Islanders: New Shores – A Delightful Sequel to a Minimalist City Builder Game
If you’ve found yourself entranced by the tranquil beauty of the minimalist city builder game Islanders, the news of a sequel may be music to your ears. Coatsink, the publisher behind the beloved title, has unveiled Islanders: New Shores, set to launch on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC this summer.
For those unfamiliar with the original Islanders, the game revolved around the art of strategically placing various amenities on a small, aesthetically pleasing island while aiming to maximize scores through clever placement and adjacency multipliers. Despite its seemingly simple premise, Islanders captivated players with its serene atmosphere and engaging gameplay, offering a unique blend of relaxation and strategic thinking.
Islanders: New Shores, the anticipated sequel, promises an enhanced experience with the opportunity to “explore, build, and strategize like never before.” Coatsink, now the steward of the franchise after acquiring it from Grizzly Games in 2022, has joined forces with The Station, the studio behind SteamWorld Build, to deliver a fresh take on the beloved formula.
Exciting New Features
New Shores introduces exciting additions such as “boons,” one-time power-ups that players can unlock as they accumulate points, providing valuable advantages in challenging stages. The game offers two distinct modes of play – High Score and Sandbox – each with its own save system, catering to various playstyles and preferences. With 44 unique building types, seven island properties, a photo mode complete with filters, and a turntable camera, players can expect a wealth of new content to explore and enjoy.
Anticipated Release
While an official release date for Islanders: New Shores is yet to be announced, the game is slated to arrive on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch during the upcoming summer months. If the sequel lives up to the standard set by its predecessor, it is sure to be a title worth monitoring closely. In a glowing review from 2021, Christian Donlan hailed the original Islanders as a “thoughtful spin on strategy” and a “classic,” underscoring the game’s enduring appeal and innovative gameplay mechanics.
As fans eagerly await the arrival of Islanders: New Shores, the promise of a captivating sequel brimming with new features and enhancements serves as a testament to the enduring charm and creativity of the franchise. With its blend of strategic depth, serene atmosphere, and engaging gameplay, New Shores is poised to captivate both returning players and newcomers alike, offering a delightful escape to a world of minimalist beauty and immersive city-building experiences.
