3.5/5 ★ – Dani_fr's review of Coral Island.

Coral Island is another cozy farming game, but it stands out in a few key ways. In some aspects, I even find it better than Animal Crossing. What I really appreciate is that, beyond just managing your farm, the game has an actual storyline. The lore of the Merfolk is particularly interesting, adding depth to the world. Just when I was starting to feel burnt out around the 100-hour mark, the game surprised me by introducing the ability to transform into a mermaid, which completely refreshed my experience. I also enjoy the inclusion of combat, even if it’s minimal—it adds a nice layer of variety. The characters are another highlight, as they are well-designed and engaging. However, if there’s one area where Animal Crossing does better, it’s in home customization. The decoration options in Coral Island feel more limited in comparison. Unfortunately, my biggest issue with the game was the trophy system. Playing on PS5, I didn’t unlock a single trophy—the system is completely bugged. Because of this frustrating technical flaw, I had to drop my rating to 3 stars.