Starsand Island, the anime-inspired cozy life sim from Chinese developer Seed Sparkle Lab, left Early Access today and is now available in its full 1.0 form on Steam, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
The game has been in Steam Early Access since February 2026, where it built up over 5,300 reviews and a "Very Positive" overall rating (88% positive). With the 1.0 launch, a 20% introductory discount brings the Steam price down to $31.99 until September 1.
What Starsand Island is
Players take on the role of a new resident arriving on a coastal island paradise described as the "Star of the Deep Sea." The core loop mixes farming, fishing, crafting, ranching, and home building with exploration of surrounding islands, ancient ruins, and underwater areas. There is light combat against fantastical creatures, and transportation options range from longboards and retro scooters to sailboats.
Relationships with NPC islanders, each with distinct personalities and professions, form a major part of the experience. Romance is on the table, along with friendship storylines and community events tied to a dynamic four-season cycle.
What 1.0 adds
The biggest addition is online multiplayer for up to four players. Friends can farm together, gather resources, fish, and build shared island communities. On Nintendo Switch 2, online play requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
Version 1.0 also introduces the Autumn Pumpkin Carnival, a seasonal storyline with its own quests, alongside expanded character interactions and relationship content. Six DLC items (three free, three paid) are available alongside the base game, and a Deluxe Bundle with a Classic European DLC pack is listed on Steam.
Platforms, pricing, and physical editions
The digital version is available now at $39.99 on all platforms (before the Steam launch discount). Physical editions for Nintendo Switch 2 ($39.99 / €44.99 / £39.99) and PlayStation 5 ($39.99 / €39.99 / £34.99) can still be pre-ordered ahead of their November 12 release.
Language support currently covers English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese with full audio and subtitles. The Switch 2 download weighs in at 9 GB, while the PC version requires 20 GB of storage.
For life-sim fans keeping an eye on the growing indie scene alongside games like Paralives and Monster Fantasy, Starsand Island's co-op focus and anime aesthetic give it a distinct niche worth watching as post-launch updates roll in.
Source: Games Press via Google News - Life Simulation Games