Moonstone Island

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,997 reviews
  • grinding
  • gameplay
  • story
Moonstone Island Game Cover
Whether you're into tending to crops or collecting adorable monsters, Moonstone Island is a game you really shouldn't miss out on.
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Moonstone Island is a creature-collecting life-sim set in an open world with 100 islands to explore. Make friends, brew potions, collect Spirits, and test your strength in card-based encounters to complete your Alchemy training!Spend a year away from home on an island in the sky! Following your village's tradition, you must move to an island in the sky to complete your Alchemy training. Armed …

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,997 reviews
gameplay114 positive mentions
grinding633 negative mentions
  • Charming graphics and art style that evoke a cozy atmosphere.
  • Engaging gameplay that combines elements of farming, creature collecting, and card-based combat.
  • Diverse cast of characters and spirits, with a focus on inclusivity and representation.
  • Lack of depth in NPC interactions and character development, making relationships feel shallow.
  • Repetitive gameplay loop, especially in dungeons and resource gathering, leading to potential boredom.
  • Frequent crashes and bugs that disrupt gameplay and progress.
  • grinding637 mentions

    The reviews for "grinding" in the game highlight a mixed experience, with many players noting that while the game offers a variety of activities such as farming, creature collecting, and exploration, the farming aspect often feels tedious and underdeveloped. Some players appreciate the minimal grinding required for farming, as it allows for a more relaxed gameplay experience, while others find the leveling and resource gathering to be overly grindy and lacking in reward. Overall, the game is seen as a blend of genres, where farming serves more as a supportive mechanic rather than a central focus, appealing to those who enjoy a casual approach to gameplay.

    • “It is very fun to play through, while not being tedious until you start working on 3 of the achievements.”
    • “Would love to see more farming/alchemy related stuff and more NPC interactions, but still a solid 9/10.”
    • “This isn't a huge con if the game itself had an intended fixed story progression, but if you intended to play it in a Stardew-like way where you can keep going hypothetically for years, it just doesn't have the same appeal to me because the main part of the game is taming spirits, not farming.”
    • “The farming aspect of this game is not fun.”
    • “Planting and harvesting crops is super slow and tedious because you have to click each tile individually, and a lot of the time your character just won't perform the action because you weren't standing completely still or you clicked slightly off of the tile you were aiming for.”
    • “Farming feels more like a chore than a means of making money, which would be its only purpose.”
  • gameplay389 mentions

    The gameplay of Moonstone Island is a blend of cozy RPG elements, including farming, exploration, and creature collection, reminiscent of titles like Stardew Valley and Pokémon. Players engage in a variety of activities such as flying between islands, battling spirits using a card-based system, and crafting, though some mechanics, like fishing and social interactions, feel underdeveloped. While the game offers a charming aesthetic and a satisfying gameplay loop, many reviewers noted a lack of depth and polish in certain areas, leading to a repetitive experience over time.

    • “The gameplay involves flying between islands to explore them, foraging, mining, farming, fishing, dungeon clearing, spirit catching/battling, crafting, cooking, socializing/gifting, and collecting.”
    • “It's an incredible blend of cozy mechanics, creature collecting, and deck building.”
    • “The gameplay loop is refreshing and unique.”
    • “The game isn't perfect - there are definitely things that need to be fleshed out, for example the fishing mechanic, which feels like it was just put there out of obligation to the cozy game genre, and the social mechanic, which is pretty lackluster - you click a button and the game rolls a dice on whether the interaction was successful or not, and the dates are pretty short.”
    • “The gameplay loop is buggy and still very shallow.”
    • “There's a farming mechanic but it comes across as completely unnecessary, as if it was added because games like this usually have farming.”
  • story282 mentions

    The story in "Moonstone Island" is generally perceived as light and somewhat underdeveloped, with many players expressing a desire for deeper character relationships and more engaging narrative elements. While the game features a variety of quests and dungeons that contribute to the overall experience, the main storyline often feels disconnected from daily activities, leading to a lack of motivation to explore further. Overall, players appreciate the cozy atmosphere and humor but hope for future updates to enhance the storytelling and character depth.

