So, there I was, just hanging out with this game called ISLANDERS: New Shores. It’s like, you know, a follow-up to the OG ISLANDERS from 2019. They dropped a subtitle in there, and I’m not sure why, but let’s roll with it. Anyway, it’s this puzzle-y, cozy game where you basically throw buildings on an island. Cities, lighthouses, even shaman huts—whatever floats your boat. The goal? Rack up points and hop to the next island, but there’s no rush, really. No timer ticking away like some stressful game of Tetris. A nice chill tune plays in the background, and suddenly, you’re lost in this minimalist, yet super engaging world. Perfect for escaping life’s chaos, or am I just easily entertained?
So, it kicks off with a tutorial. It shows you the ropes but skips the fancy tricks—you’ve got to figure those out on your own. You grab building cards, like Brickmaker or Seaweed Farm, and start piecing them together. Points stack up, and bam, you unlock more cards—like some sort of addicting reward loop. And oh, plot twist: New Shores throws in these special “boons.” They jazz things up a bit, letting you snag extra points or double up on a building, but there’s a little catch, naturally. Once you’ve bagged enough points, you can either pack up and move on to the next island or just hang around, trying to beat your high score.
Moving on to new islands means your previous scores get tallied. More boons used, fewer undo moves, and you score multipliers. Then it’s back to square one with another island, fresh climate, and different structures. That’s the High Score Mode for you. But if you’re feeling artsy, there’s Sandbox Mode. Go wild designing your island—size, climate, shape, you name it. Much freedom, such creativity.
Played it on Switch 2, and yeah, it kind of works, mostly. A bit of stutter here and there, especially when you’re trying to nail that perfect building spot. There’s some sticky movement too—just technical hiccups that make you grit your teeth. Supposedly, mouse mode could help, but on Switch 1, you’re stuck.
Honestly, New Shores stepped up with nicer menus and buildings. Maybe I’m just a sucker for good design. You can still chase leaderboard glory, and it’s got that irresistible “just one more run” vibe. I’m betting it’ll camp out on my Switch home screen for a while, perfect for winding down before bed. It’s cool, inviting, and for fans of the original, a no-brainer. Newbies? Get on board; these islands are waiting.
