Luma Island
- November 20, 2024
- Feel Free Games
- 21h median play time
Get on SteamGo solo or play with up to 4 friends and family members, this island is yours to discover! Begin your extraordinary journey in a humble old caravan and rise to the grand achievement of building a majestic manor that you can proudly call your home. Traverse the island solving quests and helping the locals through their struggles. Dangerous spider caves, ancient temples, mind-bending puzzles…
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- Luma Island offers a vibrant and engaging open-world experience with a charming art style and relaxing gameplay.
- The game features unlimited inventory, no stamina requirements, and no forced sleep, allowing players to explore and enjoy at their own pace.
- The diverse range of professions and activities, including farming, crafting, and puzzle-solving, keeps the gameplay fresh and enjoyable.
- The gameplay can become repetitive and grindy, with similar mechanics across different biomes and professions.
- The lack of meaningful NPC interactions and relationships may leave some players feeling disconnected from the game world.
- Navigation can be challenging due to the absence of a mini-map and unclear map details, making it easy to get lost.
- grinding527 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Luma Island" has received mixed feedback from players. While many appreciate the game's relaxed pace and the absence of traditional farming sim pressures like stamina and time limits, others find the resource gathering and farming mechanics to be overly tedious and repetitive, especially in the later stages. Overall, the game is described as grindy but enjoyable, particularly for those who appreciate a casual, exploration-focused experience.
“The game is not too grindy but grindy enough to keep you busy for a long time.”
“The professions are not grindy like other games, and I appreciate that.”
“I love that it has no tedious eating, sleeping, and stamina bars to worry about.”
“While it's a fun experience in the beginning, it quickly turns into a boring grinding loop with repeated patterns throughout all four locations.”
“But as soon as I reached the mountain, everything became so tedious: the grind, the resources needed, the dungeons, the slow pace... and then I got to the jungle, and it's even worse.”
“The game is prolonged by simply making you hit a rock 16 times to break a mineral node until you upgrade the pickaxe.”
- graphics294 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their charming and vibrant art style, which combines pixel art with 3D elements, creating a cozy and immersive atmosphere. Many players find the visuals to be cute and detailed, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the gameplay, although some have reported performance issues on certain platforms. Overall, the aesthetic appeal is a significant highlight, drawing comparisons to beloved titles like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing.
“Beautifully made in every aspect, from sound to graphics to the story.”
“The graphics are rich and beautiful, the characters are more than just cardboard standees.”
“The visuals are stunning, with every detail of the island crafted with love and care, creating a truly immersive experience.”
“So far, I'm hampered by graphics issues and screen tearing that make it unplayable.”
“I have played games on 'ultra' graphics, but this game has to be run on the lowest setting and severely reduced resolution.”
“Despite being a very pretty and aesthetically pleasing game full of charm and style, it has a severe lack of depth.”
- gameplay263 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Luma Island is characterized by a cozy and casual experience, allowing players to explore, farm, and engage in various professions without the stress of stamina or time constraints. While the game offers a satisfying loop of gathering resources and crafting, many players find the mechanics can become repetitive and lack depth over time. Overall, it appeals to those who enjoy lighthearted, grindy gameplay with charming visuals, though some may seek more complexity and variety in the mechanics.
“With seven unique professions to choose from, such as blacksmith or cook, each offering distinct skill trees, players can customize their gameplay experience.”
“The vibrant visuals, engaging gameplay, and charming mechanics make it a delightful adventure for all ages.”
“Luma Island is the perfect blend of adventure, farming, crafting, and cozy gameplay.”
“Gameplay feels very clunky.”
“It's cozy but the gameplay is shallow.”
“However, after a few hours, the gameplay becomes repetitive.”
- story225 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally perceived as simplistic and lacking depth, with many players noting that it serves more as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a central focus. While some appreciate the emotional pull and charm of the quests and world-building, others find the narrative to be cliché and repetitive, often overshadowed by the abundance of farming and crafting activities. Overall, the game offers a cozy experience with quests that can be pursued at one's own pace, but it may not satisfy those seeking a rich, engaging storyline.
“The story, while simple, has just enough emotional pull to make you care about Luma Island, its inhabitants, and its mission.”
“It's incredibly fun, entertaining, and rewarding, offering a beautiful world to explore, puzzles to solve, and a story that pulls you in.”
“The story and in-game quests are cute; this is the perfect evening cozy multiplayer co-op for us!”
“The story is pretty cliche and barebones and simply just ends.”
“The story feels barely there, and it can be a bit grindy, but it makes up for it with how fun and polished it is.”
“The lack of a story line is probably the big issue.”
- music81 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers noting its calming and ambient qualities that perfectly complement the vibrant visuals. The soundtrack is described as charming, whimsical, and immersive, contributing to a cozy atmosphere that encourages relaxation and exploration. While some users experienced occasional glitches, the overall consensus is that the music is a standout feature, elevating the gameplay and making it enjoyable to play for extended periods.
“The vibrant, colorful environments were a visual treat, and the calming, ambient soundtrack perfectly matched the game's peaceful tone, adding a layer of depth to the experience.”
“The music is beautiful, the sounds when you harvest your crops are satisfying, and the lumas are so adorable!”
“The ambient soundtrack complements the visuals beautifully, adding an emotional depth to each area you traverse.”
“The background music glitches out on me a lot.”
“The music isn't too overwhelming.”
“The soundtrack is decent.”
