ISLANDERS: Console Edition

 Switch
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Nintendo Life
    Aug 15, 2021
    90
    Islanders is an elucidation of how games build meaning from abstract systems. However, more than that elucidation, Islanders gave us the time to ponder. It’s a repetitive, extended, calming experience that uses just enough power of just narrow enough a collection of faculties to induce a half-aware presence in reality. Which is when you think up all the dumbest questions: could it be that contemplating the meaning of life is the meaning of life? Woah.
  2. Pure Nintendo
    Oct 1, 2021
    85
    Islanders: Console Edition is a very good addition to the Nintendo Switch’s library. It is the the perfect game to take on the go, to play in short bursts or for longer spells. For this price you can’t really go wrong.
  3. Nintendo Enthusiast
    Oct 1, 2021
    85
    Islanders is a really interesting, serene city-building experience that reduces stress instead of adding onto it. Its clean-cut visual style and pickup-and-play mechanics fit the Switch like a glove.
  5. Universo Nintendo
    Oct 7, 2021
    80
    Islanders is an extremely minimalist and satisfying game, both in graphics and gameplay. You just need to look for the best possible score for each building, the game seems really simple, but can become extremely addictive and challenging.
  6. Gaming Nexus
    Aug 20, 2021
    80
    Islanders: Console Edition trims every bit of fat from the city-building genre, stripping it down to the core mechanic of plunking down buildings for points. While the controls are a bit fidgety, the chill gameplay and focused mechanics more than make up for it. Play for a few minutes or a few hours, either way, Islanders delivers.
  7. NintendoWorldReport
    Aug 16, 2021
    80
    While ISLANDERS: Console Edition can sometimes feel like a slightly frustrating experience with both its core mechanic of abandoning progress and irritating controls, I’ve still found myself returning to it again and again on Switch. It’s a relaxing little puzzle game that just put me in a fantastic zenlike mood and let my brains focus on finding simple solutions to achieve my own goals. I think that it works wonders for short pick up and play sessions and as something to just keep installed on your Switch to return to over time. I wish the controls were a bit more refined and that some buildings came with a few more tips on where to place them. But for this small package, it has quite a lot of content that kept me satisfied. If you were to send me off to a deserted island and I could only bring one game, this one would certainly be on my list of choices.
  8. COGconnected
    Sep 2, 2021
    78
    For best results, pick up Islanders: Console Edition for shorter sessions; calm yourself down and escape from the stress of life. Don’t look for it to satisfy your Napoleonic yearnings for military glory. And if you’ve been looking for the next “Civ-on-the-go,” keep looking. Islanders: Console Edition is a small game that knows what it is — and isn’t. And that’s just fine.
This publication does not provide a score for their reviews.
This publication has not posted a final review score yet.
These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation.

In Progress & Unscored

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  1. Eurogamer
    Aug 19, 2021
    Quotation forthcoming.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. abrus
    Jan 8, 2022
    7
    Islanders is an interesting little game. It is definitely relaxing and engaging to play, thanks mainly to the crisp visuals and very chilledIslanders is an interesting little game. It is definitely relaxing and engaging to play, thanks mainly to the crisp visuals and very chilled soundtrack. It is very satisfying optimising the placement of buildings and other structures around your island in order to maximise your score. The interface works pretty well and the game certainly runs very smoothly. I've been playing for 5 or 6 hours now. I've loved my experience so far, but I'm finding it a bit hard to find motivation to play again now that I've seen most of what this game has to offer, and the only real 'point' is to strive for a hi-score or build a nice island to photograph as a souvenir. I'm glad I spent some time playing this, just be aware that once the novelty has worn off there isn't much here to keep you coming back for more.… Full Review »
  2. NindieSpotlight
    Dec 17, 2021
    7
    This budget title, at first glance, looked like it may be a sim of sorts… but if that’s what got you excited, be warned, that isn’t whatThis budget title, at first glance, looked like it may be a sim of sorts… but if that’s what got you excited, be warned, that isn’t what you’ll find here. Instead, it’s more of a puzzle strategy game where you’ll need to very carefully place buildings of different types all around the randomly-generated island you’ve been assigned, trying to maximize your points so you can continue to move on and eventually make your way to a new island to begin the process again. This can be trickier than it sounds, especially since so many buildings derive bonuses or penalties from the right and wrong buildings or resources in their immediate area. Early on, as you’re getting accustomed to the rules, this can make things a bit aggravating, as you’ll paint yourself into corners in some ways with poor early placements. However, with some time you’ll tend to do better planning and set yourself up for success. The added Sandbox mode ends up being more of a novelty just to make visually-pleasing towns, but not much more since there’s not a sim element here to give it more consequence to what you set up.

    https://www.nindiespotlight.com/2021/08/mini-reviews-august-13th-edition.html    … Full Review »
  3. Adasc2906
    Dec 8, 2021
    6
    What is the point of this game. What do i do here? Can somebody explain it?
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