Highlights
- Cozy farm sim Starsand Island was accidentally sold on the PS5 store months early.
- This was an error, as its official release isn't until February 2026.
- The few players who bought it have left positive early impressions
Starsand Island, a highly anticipated cozy farming sim, gave PlayStation 5 players a massive shock when it suddenly appeared for sale on the PlayStation Store. The game, which draws heavy comparisons to Stardew Valley, was accidentally released nearly two months early. Its official launch, announced at the Tokyo Game Show, is not scheduled until February 1, 2026.
This premature release, first reported by Gematsu, listed the game for $42.49, a full price point appearing well ahead of its official debut. This appears to be a digital store error exclusive to the PS5. On other platforms, like Steam, the game still correctly lists its release window as the first quarter of 2026 with no purchase option. The game is also planned for the Nintendo Switch and Xbox, but its storefront pages are not yet active for purchase.
The developers seem to have been caught completely by surprise. The game's official social media channels have not announced a release, with their latest posts celebrating the game's addition to over 400,000 wish lists. The team is reportedly working with Sony to correct the error and will likely pull the game from sale until its official launch date.
Lucky Players Praise Surprise Early Access
For the lucky few who managed to buy and download the game, early impressions are positive. A single five-star rating has already appeared on the PlayStation Store. This aligns with positive feedback from a playable demo on Steam in October, where players praised the game's deep customization options and anime-inspired, Studio Ghibli-like aesthetic.
Starsand Island is set to be a significant new entry in the booming cozy sim genre. Beyond the standard farming and ranching, it features a high degree of island customization, hidden treasures, and even vehicles.
It also boasts an advanced social system inspired by The Sims, which allows its NPCs to interact and form bonds with each other, creating a more dynamic and living world for players to explore.
