Moonstone Island

Moonstone Island is an addicting blend of various genres that still maintains its own identity.

Moonstone Island is certainly not among the best representatives of any of the genres it explores and may not be very appealing to those who are already very familiar with works of this type. However, it still manages to bring a fun adventure, ideal for those who want a more comfortable experience or are new to farming simulators, RPGs or deckbuilding.

In general, I can say that Moonstone Island is a very relaxed, beautifully crafted pixel-art game that still doesn’t feel boring even after extended playtime. Whether I’ll purchase the DLC as well is something I can’t currently say, as it consists purely of cosmetic items. Moonstone Island is a game for anyone who has ever wished for a blend of Stardew Valley and Pokémon. Thanks to its genre mix, it will also appeal to fans of cozy games such as Animal Crossing.

It's “everything including the kitchen sink” style may not be perfect on all fronts, but it’s got plenty to explore and enjoy

This game feels perfect for portable play sessions. I almost never use my Switch in handheld mode, but this was an exception. I loved firing it up, getting in a day or two worth of labour, and shutting it down. The quest system, combat, and need to explore kept me coming back. I wish moonstones were a bit easier to find, but otherwise? Moonstone Island is an excellent time. I highly recommend checking it out on the Switch.

Moonstone Island is a nice change of pace with its enjoyable farming and creature collecting. It was no surprise that I sunk many hours into it and still was eager to play more. It was one of those games where you are like “I’ll just do this then I’ll come off” but you end up spending a couple more hours on it. The art style was another selling point for me as I love these sorts of games, the card-based combat was interesting and worked well for me and I loved being able to collect spirits and look after them.

Moonstone Island's world is a feast for the eyes, offering stunning pixelated visuals reminiscent of the world of Studio Ghibli. It does an amazing job fusing together Stardew Valley aspects with the likes of Pokémon and its new-age retro style compliments the game well. With the art and gameplay comes the unique and strategic deck-building battle system that is arguably the most distinguishing factor of Moonstone Island. Despite the bugs, Moonstone Island is a perfect game for those who enjoy a farm-and-fight adventure with a unique spin on combat!

The time I’ve spent in Moonstone Island was a much needed breath of fresh air. It feel like we’ve only scratched the surface in this genre. Playing the game between keyboard and mouse, controller, I feel that this game is better played off a controller. With the tool wheel, it’s a bit of a hassle to switch between weapons with a mouse and keyboard. Where a controller is made for the tool wheel’s function and capability. The villagers themselves have such rich and vibrant personalities that makes me want to know more. Dating them all just is the only way to get more lore about them. But, my heart will always belong to Ferra because I just love the chaotic innocence she represents in my heart. The achievements they placed in the game are by far well worth the look and fun to obtain. I cannot wait to continue this venture throughout the islands. And I’ll finally get my answer on what is going on with Wally and his Baba Yaga home. Also, be kind to your muscle girlfriends, you never know what poetic justice they might deliver.

Moonstone Island refreshes my love for games like Stardew Valley and Pokémon, but still exerts its own unique identity. But sometimes with an amalgamation of genres, the details can get a little blurry, and there are certain aspects that sour the experience. Overall though, this was, and continues to be, a very adorable and compelling game.

Moonstone Island is mostly frustrating and has little fun to it. There are too many time restrictions, almost as if the developers were unsure if it should be a survival simulator or a causal sandbox. The card-based battles make fights a slog, especially when you can’t properly build a deck without using consumables. Moonstone Island is mostly for those who want challenging and obtuse grinds. Maybe Studio Supersoft is making more balancing changes, as the team is very responsive on both Discord and the Steam forums.