Grab The Games: ISLANDERS: New Shores

Another day, another review for our fans! Today, we’re setting sail on Islanders: New Shores, the serene sequel to the minimalist city-builder that quietly stole hearts. Let’s explore what makes this chapter both familiar and refreshingly new. Developed by The Station and published by Coatsink, Islanders: New Shores launches on July 10, 2025. Whether you're a returning fan or a newcomer, the game welcomes you with tranquil creativity and honest design.

In each run, you’re handed a starter inventory of buildings and a procedurally generated island—your playground. Choose where to place structures thoughtfully, earn points, unlock new buildings, and move on to the next island once you hit milestones. Ballooning complexity is replaced by elegant challenge: spacing, synergy, and timing matter more than micromanagement.

This sequel adds fresh layers to the formula. New mechanics like boons—one-time power-ups for strategic boosts—blend seamlessly with 44 new building types and 50 unique island generators across six biomes. The expanded scoring systems reward thoughtful placements: line-of-sight, distance bonuses, and inter-island strategies elevate each decision.

For creators, photo mode is a standout addition, giving you filters and a turntable camera to frame your islands like miniature dioramas. Twitch integration allows streamers to bring viewers into building decisions—perfect for community engagement. While minimalist in style, the game offers a visual upgrade over its predecessor: vibrant colors, thoughtful animations, and smooth UI flow. The soundtrack—a dedicated 75-minute original score—perfectly complements the tranquil building loop. It feels like the soundtrack to a summer sunset—subtle, restful, and satisfying

That said, the game does have a few drawbacks. Although the presentation is clean and well-polished, the world itself sometimes feels too static. A bit more environmental interaction or ambient life would have made the islands feel more alive. Additionally, while controller support is present, some players have noted that placement controls feel less precise compared to mouse input, especially on Switch and Steam Deck. An optional undo feature in high score mode would also help ease the occasional misplacement.

There are two modes to explore: high score mode for a focused, strategic experience and sandbox mode for creative, no-limits building. Regardless of how you play, it’s not about speedrunning—this is a game about slowing down, relaxing, and building at your own pace.

Islanders: New Shores builds upon the core appeal of minimalist city building and evolves it beautifully. It balances challenge and calm, strategy and serenity. With thoughtful updates, peerless polish, and multi-platform support, it’s unmistakably one of the most memorable indie city-building experiences in years.

If you’ve ever longed to arrange a tiny island village just right—and bask in how it all clicks—New Shores brings that joy back, but better. Expect to lose minutes, maybe hours, to its soothing rhythm.

Dionysis Spinos