When Luma Island fell into my hands, I was a little apprehensive. I’ve played more farming games than I can count, from Stardew Valley to Sun Haven, and they all have that familiar loop: plant, water, harvest, sell, repeat. Comforting, yes… but predictable, and had me farmed out!
Luma Island caught me off guard because it doesn’t just stick to the fields. From the moment I stepped onto the island, I felt like I was part of a living world, one where farming is just one thread in a bigger, more adventurous tapestry.
You can spend an afternoon tending your crops, but the next day you might be diving into hidden temples, chasing pirate rumours, or befriending quirky Lumacreatures who follow you around like tiny, magical sidekicks. The new Pirates update pushes that even further; suddenly, I’m shipbuilding, treasure-hunting, and swapping silly banter with NPC pirates instead of just selling turnips at the market.
Positives of the Pirates update:
- It’s more than farming: Exploration, puzzles, minigames, and creature companionship make the game feel less like a job and more like a playground.
- Freedom of pace: Cosy Mode means I can skip combat entirely when I want a calm day, or ramp up the challenge when I’m in the mood.
- Pirate Cove: Packed with activities, new professions, and an atmosphere that makes you want to wander just for the fun of it.
- Little details that matter: Updated maps, landmark pins, and camera zoom options that make the world easier to navigate and enjoy.
Accessibility- calm seas and rough waters
The accessibility is where I felt the game both shine and stumble.
On the bright side:
- Difficulty modes give real flexibility, removing danger when I just want to relax, or letting me add challenge when I’m feeling adventurous.
- The camera zoom slider is a quiet hero. I can pull in close on smaller screens or when I need to focus on details.
Where it could be better:
- Gathering can be grueling, especially if you have limited mobility or fatigue easily; repeating the same long harvesting actions can be draining.
- Tool upgrades don’t feel like much of an upgrade; it’s still the same number of swings, which wears on my hands after a while.
- No save migration meant redoing everything after the update, which can be discouraging for players with less time or energy.
- While there are QoL improvements, there’s still room for features like remappable controls or more visual accessibility options.
Final Thoughts
I still find myself logging into Luma Island: Pirates just to watch the sun set over my little farm, or to take my Lumas on a silly fishing trip. It’s a game that feels like a safe place, warm, colourful, and welcoming, even if it occasionally makes things harder than they need to be.
What makes Luma Island different from the dozens of farming games I’ve played is how it invites you to adventure in all kinds of ways. One day can be pure farming and fishing, the next a pirate treasure hunt, and the next a calm exploration of a glowing cave with my Lumacreature companion trotting behind me.
It’s cosy without being boxed in, I could spend my time how I wanted, depending on my mood and pain levels that day. And while it’s not perfect, it’s the kind of game I keep coming back to.
If the devs keep expanding accessibility as much as they’ve expanded content, this could be the rare farming game that truly gives everyone a place to belong.
For me, the joy outweighs the frustrations. However, I wish that the game’s open-armed charm extended even further to players with different needs and limitations. With a few more accessibility tweaks, Luma Island could be more than just cosy; it could be truly inclusive. Because an island this lovely? Everyone should get to call it home.
Platforms: Microsoft Windows
Genres: Adventure, Farming sim, Crafting
Developers: Feel Free Games
Publishers: Feel Free Games
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