Sugardew Island
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Critic Reviews for Sugardew Island
The developers made it clear that the game was meant to be intentionally uncomplicated, but I expected more from a game that aimed to be a spiritual successor to the Sun Haven games.
This sweet little comfort game is an adorably cozy little farming simulation. Difficult to learn at first, but easy to play as you continue on. Grow crops, sell them to the townspeople, make money, restore harmony to the island. And best of all, adopt cows and chickens! But unfortunate technical issues that cause the game to randomly lock, resulting in a repeated loss of progress, eventually took their toll. I'm hoping the game's issues are resolved so players can actually enjoy the charming experience at the core of Sugardew Island.
Sugardew Island offers a cozy farming experience for those new to the genre or who aren't interested in the adventuring or romantic options available in similar games. Most genre fans, however, will quickly be looking for a rescue.
Sugardew Island has solid farming and shop simulation mechanics, but its lack of side activities and depth in the gameplay feels like a missed opportunity to do more.
Overall, there is little that Sugardew Island does to make itself stand out. The initial premise is interesting and the art style quite cute, but it fails to create a real identity for itself and the gameplay, while perfectly serviceable, just isn't interesting.
Sugardew Island is a colorful and cozy game with some interesting ideas like the storefront. However, despite a stress-free experience, the gameplay lacks enough depth to keep players on the island for a long period.
An “intentionally uncomplicated” farm shop simulator. is how Rokaplay developers describe Sugardew Island and I can concur, its exactly the heart of the game. Sugardew Island fosters a place to relax and unwind without the pressure of complication and chaos. Whether you’re farming crops, making friends, or tending to your store, there’s always something satisfying to do at your own pace.
Sugardew Island does a lot of things right: it offers some clever convenience features, charming graphics and a relaxed atmosphere. But despite these strengths, the game lacks long-term motivation. The sales system drags on unnecessarily, there are hardly any side activities, and the technical quirks disrupt the flow of the game in some places. The basic idea is nice, but the gameplay simply doesn't offer enough in the long run. Those looking for a purely farming-focused experience may be happy here - everyone else will long for more variety after a short time.
Review in German | Read full review
