Coral Island: Where Farming Meets Paradise

14.11.2023 - 17:09 / gamepur.com / Coral Island

In late 2022, a tiny seed of curiosity was planted when a friend introduced me to Coral Island, a charming 3D farm simulation game with a tropical twist. Fast forward to 2023, and I found myself with over 100 hours poured into an early-access game. Now, two years after Stairway Games launched Coral Island’s Kickstarter campaign, it’s time to fully dive into this tropical paradise.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. With farming games dropping every month, why should I even bother picking up Coral Island? Well, as much as I hate to say it, she’s not like other girls. Coral Island is not just another farming simulator; it’s a lush oasis crafted with a commitment to modernizing the classics.

When I finished Stardew Valley, I launched myself on a pretty short-lived and frustrating quest to find its worthy successor. The search left me high and dry, unable to find anything quite like it… until Coral Island washed ashore.

This Indonesian Team Can Teach Us a Thing or Two About Diversity

Stairway Games, an Indonesian indie studio established in 2019, is the creative force behind Coral Island. Their mission? To export and celebrate the rich culture of Southeast Asia through gaming. The island’s lush environment brims with local flora and fauna. This is a refreshing departure from the typical muddy farming simulator scene.

Coral Island’s expansive map is a tapestry of beauty with Starlet Town at its heart. The island is home to a beach, lake, forest, hills, and residential areas scattered amidst nature’s bounty. Secrets are waiting to be uncovered and unlocked in every corner of the map.

However, Coral Island doesn’t just nab everything previous farming simulators did; give it a tropical coat of paint, and call it a day. There is a green message engrained deep into the story and gameplay mechanics of Coral Island.

It’s a refreshing departure from the typical farm simulators we’ve grown accustomed to and adds a touch of authenticity that sets it apart.

Promoting Sustainability Without the Preach

Stairway Games aspires to modernize the classics with a storyline that explores the climate crisis. while other farming games have settled for industrialization as the main antagonist, Coral Island has picked a different foe: our negative environmental impact.

At times, the message comes through gripping cutscenes, where locals rally against Pufferfish, a drilling giant linked to an oil spill. The gameplay echoes the theme with coral restoration quests, tree-planting events, and beach cleanups. But I think the louder moments are the most subtle ones, like hanging out with the townfolk at the beach and noticing how the ocean is tainted with black.

Whether through visuals, gameplay, or the main storyline, Coral has a