Upcoming Steam and Switch Game Looks Like Animal Crossing With Dinosaurs

gamerant.com:

Fans of cozy games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons have a new game to keep an eye on as Amber Isle has been announced for Nintendo Switch and Steam. This in-development game with Animal Crossing vibes puts an intriguing and adorable spin on the genre by placing players on an island full of dinosaurs and other prehistoric life.

Thanks to the success of games like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing, the cozy game genre has increased in popularity over the years. Unlike action-oriented titles, cozy games emphasize more laid-back gameplay with lower stakes, and this style has struck a chord with many gamers. As a result, the market has become saturated with these types of titles. Despite games in the genre facing the challenge of standing out from the crowd, Amber Isle might have what it takes to catch many gamers’ attention.

Recently announced by developer Ambertail Games and publisher Team17, Amber Isle is described as a blend of shop management and social simulation gameplay. While there might be other games featuring these elements, Amber Isle looks to differentiate itself through its prehistoric aesthetic. Specifically, the game world is populated by many dinosaurs and other animal friends, such as Ice Age mammals and Permian amphibians. Altogether, 48 different “Paleofolk” can be befriended in the game, and the developer has revealed they each come with “unique personalities, preferences, dialogue, and quests” to keep things interesting. Players can also create their own custom character thanks to what appears to be a robust creation toolset.

Besides the Paleofolk, the announcement trailer for Amber Isle revealed details about what players can expect from the upcoming sim game. Specifically, it focuses on shop management, with the player required to design and run a shop in their prehistoric community. According to the developer, players need to earn profit to receive new cosmetics for their place of business.

Beyond designing a successful shop to earn money,