First Impressions: Sugardew Island: Your Cozy Farm Shop

Game: Sugardew Island: Your Cozy Farm Shop
Developer: Rokaplay
Publisher: Rokaplay & Silver Lining Interactive
Review Platform: Steam via Steam Deck
Release Date: 7th March 2025

Author’s Note: A Game Key for Sugardew Island: Your Cozy Farm Shop was kindly provided by Mark Allen PR

Are you looking for something new to play? A game that is completely chilled, laid back and comes with zero pressure? How about a game inspired by the much loved Nintendo DS Harvest Moon games? Then welcome to your next favourite cozy game, Sugardew Island!

In Sugardew Island, you get the opportunity to run your own farm shop. A place where you can sell an array of different items to the local Forest Folk. Take care of animals, harvest crops, gather resources and, revitalise the island.

Better still, Sugardew Island is a game that the team have created to intentionally be uncomplicated. A game that you can pick up and unwind with no matter how long you play for. No stress, no pressure just happy farming shop vibes!

The Story of Sugardew Island

Prior to you, the player, arriving on the island, and in the years before the current day, humans, animals and Forest Folk would live peacefully and in perfect harmony with one another. A seed, that was cared for and nurtured by all islanders, unbeknown to them, would grow into what is known as the Harmony Tree. However, humans decided that the Harmony Tree should be felled, disrupting the balance of the island. With that, the nature forced the many animals and Forest Folk of the island to flee. This resulted in the island turning to ruins and becoming unrecognisable. Now, it is your task to help do what ever it takes to bring the island back to its former glory!

Key Features

Farming: Take care of a variety of plants and crops as well as making fertilizer
The Farm Shop: Sell items in your very own shop and negotiate prices with the local Forest Folk
Resource Gathering: Gather wood, stones, and weed to help improve your farm
Character Editor: Customize your character’s look to create your perfect in game persona
Animals: Feed, interact and build friendship with your animals to gain milk and eggs
Pet Companions: Name them, interact with them and let them explore the island with you
Harmony Tree Quests: Complete orders from the Harmony Tree and upgrade areas of the island
Trader Tomte: Buy seeds, animals and much more from this friendly and helpful island trader
Upgrade System: Make improvements to your house, barn and tools to enhance their efficiency

First Impressions

If you want a super cosy, stress-free farming simulation game to play, then this is your game!

Amongst diving into Sugardew Island, real life has been incredibly hectic, and this game has been the perfect game to unwind with on Steam Deck these past few days. Whether it’s been for a short amount of play time or a longer session, there’s not been a single ounce of pressure to progress. There’s even been times when I’ve just sat and enjoyed the game’s music and just the ambient noise in game.

However, that aside, from what I’ve played of Sugardew Island so far, I can not fault it in the slightest. Arriving on a new island after your boat was damaged, you slowly get to work with helping restore the island back to its former glory. It can seem daunting, but at the same time not, with how the team behind the game have done it in a way where you calmly flow into the game and get started.

After establishing what had happened and what to somewhat expect going forward, it was time to jump in and get going. I had a field covered in resources to clear, a farm and crops to start working on as well as running my farm shop for the locals. While it did sound terrifying to start with, it was very far from that. It was actually really easy and great fun.

I found myself settling into a bit of a daily routine. Harvesting crops and resources, opening my shop to earn Harmony and Sugardew with the hope of completing quests for the Harmony Tree. Completing the various Harmony Tree quests to unlock new areas of the island, new animals and more. Of course, with more being unlocked, the more this routine was adapted.

While I know I’m still quite early on in the game, I know there’s still a good few hours of gameplay to go! I’m excited to see what else the game has planned for me, as well as unlocking the remaining animals, finishing the Harmony Tree quests and watching my cozy little farm shop grow!

As stated at the start of this post, I played the game on Steam Deck. The game ran smoothly on its default settings and while the controls took a short time to get used to, soon they were second nature. Display wise, the game was pleasant to play on the Steam Deck and the text size was still easily readable when playing. I did experience a few frames drops here and there, but nothing that overshadowed my experience with Sugardew Island.

Luckily, the game automatically saves each time you sleep in game. That certainly saved me a few times. I lost some gameplay due to forgetting to sleep when putting the Steam Deck down, but not enough progress to be concerned about.

Based on what I’ve played of the game so far and knowing I still have a portion of the storyline to complete, my overall experience has been fun and enjoyable. I do have to agree with the game being uncomplicated and stress-free, as well as being easy to pick up and put down regardless of how long you can play for.

For me, the fact that you can run your own farm shop and sell goods that you acquire throughout the game helps Sugardew Island stand out against other farming simulation games. I will admit, it’s always interesting to see what the Forest Folk will pick up or if they’ll be one you’ll have to potentially negotiate with!

Sugardew Island: Your Cozy Farm Shop Release Details

Sugardew Island launches digitally on PC (Steam), PlayStation 4 & 5, Nintendo Switch and, Xbox Series S/X digitally today, 7th March 2025. A Physical release for the game on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 will be following shortly on 14th March 2025.