There’s something special about a really good cozy game – it can feel incredibly important when you need an escape. Unlike other games, they have a way of completely immersing you in a different world for as long as you want. Features like beautiful scenery, lots to do, and a relaxing atmosphere are often exactly what players are looking for.
I recently got my hands on Starsand Island, and it’s quickly become one of my go-to games when I need to unwind. It’s a cozy life sim set in the beautiful Chinese countryside, and it’s the perfect escape from the everyday grind. I’ve already put in a bunch of hours before its Early Access launch on February 11th, and honestly, I’m totally hooked!
I was excited to speak with the team at Seed Sparkle Lab, the developers of the new game, and learn more about it. If you’re interested too, keep reading to get insights from Golton Goa, the game’s technical director and producer, and Richardo Wang, another producer on the team.
Interview with Golton Gao and Richardo Wang from Seed Sparkle Lab
We’ve noticed Starsand Island seems similar to popular games like Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley. Can you tell us what makes Starsand Island special, and are you primarily targeting players who enjoy those types of games?
Starsand Island is a cozy life simulation game where you can create your perfect island getaway. Grow crops, go fishing, discover hidden areas, and make friends with cute villagers and animals!
We’re aiming to attract fans of classic farming and life simulation games like Harvest Moon, My Time at Portia, My Time at Sandrock, and Stardew Valley, as they really set the standard for this type of game. But we also want Starsand Island to be enjoyable for anyone who loves to be creative and play freely, so everyone can find something they love doing in the game.
The game appears to offer a lot of freedom to customize the island. Will players be able to completely change the island’s layout and the placement of villages, or will customization be limited to certain areas?
With Golton, you have total freedom to create your dream island! You can easily customize the landscape, build and decorate houses, and design everything with just a click. Our goal is to make players feel a real sense of ownership over their island world.
Q: What’s going to set Starsand Island apart from some other farming/life simulator titles?
Richardo: Starsand Island stands out in three main ways:
1. Art Style – Bright and Expressive Anime Aesthetics
Honestly, the art style is a huge reason I love this game. It’s all bright and colorful, kind of like an anime, which really makes the world feel alive and cozy. It definitely stands out from a lot of other farming games out there – everything just pops with color and feels super dynamic. It’s not just pretty, it really adds to the whole vibe!
2. Storytelling – Deep, Character-Driven Narratives
Our game isn’t just a typical life simulation. We focus on creating richer stories where each character has their own unique hopes, challenges, and ambitions. This allows you to build genuine relationships and experience interactions that feel truly meaningful and evolve over time.
3. Gameplay – Evolution, Creativity, and Freedom
Farming on Starsand Island is a unique experience beyond simple planting and harvesting. Crops can change and develop new characteristics – they might glow, make sounds, or even combine traits! Animals also have different behaviors and genetic makeups that affect your farm. Plus, our building system gives you complete freedom to design and create the farm and lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of.
I’ve noticed the combat and boss fights in the trailers and screenshots, and I’m wondering what role they play in the game. How important is combat to the overall experience?
For Golton, battles are a fun part of exploring the island—they give players goals like discovering hidden places, defeating creatures, and defending the land. While not the primary gameplay element, combat adds thrills and provides extra benefits for players who like to venture out and discover things.
As someone who enjoys games that teach about different cultures, I’m curious if Starsand Island will offer insights into Chinese culture.
Starsand Island’s design is heavily inspired by Daoist philosophy, particularly the idea that the most valuable things come from acting naturally, without forcing things. This principle guides how all the different parts of the game work together, creating a balanced and seamless experience.
Animals can be helpful on farms in several ways. Chickens control pests by eating them, and rabbits keep fields clear of weeds. Additionally, animal manure can be processed into valuable feed or fertilizer.
Within any ecosystem, all living things rely on each other, mirroring the Daoist idea of balance and interconnectedness.
Players will also encounter many elements inspired by Chinese traditions, such as:
Colorful ethnic clothing and lively folk dances showcase China’s rich culture. Ancient health practices like Baduanjin and Tai Chi, connected to Chinese martial arts and a focus on wellbeing, are also featured. The story includes a Daoist figure who studies the stars and calendars, offering a glimpse into the beginnings of the traditional Chinese calendar.
As I played, I really got a feel for Chinese culture – not in a heavy-handed way, but through little details that hinted at the rhythm of life, traditional wisdom, and a beautiful sense of style. It all blended seamlessly into the fun of exploring the island, which was really cool!
Reaching over 550,000 wishlists on Steam is fantastic! With so much early interest from players, does that create any extra pressure or worry during development, or is it simply encouraging to see such positive numbers?
