Switch 2 Stardew Valley-Like Game Coming Later Than Expected

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Despite a lot of excitement for the February 1st release of Starsand Island – a life simulation game similar to Stardew Valley – on the Nintendo Switch 2 and other consoles, the developer, Seed Sparkle Lab, has decided to change plans. They will now release the relaxing, Chinese-inspired game as an early access title on PC through Steam first. Fans on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S will have to wait, as the full version of Starsand Island will launch at a later, unspecified date. While some gamers are disappointed, many are hopeful that the early access period will allow the developers to polish the game and deliver a better experience when it’s fully released.

Games like Stardew Valley have become incredibly popular recently, and this is largely due to a growing desire for relaxing and comforting gameplay, especially after the pandemic. The life-simulation genre isn’t new, though – games like Harvest Moon and Animal Crossing have been around for decades and were key inspirations for Stardew Valley and other similar games where players can build a virtual life focused on activities like farming, fishing, and exploration. Starsand Island shares similarities with these games, but it’s trying to stand out with its unique cultural setting, which has excited fans of the cozy life-sim genre. However, players on consoles will have to wait, as the game’s launch plans have recently changed.

Starsand Island Early Access Plans and Release Date Change

So, I just saw a video from Sarah Sunstone with some news about Starsand Island. Seed Sparkle Lab announced a bunch of cool new stuff is coming, but here’s the catch: it’s launching first as an early access game only on PC on February 1st. That means anyone hyped for the Nintendo Switch 2 version – or the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions they already announced – is going to have to wait. Good news is, they said all the console versions will come out at the same time as the full PC release, and the Switch version will follow that. They didn’t say how long early access will last, or when we can actually expect the full game, which is a bit frustrating, but at least we know it’s still coming to consoles!

Okay, so Seed Sparkle Lab dropped some awesome news in their latest update! They hinted at physical copies of the game eventually, which is huge. But even better, they’re adding terraforming to Starsand Island! I’ll be able to actually change the landscape around my base and even on a whole other island. And get this – the in-game seasons will be based on Starsand Island‘s time, not my real-world timezone, which is a lifesaver. They’re planning to make these seasonal events even bigger with updates, and the cool outfits and stuff you earn will be permanent! Plus, they’re adding more adorable animals over time, and some of them will even change how the game plays. I’m so hyped!

The developers at Seed Sparkle Lab have big plans for Starsand Island, including features like terraforming and animal companions, as well as plans for new maps and areas. This likely explains why they chose to release the game in early access rather than delaying it to finish everything first. While there isn’t a public release schedule yet, Starsand Island will launch on Steam in early access on February 1st, so players should keep an eye out for future news and updates about the game and other similar life-simulation titles.

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2026-01-24 21:04