Steam drops free download for anticipated sequel

I’m a huge fan of Islanders, on PC - a very minimal city builder that puts chill vibes above everything else.

It’s the ultimate cosy game, asking very little of players, and rewarding them with gorgeous visuals and delightful moments when everything comes together, in the indie gem on Steam.

Islanders: New Shores is available now on Steam

If you’ve never played the original Islanders, you should grab it, because it’s less than the price of a fancy coffee.

If you’d rather wait, and play the sequel, well you’re in luck, as a demo just dropped for Islanders: New Shores, and this new game expands the original.

Whether you’re new to the series, or played the first game to death, you’ll likely fall head over heels for this follow-up.

Essentially, players are scored as they place buildings that work well with each other, like farms near windmills.

Points stack up for those wanting to chase high scores, but there’s also a laid back sandbox mode, too.

With over 44 building types, across six different biomes, players will be able to strategically place buildings to synergise with each other and create jaw-dropping landscapes.

New features include a dynamic scoring system for those who want to ‘gameify’ their playthrough; there’s also an expanded soundtrack for perfect vibes while playing.

One intriguing addition is boons, which will allow for single-use power ups, that allow for big point scoring, or more synergies between buildings.

Islanders and this follow up are visually stunning, with simplistic graphics and lush colour palettes that create picturesque vistas, perfect for the game’s built-in photo mode.

The full game launched on 24 March, but if you’re hesitant to buy in right away, it’s worth checking out the demo first, and exploring everything the game has to show.

I know I’ll be buying this and losing many hours to perfecting my silly little cities.