This game was reviewed using the Allied Stinger-A: RTX 4060 Ti 8GB Gaming PC.
As part of Steam Next Fest, I dived into a number of game demos, from open world medieval adventures to roguelike hack and slack RPGs. But one game stood out in my house more than any other… A game with adorable graphics and familiar gameplay elements, introducing Amber Isle, an Animal Crossing-styled dino adventure!
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Amber Isle immediately captured my attention with its vibrant, charming art style. The game world is lush with colourful landscapes, from dense jungles to serene beaches, inhabited by an array of cute and quirky dinosaur characters.
Each dinosaur has its own unique personality, bringing a sense of life and community to the game (shoutout to Mayor Clawsworth, we know he only wants what’s best).
Perfect for the whole family!
I played this one with my young kids and it was an absolute hit.
The character creator is full of little details to add to your dinosaur, from colours to tails, though some of the options I couldn’t really see or at least tell what was changing. Making the perfect dinosaur was my kid’s favourite part.
After creating your dinosaur, you set off on your Paleoventure – a right of passenger for all dinosaurs in the Amber Isle universe. While traveling across the land, you fall from a hot air balloon and crash through the roof of a shop on Amber Isle.
You’re tasked to make repairs, and then make up for the mess you’ve caused.
Exploring Amber Isle
Amber Isle’s gameplay is engaging and accessible, making it perfect for players of all ages. The mechanics are reminiscent of town simulation games, with a focus on exploration, crafting, and building relationships with the island’s residents.
What truly sets Amber Isle apart, however, is its heartwarming narrative and the sense of community on offer. The game’s story is filled with moments of humour, friendship, and even a touch of mystery!
The interactions with the dinosaur residents are particularly endearing, as you form bonds and learn more about their individual stories and personalities. Eventually, new residents will move into the island, offering more fulfilling moments of friendship.
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The game ran mostly fine, that was until it broke down – though easily forgiven…
While editing the shop, we seemingly hadn’t created enough items to fill the displays and couldn’t complete the quest, this left us locked in the editor. The kids didn’t mind too much, they restarted, made a new dino and went off on a new adventure.
My eldest spent the afternoon building her dino world, running her shop — “Flute’s Fancy Fluff ‘n’ Stuff” — the demo has plenty to offer, at least until the game broke again… But what do you do? It’s a demo…
Amber Isle has been added to the Wishlist.
It’s certainly one my whole family will be keeping an eye on! Hopefully, developers Ambertail Games can iron out the bugs and release a perfect dino adventure. Amber Isle is a delightful and captivating game that is a standout title among the many offerings of Steam Next Fest.
You can check out the Amber Isle demo on Steam today.