    • “The story is captivating and unfolds at the perfect pace, keeping players hooked from start to finish.”
    • “Moonstone Island is not just a game; it's a magical, cozy journey that offers the best of both worlds for fans of storytelling and gaming innovation.”
    • “The story is engaging without being too pushy with driving you forward, and the sound effects evoke early Zelda in how pleasing to the ear they are.”
    • “The story is very boring and shallow; it feels like they put maybe a day or two into writing the lore and overall story.”
    • “The storyline and character development are severely lacking; the dates you can go on with the NPCs don't do much to progress the narrative other than revealing minor personality quirks of each character.”
    • “I really want this to be a great game, and I really hope that the developers work to improve the story and pacing. At this stage, I don't think I'll be finishing the game; the grinding would take far too long to find out any actual story, and it just doesn't feel worth it.”
  • graphics210 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their charming pixel art style, vibrant colors, and attention to detail, creating a cozy and visually appealing experience reminiscent of classic titles like Stardew Valley and Pokémon. Many players appreciate the cute character designs and the overall aesthetic, which evokes a sense of nostalgia and warmth, although some have noted occasional graphical glitches and performance issues. Overall, the art style is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.

    • “The graphics are beautiful, the characters are wonderful, and the gameplay itself is brilliantly fun.”
    • “The pixel art style is gorgeous and I'm so in love with their environments and aesthetics.”
    • “Moonstone Island's world is a feast for the eyes, offering stunning pixelated visuals reminiscent of the world of Studio Ghibli.”
    • “I didn't find the graphics to have any particular charm, nor did any of the characters seem particularly interesting.”
    • “Although one thing I've noticed, it has moments of lag for whatever reason; this isn't a graphic demanding game.”
    • “Though the game is cute graphically, I found it disappointing.”
  • music148 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its calming and nostalgic qualities, while others criticize its lack of variety and the absence of looping, leading to extended periods of silence. Some players enjoy the ambient soundscapes and find the soundtrack enhances the overall experience, but others feel that the music does not always fit the game's atmosphere or moments, particularly during combat. Overall, while the music is often described as beautiful and fitting for a cozy game, there are calls for improvements in its frequency and looping to enhance immersion.

    • “The music and the art were wonderful.”
    • “With its appealing art style, soothing soundtrack, and engaging activities, Moonstone Island offers a serene and enjoyable gaming experience for fans of the genre.”
    • “The music is calming and nostalgic; the characters are charming and attractive; the gameplay is easy to pick up.”
    • “The music doesn't loop at all though, so most of the game is spent in silence for some reason.”
    • “My only major complaints are that the game is quiet - not as in 'just turn the volume up, silly' quiet, but the music drops out and you are left with extended periods of silence.”
    • “The only issue is that the music doesn't seem to loop, and on longer play sessions, I find myself without music.”
  • humor32 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, quirky character designs, and playful dialogue, which often includes puns and pop culture references. Players appreciate the developers' comedic touch in patch notes and NPC interactions, contributing to a lighthearted and enjoyable atmosphere. Overall, the humor enhances the gaming experience, making it both fun and memorable.

    • “I can tell the creators are good at writing a story and are freaking hilarious.”
    • “The developers are hilarious and dedicated, constantly updating the game.”
    • “It's a nice relaxing game with a quirky sense of humor and it's definitely worth picking up if you enjoy Harvest Moon style games with some creature collecting on the side.”
    • “I guess they're supposed to be funny, but if I'm actually doing well in a game, I don't want to purposely do poorly to get achievements.”
    • “The humor feels forced and often falls flat, making it more annoying than entertaining.”
    • “I appreciate a good joke, but the attempts at humor in this game just feel out of place and disrupt the flow.”
  • optimization31 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly on the Steam Deck, including frequent stuttering, lag, and inconsistent frame rates. While some users noted smooth performance on high-end PCs, others experienced clunky controls and memory leaks, suggesting that the game could benefit from further optimization and polish. Overall, the game's performance is seen as a major drawback, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “This game runs smoothly, there are plenty of things to do.”
    • “Little to no stuttering or lag on my computer (which is quite old), charming characters, and of course the spirits are fantastic!”
    • “I feel like this game could be optimized more and some more features could be added for quality of life and just to bulk it out more but I am having a lot of fun with it.”
    • “I really want to love this game, but the performance on the Steam Deck is really inconsistent. It hits 60fps at times, then dips to 30 or less in the main town, and on a random empty island, it's 40 for some reason. On the daily save screen, I once went down to 2fps, and I thought I'd crash and lose my progression.”
    • “It does have one issue though: it seems to be not very well optimized and has some kind of memory leak, at least on the Steam Deck, that results in the game starting out fairly smooth and only slightly laggy in/around the town, but then becoming more laggy and stuttering more often over time.”
    • “There's a lot of performance issues with the game, with stuttering happening way too often.”
  • emotional26 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome and heartwarming nature, with players expressing strong attachments to the characters and the cozy environment. Many reviews highlight the game's creativity and charm, creating a nostalgic and joyful experience, although some players feel that certain mechanics, like the time system, can detract from the overall emotional immersion. Overall, it is praised for its cute aesthetics and relaxing gameplay, making it a delightful escape for those seeking a feel-good gaming experience.

