Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 78 | 15 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 94% | 89 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 99% | 95 | 6 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 18 reviews sampled · 15 total reviews in window · weighted 8.8 up / 0.1 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (33)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 85
“Islanders: Console Edition is a very good addition to the Nintendo Switch's library. It is the the perfect game to take on the go, to play in short bursts or for longer spells. For this price you can't really go wrong.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Islanders is an elucidation of how games build meaning from abstract systems. However, more than that elucidation, Islanders gave us the time to ponder. It’s a repetitive, extended, calming experience that uses just enough power of just narrow enough a collection of faculties to induce a half-aware presence in reality. Which is when you think up all the dumbest questions: could it be that contemplating the meaning of life is the meaning of life? Woah.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“This budget title, at first glance, looked like it may be a sim of sorts... but if that's what got you excited, be warned, that isn't what you'll find here...”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Islanders: Console Edition leans heavily into a relaxing, almost drowsy vibe. While that’s kind of the point, and makes it great for those who just want to unwind before the day ends, it’s probably a bit too simple in its premise. The game is a bit rough around the edges, with the occasional level-ruining bug, as well as the somewhat unfair RNG. Thankfully, this game is often very affordable - especially when on sale. If curious, the price of admission tends to be low.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Islanders doesn't necessarily reinvent the wheel and may have a few control issues, but it still provides a hugely enjoyable time that's always there to dive into between other games. It also has a very enticing price point of £4.19 / $4.99. The game has quickly become a perfect title to wind down with when extended sessions of Splitgate have aggravated us or the intense subject matter of Lost Judgment has become too much. If you’re looking for something to break up your gaming life, Islanders: Console Edition is a fantastic choice.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Meanwhile, if you're just here to relax and create detailed island dioramas, Sandbox Mode is the way to go. Here, you can build to your heart's content without having to worry about score modifiers, switching islands at will. And it helps that Islanders is very aesthetically pleasing; there's real satisfaction to be found in the simplistic art style as you decorate each landscape.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“I wish the controls were a bit more refined and that some buildings came with a few more tips on where to place them. But for this small package, it has quite a lot of content that kept me satisfied. If you were to send me off to a deserted island and I could only bring one game, this one would certainly be on my list of choices.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“ISLANDERS: Console Edition is an exercise in relaxation. Unlike most of its peers, the experience here has no set challenge or competitiveness, it's rather based on laying down buildings in certain patterns and getting points for it on procedurally generated islands. While this is certainly very appealing for players looking for a game that offers nothing but a relaxing time, those hoping for something more challenging will have a hard time finding that in ISLANDERS.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“This thoughtful spin on strategy is a classic on PC and a delight on Switch.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Islanders is the perfect strategy game for people who love that genre or gamers who are just getting into it. It's a simple game that is incredibly addictive and is very hard to master! I hope more industry and building packs become available as time goes on!”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Islanders is a great addition to the strategy or even the puzzle genre on the Switch. A lovely game to play a short session with over a cup of tea or coffee. For longer gaming sessions and for more of a challenge you can try to beat the highest score of the online leader board. For the few pounds or dollars, the game is in the eShop it is definitely worth trying out Islanders you won’t be disappointed!”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Islanders is a deceptively simple puzzle game where you build little cities to score points. More importantly, it's the absolutely perfect game for making beautiful picturesque villages you can fall asleep and dream about.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
Nintendo Life
Nindie Spotlight
Cubed3
Pure Xbox
Push Square
NintendoWorldReport
Starbit
Eurogamer
GameGrin
LadiesGamers.com
TechRaptor…and 21 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Islanders Halloween Update 🎃Oct 18, 2023
- Islanders Summer Update 🏝️Aug 30, 2023
- Islanders Easter PatchMar 30, 2023
- Islanders Valentine's Day PatchFeb 9, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Notes - Jan 2023Jan 16, 2023
- Patch Fix following the Content UpdateDec 23, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Islanders Content Update!Dec 21, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Bug Fix UpdateJul 18, 2019
- Cloud Save & Small FixesMay 20, 2019
- Water Plateau HotfixMay 9, 2019
- CONTENT UPDATE IMay 7, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- Savegame HotfixApr 12, 2019