Like others, I have immersed myself in the world of Animal Crossing during the pandemic, finding solace and joy in its slice-of-life gameplay and charming characters. So, when news of Hello Kitty Island Adventures broke, a game that seemed to bear a striking resemblance to Animal Crossing but with the addition of beloved Sanrio characters, I was excited but skeptical at the same time. Find out if Hello Kitty Island Adventure lives up to the Animal Crossing legacy.

After customizing your character, you wake up in a style reminiscent of previous Animal Crossing games and find yourself and a lovable crew of Sanrio characters on a plane journey to Big Adventures Park on Friendship Island. Due to a malfunction involving cakes, a forced evacuation takes place sending you all plummeting towards the island only to discover it's been abandoned and in disrepair, You'll start your journey by reuniting with your Sanrio friends as you work together to repair parts of the island and manage its diverse facilities.

The game's style and gameplay resemble Animal Crossing, a welcoming sight for fans of the series. However, one distinct difference lies in the game's early linear progression, where the majority of features are initially locked behind the main story quests. These early quests are also tedious fetch quests that often involve backtracking. Imagine strolling through the vibrant landscapes, but you can't dive into the crystal-clear waters to get to the next area or pick up an item in the middle of a pond until you've completed the quest to craft a pair of flippers. As you work your way through the story quests, you'll eventually unlock new gameplay features and elements including the coveted mailbox that grants you the ability to teleport between mailboxes scattered across the enchanting islands.

As you progress through the game, you'll eventually be thrust into dungeons that introduce puzzle exploration elements. These puzzles are akin to the ones you'd find in a Zelda game. While for the most part they are relatively simple, it does help to break up monotonous quests in the game. Speaking of islands, each one is meticulously decorated. Environments are brightly colored and aesthetically pleasing. Some areas are also themed, dedicated to some of the character's unique personalities. For instance, you'll find Kuromi in a hauntingly Halloween-themed setting.

During my playtesting, I noticed a minor quirk in the game. When jumping around some walls or gates, the game occasionally triggers automatic teleportation, shifting your character a few feet away. It's likely an unstuck feature, ensuring you don't get trapped in peculiar places but it can be jarring at times.

One thing worth noting is that while the game is primarily designed for mobile devices, the content feels so rich that it feels it would have been better as a console experience. The opening act demands your full attention and time investment in unlocking various features, making it slightly challenging to play casually until most of them are accessible. Nonetheless, once you're past that hurdle, the rest of the game is focused on increasing your friendship level with each of the characters by giving them gifts. Eventually, once the island has been restored enough, you'll be able to have other Sanrio characters visit.

Hello Kitty Island Adventure also cleverly slips in nods to pop culture. For instance, Badtz-Maru's uproar about having enough cakes on a plane is most likely a reference to the 2006 "Snakes on a Plane" movie, and the game's title itself was first mentioned 17 years ago in an episode of South Park as a fictional game.

Hello Kitty Island Adventure offers an enticing experience for Sanrio and Animal Crossing enthusiasts alike. The combination of these beloved characters, captivating islands, puzzle exploration dungeons, and immersive gameplay creates a unique mobile experience that is accessible to players of all ages. So, if you're eager to explore a new relaxing land while waiting for the next Animal Crossing, hop on board and get ready to crash your way onto an island adventure!

Hello Kitty Island Adventure is now available on Apple Arcade.

_{Disclaimer: Early access to the game was provided for review purposes before its official release.}