The image shows a very blue sky and sea, with a large yellow boat with green trees growing on what seems to be a garden atop it. The boat is lead by a large, pink aquatic-cross dinosaur looking creature, which is looking back and smiling at the boat. It also wears an orange flower on its head. The white text in the upper left corner reads 'Collector's Cove'.

Read Time:4 Minute, 55 Second

I will be checking out a new cosy game by VooDooDuck. We play as a Collector, in Collector’s Cove, who aims to be the best and hopefully meet our parents one day. Before that can happen we need to team up with our new aquatic friend, the FableFin and fill up our book. It looks relaxing, and something to switch off your brain too. If that sounds like something you need, then it is out on Steam now!

Gotta plant’em all, collect-a-thon!

Gameplay

The whole aim of the game is to collect various fish and plants to fill your compendium. Collector’s Cove keeps this interesting by giving each fish/plant their own fabled variant. Which is uncovered by obtaining the same item a couple of times. Since the game is meant to be relaxing, this is not that hard to do, thanks to shops and the easy fishing mechanics. After doing that, a text will explain how exactly to uncover the fabled variant. For example, placing three flowers around a watermelon seed will turn it into a honeydew melon. Other variants have more interesting designs, like the DoctorFish; a variant to the SurgeonFish.

A book entry for the fish called Doctorfish. On the right is information for the fish itself. At the bottom is how to unlock it. — I am a Sturgeon?

Most of the time we are sailing on a ship which is pulled by our companion, the FableFin. This cute and elegant creature is customisable, and you are able to fit it with different accessories that you find or purchase. We do get to visit different islands, which hold resources for us to improve our tool and ship, by selecting on the map where you wish to go. Once chosen, the player will take small amounts of time to get there. In the meantime you can fish or occasionally collect resources floating across the sea with the plunger gun.

What to do with your fish and plants.

There isn’t much use to the plants and fish beyond collecting them for the book. Your companion is able to eat them to recover stamina, or consume fabled variants to increase your bond. Feeding it for stamina seemed pointless to me, and you only really need them to craft bait or fertilizer. But even then, those two items are only to get the special variants, and once you have them you might as well sell them.

A fishing mini-game, with the game showing a white line connected to a white silhouette. On the right is the character reeling it in by lifting the rod in their hands. Other fish are seen swimming around. — All most get him.

And speaking of selling, Collector’s Cove has three stores for the player to shop at. All of which are run by your uncles. The first sells produce, and will buy your leftover products. Second will allow the player to trade materials for other materials, and also improve your ship. And lastly is the mysterious uncles who you must first find in each reload of the map. He sells accessories, blueprints for decorations, info on how to create certain bait/fertilizer.

Companion upgrades and new worlds.

Our FableFin companion bond in Collector’s Cove, gives the player new perks that will aid either themselves or the companion itself. Some of these are speed, and increased stamina, but another is blessings. The one I had unlocked let me gather more materials from islands for a time. However, it did not go for fish and plants. Tools can also be improved to cut down, stronger trees, and at quicker pace. Or the watering can being able to pour in a larger area.

A large dinosaur-like head popping out of the ocean. One person is on a platform hugging them while another is stood nearby. A nest is seen in frame with two scrolls laying in it. — You can give your new friend cool accessories too!

We also visit other biomes after reaching a certain Collector’s Rank which will open up more variety of fish, as well as new materials. These will be need to further improve your ship, and tools. If you wish to return to a previous area, the player can at any point via the map.

Graphics & Audio

The colour palette in Collector’s Cove is best described as sunset; lots of soft purple, pink and blue hues throughout. The textures could also be described as soft. While the graphics look by no means poor and unpolished, they have a softness to them which is easy on the eyes. The audio is in a similar vein; while it’s most certainly cheerful, it’s gently so, with most of the music sounding sleepy and light. Enough to notice, but not enough to get old fast. The spooky biome was my preferred place to travel. As it comes across as if the devs enjoyed making the area. With the cool flowers to pick-up, green water, and creepy eyes in the trees.

A character in blue stood on a wooden bridge, further down a river is a bridge not yet lowered. To the right is a pink cherry blossom tree. — A lovely theme for the area.

Longevity

As of writing this review, I have spent nearly 13 hours on Collector’s Cove. And this was mainly in the starting biome, as I wanted to get everything before moving on. Unfortunately I need to upgrade my ship before I can unlock some fish variants. For a cosy game you can sink a nice, carefree amount of time into it.

Final Thoughts

Collector’s Cove offers, an easy and comfortable grind for the player to enjoy. The upgrading of the ship can seem a little too grindy at times, more so when you need to slowly sail to each island. Control are simple with nothing to heavy to learn. Management of inventory is not as tedious as you would expect, thanks to being able to return to the ship whenever. I would definitely say it is a nice game to wind down to. That is why I am giving Collector’s Cove the Thumb Culture Gold Award. Now, back to filling up my book.

If you are looking for some more cosy games, why not check out Charlies reviews?

Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.

About Author

Kyle McGrath

I’ve enjoyed video games for as long as I remember and I don’t think there isn’t a game I wouldn’t play. For reviews, I try my best to make them simple and easy to understand. With so many games released daily, I attempt to play them all.

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Collector’s Cove – PC Review