[3] Players control a customizable protagonist who has become disenchanted with city life and moves to a small farming community on a tropical island.

The player makes it their goal to revive the island and stop Pufferfish Corporation from taking control of the town, all while befriending the townsfolks and helping to increase the museum's popularity.

After it entered early access in October 2022, Humble Games released Coral Island for Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on November 14, 2023.

Stairway Games released a statement via Twitter addressing the issue, stating "[W]e share in your frustrations regarding the lack of a Nintendo Switch port of Coral Island.

"[11] They reiterated the Humble Games was responsible for the console releases including the Switch version and the restructuring added a great deal of uncertainty moving forward.

[15] The project places significant emphasis on eco-conscious themes, such as environmental sustainability and the preservation of coral reefs, resonating with contemporary concerns around ecological issues.

[16] One notable feature is the sea diving mechanic, which allows players to clean the ocean of debris and revitalize coral reefs, contributing to marine conservation efforts.

Coral Island received positive feedback for the LGBT options and representation for the player character and game mechanics.

Salomé Grouard writing for the South China Morning Post wrote that some countries in Southeast Asia still have punishment legalization for homosexuality issues such as Singapore, Malaysia, and some parts of Indonesia or counties that don't provide equal treatment for LGBT rights.

[20] Stairways Games has been translating Coral Island into multiple languages according to Kickstarter stretch goals and surveys on social media platforms.

[6] GamesRadar said that although the gameplay was similar to other farm sims, especially Stardew Valley, Coral Island implemented it well and added their own unique twists.

It was nominated for the "Sit Back and Relax" category at the 2023 Steam Awards, reflecting its appeal as a cozy, immersive game Additionally, it was a 2024 entrant in the Independent Games Festival, highlighting its status as a notable indie title With its tropical setting and unique environmental themes, Coral Island was celebrated as a hidden gem by GameSpot, which emphasized its relaxing gameplay, visually engaging environment, and commitment to sustainability.

Mining and diving have their adventurous themes, and various in-game locations, such as the Beach Shack, General Store, and Blacksmith, feature unique tracks that enhance immersion.

The game's additional downloadable content (DLC) includes this full soundtrack, available on platforms like Steam for those interested in experiencing the music outside of gameplay.

The soundtrack highlights the commitment of Coral Island to create an atmospheric and culturally resonant experience within its simulation setting.