Players Like...

❤ Exploration and Open-World Gameplay

Players are free to freely roam and discover the beautiful and diverse island at their own pace. The island features a variety of distinct regions, from lush forests and bustling cities to frozen tundras, encouraging players to thoroughly explore and uncover all of its hidden secrets and mysteries. Players highlight how the game succeeds in creating a true sense of place, with the island feeling like a cohesive and interconnected world to get lost in. The open-world nature allows for a high degree of player agency and freedom. Players can choose to pursue the main objective of painting the four locations that were meaningful to the protagonist's mother, or instead opt to go off the beaten path and complete side quests, gather resources, and discover new areas and characters. This non-linear approach is widely praised, as it lets players engage with the world in the way that appeals to them most.

❤ Painting and Artistic Expression

By setting up an easel, players can capture the beautiful vistas and scenery of the island through in-game paintings. While the painting mechanic is relatively simple, functioning more like taking a screenshot, players highlight how it still provides a satisfying way to engage with and commemorate the world. The paintings can then be offered to NPCs as part of quests or to unlock new areas and items. The visuals, featuring a distinct fantasy-inspired art style with anthropomorphic animal characters, are widely celebrated as stunning and immersive. Similarly, the atmospheric soundtrack is highlighted as a standout element that heightens the sense of wonder and tranquility.

❤ Questing and Interacting with Inhabitants

The inhabitants of the island, from friendly bears to reclusive owls, each have their own unique stories, personalities, and problems that players can choose to assist with. These quests are praised for their variety, ranging from simple resource-gathering tasks to more complex mysteries and investigations. Importantly, the quests are non-violent in nature, challenging players to find peaceful solutions through dialogue, trade, and problem-solving. This approach is widely celebrated, as it allows the game to maintain its focus on exploration and relaxation without resorting to traditional combat mechanics.

❤ Progression and Traversal

As players progress, they are able to unlock new tools and abilities that enhance their ability to explore the island. This includes items like a raft, a bicycle, and a zipline, which allow players to more easily traverse the terrain and reach previously inaccessible areas. The game's pacing in doling out these traversal upgrades is praised, as it creates a steady sense of progression and discovery. Additionally, players can craft various items, such as canvases and tents, that further facilitate their exploration and painting activities. While the crafting system is relatively straightforward, players appreciate how it ties into the overall gameplay loop of resource-gathering and problem-solving.