ISLANDERS: Console Edition

 Switch
ISLANDERS: Console Edition Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 5 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: You want to build beautiful cities without investing hours on end into stressful resource management? Say no more! ISLANDERS should be right up your alley. ISLANDERS is a minimalist strategy game about building cities on colorful islands. Explore an infinite number of ever-changing newYou want to build beautiful cities without investing hours on end into stressful resource management? Say no more! ISLANDERS should be right up your alley. ISLANDERS is a minimalist strategy game about building cities on colorful islands. Explore an infinite number of ever-changing new lands, expand your settlements from sprawling villages to vast cities and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Hey Poor Player
    Aug 17, 2021
    70
    While it is my firm belief that ISLANDERS should be enjoyed by all gamers, I’d first recommend the PC version over the Switch port. If your only option is the Switch, then please — get this game. But if you have a PC, I’d start there instead (honestly, it’s so cheap you might as well buy it on both platforms). ISLANDERS is fantastic for a few minutes of play to chill out during lunch or wind down before bed. No matter which platform you choose to play it on, ISLANDERS is a simple, soothing strategy game that’ll make you rethink city builders — one island at a time.
  6. Vooks
    Aug 16, 2021
    70
    Islanders: Console Edition is not a game for those seeking an epic story, intense action, or even a puzzle game where a high score is all that matters. No, what it does is offer a nice and simple game, where if you only have a few minutes to play, or an hour, you can just enjoy the game for what it is. While the controls are not the most user friendly at times, they don’t stop you from enjoying the experience in the moment and given that there is no punishment for failing, there really isn’t any reason not to give it a go.
  7. CGMagazine
    Sep 22, 2021
    55
    Islanders: Console Edition, while not a game for everyone, is exactly the game for people looking for what Grizzly Games (and most actual islands) can offer you; an escape from the everyday.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  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.… Expand
  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    … Expand
  4. Adasc2906
    Dec 8, 2021
    6
    What is the point of this game. What do i do here? Can somebody explain it?