    • “I am emotionally invested in these characters (read: Gaiana and Ossono) to a debilitating degree.”
    • “Brought to life with a heartwarming and beautiful art style that fills you with nostalgic love for every nook and cranny of the game, Moonstone Island is truly a beautiful game full of passion and creativity.”
    • “Living on the beach with Tobin and fishing together and going on dates with him has made me feel like Doki Doki for the first time in a game with romance in a very, very long time.”
  • stability23 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent glitches, freezes, and graphical issues that can disrupt gameplay. While some users have experienced minimal problems and found the game mostly playable, others have faced significant bugs that hinder progress and require frequent saving or restarting. Overall, the game appears to be in need of further patches to address these stability concerns.

    • “It's mostly bug-free, with no major issues after several hours of gameplay.”
    • “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or significant glitches.”
    • “I've experienced consistent performance throughout my playtime, which is impressive.”
    • “The game is a buggy mess.”
    • “Freezes that require a full alt+f4 happen frequently, and are even worse on Steam Deck; it's been known for months and not fixed yet.”
    • “I've already finished the first month and I love my trio of spirits so much, but there are so many glitches in the game it's hard to navigate sometimes.”
  • character development17 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally criticized for its lack of depth and variety, with many players finding NPCs to be one-dimensional and relationships difficult to build. While the character designs are often praised for their aesthetic appeal, they are frequently described as simplistic, reducing characters to only a couple of personality traits. Overall, the narrative progression through character interactions is seen as minimal, leaving players wanting more substantial development.

    • “Exciting character design, fun and intuitive controls, dynamic artwork and cozy soundscapes do great to make Moonstone Island one of my favorite comfort games this year.”
    • “Rich story, smooth mechanics, soft audible clicks, beautiful soundtrack, beautiful character designs.”
    • “It has the perfect blend of combat, farming, and exploration (all of which are only lightly reliant on one another) and adorable character designs.”
    • “NPCs lack character development.”
    • “The storyline and character development are, as of right now, still severely lacking. The dates you can go on with the NPCs don't do much to progress the narrative other than revealing minor personality quirks of each character.”
    • “I think the character design is boring, and it is super hard to build relationships in the game.”
  • atmosphere14 mentions

    The atmosphere of Moonstone Island is widely praised for its unique, whimsical, and cozy qualities, often compared to the enchanting vibes of Studio Ghibli and games like Stardew Valley. Players appreciate the beautiful art, relaxing music, and engaging gameplay, although some note that certain features feel unpolished. Overall, the game offers an enjoyable and immersive experience, making it a recommended choice for fans of charming, atmospheric games.

    • “I think Moonstone Island has a really unique atmosphere and feel to it that has been very engaging and enjoyable.”
    • “It had wonderful atmosphere, gorgeous art, and fun gameplay and would highly recommend to anyone even slightly curious about it.”
    • “Amazing combination of Stardew Valley atmosphere with Studio Ghibli vibes.”
    • “Atmosphere is the biggest win, but most of the characters, farming systems, and card mechanics just feel too unpolished or janky.”
    • “I love the art and atmosphere of this game, but my main problem is - none of the features advertised work that well to keep your attention.”
    • “I feel like this has probably taken away a bit of my enjoyment of the game as on PC there is a general atmosphere of cute and cozy audio.”
  • replayability11 mentions

    The game's replayability is mixed among users; while some appreciate the procedurally generated maps that offer unique experiences, others find the content lacking after completing the main storyline, leading to a sense of limited replay value. Many feel that the game lacks depth compared to other farming titles, and the absence of multiplayer features diminishes its long-term appeal. Overall, it seems that while there are elements that could encourage replay, they may not be sufficient for sustained engagement.

    • “Each playthrough is guaranteed to be unique, as the world is procedurally generated upon creation of your save file, sans the main hub town, so replayability is practically infinite.”
    • “The map is procedurally generated, adding significant replayability.”
    • “The procedurally generated map makes it very replayable.”
    • “There are quite a number of things to do in this game and there definitely is quite a bit of replayability, but after finishing the story, there doesn't seem to be much content.”
    • “The game is charming, but I don't feel the same level of replayability as I did for other farming games.”
    • “And frankly, the game has very little replay value.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game appears to be minimal, with users noting a lack of advertising despite the game's quality and appeal, particularly in its pixel graphics and farming elements. Overall, players seem to appreciate the game without feeling overwhelmed by ads or aggressive monetization strategies.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

Buy Moonstone Island

Play time

16hMedian play time
25hAverage play time
6-49hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 43 analyzed playthroughs

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