Apple Arcade review #54: Stranded Sails

Stranded Sails is an isometric adventure about exploration and discovery. And farming.

Unfortunately, the game took a long time to get started, so I never really got to grips with the core farming and exploration mechanics. There’s a lot of busywork in the first half hour, from getting the ship prepared for departure to chatting with the crew. It’s fine to be asked to untie one of the ropes to unmoor the ship: it’s a bit much to have to do all four, even if it takes less than thirty seconds. The amount of dialogue is fine and the dialogue itself is…fine? But it feels a bit generic and bland.

The zoomed out view makes it very hard to see the details in some locations; it works best when you’re outside. The tap to interact controls are also a bit finicky, requiring precise finger-placement on tiny objects. Navigating the environments sometimes requires finding little arrows to tap, and they’re only visible when you’re close. I would prefer to play this with a controller. For some reason, on the iPad, the game defaults to a virtual joystick and button layout. I’m not a fan.

The art is quite pretty. The game wouldn’t look out of place on the Nintendo Switch.

I can’t really speak to the quality of the main game, since I’ve just started exploring the first (of many?) islands, looking for survivors and establishing a community. Unfortunately, the story and characters didn’t pull me in, and I’m not motivated to keep exploring. The concept is sound, combining Stardew Valley with, uh, Lost? More like Swiss Family Robinson. But the execution, at least so far, lacks a strong mood and identity.

I think this game requires a fair bit of investment before it can shine, and if you can make it through the opening hour, the game might hook you. It’s got the ingredients for a tasty muffin. But I found it a bit half-baked.

Link: https://apps.apple.com/no/app/stranded-sails/id1473744957