Japanese life sim RPG Starsand Island inspired by Stardew Valley becomes Steam Next Fest success

Starsand Island, a new anime life sim RPG from Japan inspired by Stardew Valley, is gaining strong traction on Steam

A new Japanese life simulation RPG inspired by Stardew Valley has become one of the standout titles of Steam Next Fest.

Starsand Island, developed by Seed Lab, combines farming, exploration, and role-playing mechanics in a relaxed island setting that the creators describe as more “carefree” than its Western influences.

Seed Lab said the idea came from playing Stardew Valley and other similar titles, but wanting a more open and unstructured experience.

The studio raised over $300,000 earlier this year through Kickstarter to develop the project. Since its debut on Steam Next Fest, the demo has received over 600 user reviews, with around 87% rating it positively.

Players can explore the island, learn professions such as fishing and crafting, take on quests in a JRPG style, and build relationships with characters.

The game allows players to shape their own experience rather than follow a fixed progression path, which the developers say supports a “‘do-what-I-want’ country life” concept.

The game features a soft, painterly anime art style that has drawn comparisons to Genshin Impact. Its detailed island city, expressive character models, and lively animals have been praised by early players for their charm and visual appeal.

While the demo shows some minor technical issues, such as long load times and mild animation stutter, fans have said they expect improvements ahead of its full release, planned for early 2026.

Reviewers have compared Starsand Island to Fantasy Life I: The Girl Who Steals Time for its mix of exploration, combat, and customisation.

With its strong early reception, the title appears to be building momentum as one of the most talked-about indie games of Steam’s latest festival.

Starsand Island is due for release in the first quarter of 2026.