Hello Kitty Island Adventure [PC] | REVIEW

Hello Kitty Island Adventure is a charming life-sim experience that creatively blends exploration, questing, and fun mini-games together within a colourful world that’s brought to life by Hello Kitty and other fan-favourite Sanrio characters. Admittedly, I wasn’t too sure what to expect before I started playing, but after spending close to twenty-hours with Hello Kitty and co, I keep finding myself coming back for more.

Check out some screenshots down below:

From the moment you… uh… balloon your way down onto Big Adventures Park with your delightfully designed character, Hello Kitty Island Adventure wraps you in a warm, welcoming world filled with opportunities for exploration and discovery. Your adventure begins with the goal of restoring the once-bustling park, which has fallen into disrepair and needs a bit of love and care. Guided by Hello Kitty and her friends, you’re tasked with rebuilding attractions and helping its residents, with additional areas and opportunities opening up as you progress.

It’s a rewarding gameplay loop that doesn’t rely on passive daily routines alone, with Hello Kitty Island Adventure keeping things fresh with its quest-driven narrative. There’s always a purpose to the tasks you complete, whether that’s when crafting a gift for a friend, repairing a bridge to access a new area, or simply gathering resources to restore a beloved landmark, with the sense of progression offered proving to be both rewarding and addictive. It ensures that each day on the island feels meaningful and fun, and whilst it’s also possible to just enjoy the sort of casual life-sim daily tasks that players might be used to in the genre, it also gives those who like working towards clear objectives something to strive for.

It’s all complemented by an expansive and beautifully designed world that always feels special to be a part of. The island is vast and varied, with distinct zones reflecting each character’s personality, whether that’s with the sandy beaches and lush forests or the spooky mansions and magical underwater realms. Every corner of the island simply invites exploration, whilst the Sanrio charm feels ever-present in each location you venture across. Sunblink have done a really good job of pulling players into this alluring world of Hello Kitty and making every moment within it feel special and cute.

“Hello Kitty Island Adventure offers a delightful life-sim adventure that’s filled with fun, charm, and countless fan-favourite characters.”

The game masterfully balances freedom with guidance, encouraging players to venture off the beaten path while keeping objectives clear and accessible. Exploration is made all the more enjoyable thanks to your varying traversal abilities, allowing players to venture that bit further to reach the hidden nooks and crannies in their surroundings. It helps make exploration captivating, with it always a joy to uncover each secret around you.

Whilst it has a lot going on, at its core, Hello Kitty Island Adventure is all about building friendships and forming bonds with its delightful cast of Sanrio characters. Each character is brought to life with their unique personalities and storylines, bringing a sense of depth and charm to every interaction that’s often missing from games like this. Nobody feels like a wandering NPC, with each instead playing a special role within the island. It’s something that titles such as Animal Crossing have nailed in the past, so it’s great to see that Hello Kitty Island Adventures manages it too. And, of course, players can expect plenty of fan-favourite characters to show up on their adventure, and as someone who has a daughter who loves My Melody and Kuromi, it felt special to share the game with her and see her face light up when they showed up.

The friendship progression system encourages players to engage with characters through quests, gifts, and conversation, but these interactions aren’t just for show, with players unlocking new quests, areas, and customization options that ensure each relationship you forge is rewarding. It’s a refreshing approach that goes beyond superficial dialogue alone, allowing players to genuinely connect with each character as they learn about their dreams, worries, and adventures (or just what items they might want from you). It might sound a little cheesy, but it’s surprising just how endearing it can all be.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Hello Kitty Island Adventure is packed with activities to keep players entertained and engaged. The island is bursting with quests, puzzles, and collectibles, whilst every resource you find serves a purpose. There are plenty of options when it comes to creatively customising your character and surroundings, so if you’re one of those players that like to fine-tune every aspect of their life and home, you’re in for a treat. The customization options were genuinely impressive, with an array of outfits, accessories, and colour palettes on offer to personalize your character and a whole slew of furniture to make your island home really feel like your own.

I think one of the things that impressed me the most was just how deep the gameplay loop could be. The game features a delightful assortment of dungeons, puzzles and minigames that add a playful twist to exploration, whilst there’s always the opportunity to relax when fishing or doing a spot of gardening. It’s kid-friendly too, with the puzzles designed to be accessible and engaging to ensure that players of all ages can enjoy them without frustration. Just be warned: there is a lot of reading involved, which is worth bearing in mind if you’re looking to let younger children play.

Visually, Hello Kitty Island Adventure is an absolute delight. The art style is vibrant and colourful, perfectly capturing the whimsical essence of Sanrio’s beloved characters and world. Every area of the island is meticulously crafted with attention to detail, helping create an immersive environment that always feels a treat be a part of. I won’t lie, before playing, I didn’t expect to find myself so engaged in the world, but wow, I’m constantly excited to keep coming back for more. Whether you’re fishing by a tranquil lake, exploring a spooky mansion, or watching the sunset over the ocean, the experience is consistently heartwarming and joyful, with it hard not to have a big smile on your face when playing. What more could you ask for?

Developer: Sunblink
Publisher: Sunblink
Platform(s): PC (Reviewed), PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2495100/Hello_Kitty_Island_Adventure/