- atmosphere29 mentions
- 66 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charming art style, cozy and immersive environments, and soothing sound design, which collectively create a relaxing experience that encourages exploration and experimentation. Players appreciate the balance between tranquility and adventure, with some areas offering a more intense atmosphere that adds depth to the gameplay. Overall, the game's visuals and audio significantly enhance its appeal, making it a delightful choice for fans of laid-back exploration and puzzle-solving.
“From the very beginning, Luma Island draws you in with its charming art style and immersive atmosphere.”
“This is such a cozy game with a beautiful atmosphere and so many adventure opportunities.”
“The relaxing, no-pressure atmosphere encourages exploration and experimentation.”
“Game is super cozy, and the atmosphere is fantastic; however, the game lacks mechanics to make the grind feel satisfying.”
“Although the game’s description suggests a relaxing and calming atmosphere, some professions introduce a more tense and thrilling challenge.”
“From its gameplay to atmosphere, and the surprising depth in mechanics.”
- stability26 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 58 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting a smooth experience, particularly on the Steam Deck, while others have encountered significant glitches that disrupt gameplay, especially during online sessions. Many users noted that while some bugs have been resolved with updates, persistent issues remain, particularly with NPC interactions and tool tokens, leading to frustration. Overall, the game's stability appears to vary widely among players, with a notable divide between those experiencing smooth performance and those facing frequent glitches.
“It runs great on the Steam Deck.”
“It runs extremely well and is bug-free (so far that I observed).”
“No bugs so far, runs great in multiplayer.”
“The whip is buggy and doesn't feel responsive, so it ends up feeling like a waste of time.”
“Please address the game-breaking glitches that occur during online play.”
“What's worse is the glitches are inevitable; one or more of them occurs every play session.”
- optimization23 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is mixed, with strong performance on PC but notable issues on the Steam Deck, including frequent FPS drops and stuttering even at lower settings. While some players report smooth gameplay and no bugs, others express concerns about performance inconsistencies, particularly during transitions and extended play sessions. Many hope for future updates to enhance optimization and stabilize frame rates across all platforms.
“The game is also very well optimized, so running at high graphics allows my frame rate to run just as smoothly as those graphics oh-boy!”
“There is absolutely no performance issues; it runs like a dream.”
“As for performance, I encountered no issues.”
“Quite a few FPS drops and stuttering on Steam Deck even on medium and low.”
“It is poorly optimized though.”
“Performance FPS sometimes drops when changing from evening to night, then if you play the game for too long the FPS will drop (memory leak confirmed).”
- humor17 mentions
- 88 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players enjoying the quirky NPCs and witty dialogue that adds a fun layer to the gameplay. Many find the interactions and character lines to be hilarious and sardonic, contributing to an overall lighthearted experience. While some moments may fall flat, the comedic elements, including amusing quests and funny sound effects, enhance the enjoyment of the game.
“It's a really fun game with witty and funny dialogue.”
“The characters are quirky and the dialogue is hilarious.”
“There's so many things to do, different job quest lines, things to explore, progress to make, and some really funny dialogue with some of the NPCs.”
“While you're on this grab this craft that collect those fish these cook those traverse this monotony, which is usually fun for me because it's usually tied to some kind of purpose or progression, you can look forward to obtaining exactly one resource (log, stone, etc) per several (6-8+) swings against each tree, rock, etc. Head into town to meet the mayor who throws a few unfunny quips and lets you pick a profession, all without explaining diddly squat about himself or the island other than a self-deprecating line about being a stamp guy or whatever.”
“10/10 crab luma knows the grapefruit method and it never is not funny”
- emotional11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally engaging, highlighting its heartfelt narrative and themes of perseverance and self-discovery set against a beautifully crafted tropical backdrop. The combination of exploration, problem-solving, and a soothing soundtrack enhances the emotional depth, making players feel a strong connection to the game's world and its inhabitants. Overall, the game is praised for its wholesome and nostalgic qualities, evoking a sense of warmth and emotional resonance.
“This game made me feel something I haven't felt in years.”
“The story, while simple, has just enough emotional pull to make you care about Luma Island, its inhabitants, and its mission.”
“Set on a secluded tropical island, the game masterfully blends elements of exploration and problem-solving with a heartfelt narrative that encourages self-discovery and resilience.”
- replayability9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the depth and variety offered through different roles and new saves, others feel it lacks sufficient diverse activities and content to encourage repeated play. Despite this, many players find value in the experience, especially after investing significant hours, and the option to replay dungeons adds some incentive for those looking for more gameplay.
“This mechanic not only provides depth but also encourages replayability as players experiment with various roles.”
“So in terms of replayability, there's always something new if you choose to start a new save/play with different groups of players.”
“A fun game with replayability.”
“However, I think it is lacking a bit of replay value and could benefit from some of the suggestions.”
“I suspect this won't have much replayability for me, but I'm nearly 70 hours in and that feels like I've definitely gotten my money's worth already.”
“I don't think there is much replay value, though, since there's not much else to do.”
- character development2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is perceived as lacking depth, with players feeling that the story and interactions with townsfolk are underwhelming and not worth the time investment. However, the game's charming visuals and character designs are praised for their appeal, contributing to a cozy atmosphere.
“Soft pastels, cozy lighting, and the cutest character designs that make you want to pinch their little cheeks.”
“I can see this being a fun multiplayer because you should be able to divvy up roles and needs for your 'farm' and kill the grindy part of the game down, but when it comes to story building, character development, and interacting with townsfolk, it feels like a waste of time.”