It’s a mix of both! (laughs) The positive response is incredibly motivating, but we definitely feel the pressure to deliver. Mostly, though, we’re just really grateful that so many players are excited about the game. It inspires us to make the island the best it can be.
The game’s system for building relationships with characters is really in-depth – it’s more than I’ve seen in other games, because characters will actually try to connect with you instead of you always having to initiate everything. Roughly how many different ways are there to develop these relationships?
Absolutely! Every villager is unique, with their own personality, daily life, and ways of developing over time. As you get to know them, they might even come to you – to talk or offer gifts. We’re aiming for friendships that feel genuine and organic, not just something you achieve by repeatedly doing the same tasks.
Does Starsand Island have a main storyline with an ending, or is it designed as an open world where players can continue playing without a set goal?
Golton describes the game as feeling more like a comfortable home than a task-driven mission. There isn’t a defined endpoint; players are encouraged to progress at their own speed. Whether you focus on completing goals or simply enjoy relaxing activities like gardening and caring for animals, the game aims to give players the freedom to live a life of their choosing.
I really like the concepts of using longboards, riding animals, and gliding with birds to get around the island. Does the fact that these methods are fast and efficient suggest the island is bigger than those found in comparable games?
Absolutely! Starsand Island is a large and diverse place, with different environments and resources depending on where you go. To make exploring enjoyable and easy, we’ve included a variety of ways to get around—you can cruise on a skateboard or even fly with the help of bird companions. The island is also full of unique sights and locations that add depth to the game and make the experience more meaningful.
The Glowing Moon Forest is a fascinating and resource-rich land filled with valuable minerals. While exploring, you’ll encounter both small, mischievous creatures and formidable bosses. It’s also a haven for rare plants, making it an ideal destination for adventurers and anyone eager to discover its secrets.
Cloudrest Lake is a calm and beautiful spot surrounded by bamboo forests. Players can gather bamboo here and relax. As you progress in the game, you’ll also be able to buy land around the lake to build onto your home.
As a fan, I’m completely captivated by Mount Qingcheng! It feels like a truly special place, brimming with a mystical energy. It’s not just a beautiful mountain; it’s like it’s hiding secrets – ancient ruins and stories just waiting to be uncovered. I have a feeling we’re only scratching the surface of its history, and I can’t wait to see what mysteries it reveals next. It really feels like there’s so much more to learn about its lore!
As a fan, I was really blown away by Yueyang Tower! It’s this amazing, historic tower you can climb, and the view of the whole island is just incredible. Plus, it seems like it’s going to be super important for what happens next in the story, which is really exciting!
Every part of the island has a unique feel, with different resources and hidden discoveries. Players are encouraged to take their time, explore thoroughly, and connect with the island’s special atmosphere.
The farming in this game seems really detailed, especially the option to build robot helpers. Will these robots eventually allow you to fully automate your farm?
Absolutely! Farming has come a long way, from basic hand tools to sophisticated machines and even robots. You have the freedom to create your own automated system and build a super-productive farm. And if you ever want to get your hands dirty, you can always pick up a hoe – the choice is yours!
Q: Do you have any messages or themes you’re hoping come across in Starsand Island?
I absolutely love what the creators of Richardo are doing! It’s all about taking a breath and just slowing down. They’ve built a game focused on being relaxed, letting your creativity flow, and really connecting with the simple things – like spending time with people, animals, and being out in nature. Honestly, it feels like they’ve poured their hearts into creating something that celebrates peace and those little moments of happiness.
As a fan, what I’m really excited about is that the developers want our choices to matter. They’re not telling us there’s one ‘correct’ way to play, which is amazing! It sounds like they’re focusing on the journey and the experiences we have, and that’s where the real meaning of the game – and maybe even life – will come from. It’s about living it, not finding some perfect solution.
Q: Anything else we haven’t touched on that you’d like to share with the readers?
Starsand Island is a life simulation game where you can build a completely free and unique world. It’s more than just the usual farming and pet care – you’ll discover fun mini-games, chances to win with scratch cards, lively seasonal festivals, and even live music. You’re free to design and create the rural life you’ve always wanted, from a comfortable home to a beautiful garden or farm. We’re excited for players to join us and make Starsand Island their personal paradise.
Starsand Island Launches into Early Access Soon
If you’re excited to start living the cozy life in Starsand Island, the good news is you won’t have to wait long! Early Access begins on February 11th in North America. Be sure to check your local time to confirm when it becomes available for you.
I’m so excited that the game is coming to PC and Xbox first, even though it’s still in Early Access! Unfortunately, if you’re on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, or another console, you’ll have to wait until the full game launches. But if you want to stay up-to-date and learn more, definitely head over to the game’s Steam page – that’s where all the details are!
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2026-02-10 17:15