Switch 2 Stardew Valley-Like Game Coming Later Than Expected

Despite massive hype for the expected February 1 launch of the 3D Stardew Valley-like life simulator Starsand Island on Nintendo Switch 2 and other consoles, developer Seed Sparkle Lab has announced a change of direction and will instead introduce its relaxing, Chinese-inspired sim first as an early access release exclusively on PC via Steam. Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S fans will need to wait a bit longer, as the full launch of Starsand Island will now be coming at a later unannounced date, leaving a number of gamers disappointed but tentatively optimistic that the early access period may help ensure a better full launch down the road.

A number of games like Stardew Valley have found massive success in recent years, with the rise in popularity of the cozy genre heavily attributed to a post-Covid desire for more casual gameplay experiences with wholesome vibes and peaceful atmospheres. Of course, the life-sim genre is now decades old, with much earlier entries like Harvest Moon and Animal Crossing massively responsible not only for the creation of Stardew Valley itself but other laid-back games that allow players to build a life for themselves while enjoying various mechanics like farming, fishing, and exploring. While Starsand Island has a number of similarities to its predecessors, it aims to set itself apart with unique cultural influences and has understandably caught the eye of cozy life-sim fans. Unfortunately, console players will have to put their enthusiasm on hold, as Starsand Island has made a major change to its launch plans.

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Starsand Island Early Access Plans and Release Date Change

In an update video shared by community member Sarah Sunstone, players were informed of the latest updates on Starsand Island by developer Seed Sparkle Lab, which include several new content additions and gameplay features but also revealed the shift from a full launch across all platforms to a PC-only early access release on February 1. This means fans who were looking forward to the recently revealed Nintendo Switch 2 version of Starsand Island, along with the earlier announced PS5 and Xbox Series releases, will now have to wait until a new full launch date is announced. According to the information shared by Sarah Sunstone, all console versions of Starsand Island will be released simultaneously with the full PC edition of Starsand Island, with an original Switch release thereafter, though no details were shared regarding the length of the early access period or a new expected release date.

As a positive, Seed Sparkle Lab mentioned the possibility of physical editions to come with the extended development period. Additional good news revealed in the update video include the addition of terraforming in Starsand Island, which will allow players to reshape the landscape surrounding their home and across a secondary uninhabited island, and confirmation that the in-game seasonal events will be synced to in-game and will not be impacted by real-world timezones. These seasonal events, which are said to be expanded over time with new updates, will include special outfits and unlockables that will be permanent, meaning players will be able to keep these items even after the events end. More adorable animals will also be added over time, with some introducing changes to the gameplay mechanics in Starsand Island.

From terraforming and animal companions to the planned addition of new maps and regions, it would seem the team at Seed Sparkle Lab has ambitious plans for Starsand Island, which may explain the reason for settling on an early access launch as opposed to a potential delay to finalize all of this extra content. It is worth noting that there is presently no release roadmap available for Starsand Island, but with the confirmed early access launch for Steam coming on February 1, interested players will want to stay tuned for future updates on Starsand Island and other upcoming life-sim games.