Starsand Island is live on Xbox Game Pass. Here’s the release time, price, platforms and what early reviews are saying.
Starsand Island is available now on Xbox Game Pass as of February 11, one day earlier than announced.
Starsand Island Is Out Now on Xbox Game Pass
You can start playing at the global launch times:
- 9am PST / 12pm EST
- 5pm GMT / 6pm CET
The Starsand Island release time marks the moment this indie cozy game goes live on Xbox Series X|S platforms and PC, with access through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass. If you want to get it:
- the Standard edition costs $39.99
- the Deluxe edition costs $59.99
What Is Starsand Island?
Starsand Island is a cozy farming simulation game built around relaxing, creating, and exploring. You move at your own pace and choose what to focus on each day. The main things include:
- farming, fishing, and light combat that stay simple and low-stress
- countryside villa building and customization, from interior design to the surrounding landscape
- island exploration mechanics across multiple areas, including the Moonlit Forest area
- building relationships with NPCs
- animal companions like capybaras, cats, and dogs that add charm
Overall, it’s calm and player-driven, ideal if you enjoy the cozy life simulation genre and open-ended sandbox play without pressure or strict goals.
Starsand Island Reviews – Early Impressions Breakdown
Early feedback is mostly positive but cautious, with critics noting the cozy loop while pointing out Early Access roadmap rough edges. Current impressions include:
- DualShockers – recommended: addictive loop and cozy feel, but some polish issues
- Loot Level Chill – 8/10: an “everything” life sim with strong presentation and a solid base
- ScreenHype – 8/10: welcoming farming, low-stress combat, rewarding exploration
- Nook Gaming – mixed: fun core loop, but bugs and tech issues hold it back
Several outlets are waiting before giving final scores because it’s still Early Access, with Summer 2026 full release planned. The foundations look strong, but the final verdict depends on how much improves before release.
Technical State and Early Access Context
The current build of Starsand Island shows strong potential, but some players have reported performance dips, light “jank”, and occasional optimization issues. It’s typical for Early Access release, and the studio is using this phase to actively refine and polish the game rather than presenting a finished product. We can expect a few improvements, including:
- performance patches to ensure smoother gameplay and reduce frame drops
- bug fixes and stability updates that address technical hiccups
- quality-of-life improvements shaped by community feedback and suggestions
The goal is a full release in Summer 2026 with regular updates before then. Early Access here simply means the game is still in progress.
FAQ
- Is it on Game Pass? – Yes, available day one on Xbox Game Pass (Console & PC).
- How much does it cost? – Standard edition $39.99, and Deluxe $59.99.
- Is Starsand Island Early Access? – Yes, it’s currently in Early Access with full release planned for Summer 2026. Updates and improvements are ongoing based on player feedback.