Hello Kitty Island Adventure Review (nobleglobug)
I was actually waiting for this game to come out to replace my somewhat disappointment in AC:NH (that being said I do have 600 or so hours in it, thanks pandemic). Instead, what I was treated to was something more like Breath of the Wild.
I didn't expect there to be so much exploring, puzzles, crafting, questing. I'll admit, if only Animal Crossing had let me engage with the other villagers so much, I might have kept playing it. I'll list some pros and cons for the cozy gamers like me who are just looking for whether it's the right fit for the price tag:
__Pros:__
- Decorating is SUPER cute and easy, it makes me excited to collect pieces of sets. I'm loving the aesthetic of all the items!
- You can change your character literally anytime and for free (there's mirrors everywhere too!). This is even encouraged because characters will unlock palettes which you can use to change your fur colour.
- Unlocking things is actually fun! It gives Dreamlight Valley friendship tier rewards.
- No storage or inventory limit, so gather EVERYTHING you see all the time (you'll need it).
- Multiplayer was super cute! I enjoy it so far, and I love that you have quests to do together to raise your friendship level with that player (like both taking selfies in front of specific objects or completing races) rather most games where there's no interaction.
- You are rewarded for exploring SO MUCH. Peek in every nook and cranny, it's worth it!
- The puzzles are way too cute and fun. I missed things like these in cozy games.
__Cons:__
- You are relatively time-gated to things; one of the early quests requires you to unlock a snorkel, which is locked behind a character at a later friendship level, and you can only give 3 gifts an IRL day. So it does make getting specific things you need for quests a little annoying if you've taken off a whole day from work to play and get stuck needing to wait (hello, it's me haha).
- Some things aren't very straightforward and a bit confusing that lead to minor frustrations, like not being able to place an item on a table in decoration mode. You have to back out, then interact with the table. A few things like that where they just don't really make any sense. But they're not bad and far and few in between.
- CINNAMAROLL GET BACK HERE STOP TELEPORTING WHEN I FAST TRAVEL TO YOU LEMME GIFT YOUU--
__Could Go Either Way:__
- There's no currency, you just trade materials you've gathered around the island for clothes/furniture. While cool, I do enjoy having other ways to achieve things in most games (like whether they allow you to outright buy something, or if you wanna craft it for cheaper, etc.). I think it's a neat concept, but got a bit frustrated with it needing very specific items.
- Items respawn once an IRL day, from what I read. While they do allow you to grab quite a few things that it feels pretty good -- I'm only in my first day so we'll see if there's other ways as I progress -- it's also a little frustrating when you've cleaned off the beach but you need another sand dollar or something for an outfit and now you have to wait until tomorrow.
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__YES IF:__ You wanted Animal Crossing to be *more* (this is literally what I was hoping AC would have been), you like raising friendship levels and reading funny dialogue, you like Sanrio characters or the aesthetic, you like exploration and puzzles (there are LOTS), you like decorating/dressing up, you don't mind being time-gated.
__DO NOT IF:__ You liked time travelling in Animal Crossing. You actually have to be patient in this game and just wait or do other things (like fishing, cooking, bug catching, etc.). I enjoy that the game makes us slow down and think more things could use that actually chill pace. For those who like to just get everything and move on, you'll be too frustrated and likely won't enjoy it. OR if you do not enjoy the exploration or puzzle atmosphere of Breath of the Wild (albeit this is much, much easier).
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Overall, it's SO much more fun and cute than I expected! Holy wow I don't regret the price tag at all. I can easily see myself playing this for hundreds of hours over the course of me owning this game. I wish I could keep playing more, but getting to play since I woke up has been awesome! Cheers to the devs, this is such a robust and incredible game so far! Can't wait to see where it goes! -- 8/10!