Islands & Trains

Islands & Trains is a charming and relaxing experience that offers a slice of calm creativity in a world of high-stress, fast-paced games. While it has its limitations—from a single train to missing quality-of-life features—it still delivers a unique and satisfying sandbox for those looking to unwind. With more polish and expanded features, it has the potential to be a standout title in the cozy gaming niche.

Even though it's not a revolutionary game, Islands & Trains has many strengths that can attract casual players. Its simple gameplay and cozy atmosphere offer a sense of relief and fun after a long, tiring day. Many of its limitations could be addressed through updates, and I hope they happen so the game doesn't quickly fade into obscurity.

In conclusion, Islands & Trains is a cute little game that delivers exactly what it promises. It is very on-theme and gives you exactly what you would expect from a sandbox diorama builder. I would personally love a bit more variety in the items, and I did notice rather quickly that I am not quite creative enough to tackle dioramas – but that certainly doesn’t make it a bad game. Not at all, actually! It absolutely lives up to its word. If you are into calm building games or dioramas (and are a bit more creative than me) you will definitely have fun with this one. Despite my creative shortcomings, Islands & Trains has earned itself the Thumb Culture Gold Award!