just yet.

The controls can be finicky as you try to place a building in the exact spot. A sweet spot that can mean the difference in scoring a few more points. I also noticed as I usually play with my Switch on a stand and when the screen wasn’t up close to me I had to squint to see the writing as it is tiny from a distance.

Islanders LadiesGamers
Beat the score

Conclusion

Islanders is a great addition to the strategy or even the puzzle genre on the Switch. A lovely game to play a short session with over a cup of tea or coffee. For longer gaming sessions and for more of a challenge you can try to beat the highest score of the online leader board.

For the few pounds or dollars, the game is in the eShop it is definitely worth trying out Islanders you won’t be disappointed!

Final Verdict: I Like It A Lot I like it a lot

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