Coral Island

The farming/life sim space is bursting, and with many games offering a similar premise it’s hard for anything to truly stand out. Indeed, on paper Coral Island sounds very much like any other. But in practice, it’s one of the most satisfying games in the space and one I know I’ll be going back to for months to come. It looks fantastic, it offers a robust mission system coupled with endless player freedom and has some genuinely unique ideas to boot. What more could you want?

If you still haven't had enough of the awesome recent deluge of farming sims then be sure to check out Coral Island as it's quite cool.

Coral Island is a vibrant and laid-back reimagining of farm sim games. Be who you want and experience enchanting island living at your own pace—live off the land, nurture animals, build relationships with a diverse cast of townsfolk, and make the world around you a more vital and harmonious place. PS5 version reviewed.

Once established on the farm, there is a lot of work to do with a massive plot of land that is overgrown with weeds, rocks, trees, and lots of trash. Throughout the game, players can decorate and craft their idyllic farmscape with animals and crops. There are also many other important activities, such as fishing, mining, and diving in the ocean, as well as interacting with a colorful cast of over 70 NPCs on the island. A museum is ready to be expanded through the character's help, as well as local heritage sites and community projects in the town.

Stairway Games has put a lot of love and care into every line of dialogue, every location design, and every game feature. The tiny details make Coral Island stand out: cute pamphlets that let you know where the fun is at in an event, random interactions between townsfolk provide depth, and the quiet but noticeable messages put out about our environment educate us as we explore. It’s a testament to the developer’s commitment to crafting a truly immersive and captivating experience.

I can distinctly remember stumbling upon the Kickstarter campaign for Coral Island. With every word I read of the pitch, I felt the giddiness in my tum tum bubbling. It spoke volumes to me, and apparently, I wasn’t the only one hearing voices. When it caught my attention, the funds had already been accumulated. Stretch goals couldn’t be thought up fast enough because they were being blown through immediately.