It’s been a month since Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream released, with me enjoying its delights greatly. The weirdness factor has increased from the previous game, which I also loved. Though it does seem like a few things have been cut to make room for a lot more interaction and customisation. Though, looking out at an island of Miis wandering around is a lot nicer than only seeing them in specific areas.

It was obvious what the name of this island was going to be, considering the characters I was going to bring to it. Halesowen Island started out small, with the alternate version of me (or should I say – Mii) being the first character on the island. Since I hadn’t transferred data from Switch to Switch 2, I couldn’t just import them from the console’s Mii Maker.

But that suited me just fine, especially with the increased options when it comes to creating them. Quite a few additional parts, plenty of colours, along with ears for the first time. And the face paint, which I’ve barely used. But it did allow me to put freckles on one of the characters, so that was nice. What others have been able to do with the face painting has been incredible, and I’m sure at some point I’ll be going in depth with them.

The island grows as characters are added, starting with the essentials of food and clothes shops. Each day there’s new things to find with the shops, with anything bought added to the permanent selection. There’s plenty of options to discover, with food from across the world and a variety of styles for clothing. Including some weird outfits, such as a building and a lion hood.

Then there’s the island designer, which allows a lot of personal expression without going into the custom items that can be made. Nature such as trees and flowers, fences and steps, even the shape of the island, the paths of it, and where every building is placed. For me, with the name of the island, it made so much sense to recreate the High Street of Halesowen town. Placing the shops either side of a large brick road leading to the beach. Which I would redesign each time the workable space expanded.

Money is needed to pay for everything I want to buy, which is earned through helping the Miis with problems and giving them new stuff. The more they like something, the more money they will give. Along with giving fuzzies to spend at the wishing fountain, and increasing their happiness level. When they level up, I can give them a present, teach them an expression, or provide a little quirk to let them show their personality a bit.

As for that wishing fountain, it allows more stuff to decorate the island with. It allows more little quirks to bring greater personality to the Miis. And opening up the customisation options at the studio workshop. This provides a whole lot of additional ways to personalise the island and the Miis that live on it. Custom objects and floors, house interiors and exteriors, clothes, and the treasures that can be gifted to Miis. For those who want to go to such lengths, it’s very much possible.

Tomodachi Life wouldn’t be anything without the custom phrases, however. And there are no limits (except length) on what you can have the Miis say to each other. I’ve been rather tame with it. At least to start. The most I ever had the Halesowen College crew talking to each other about was intimate touching. But even that can be funny when brought up in the most random of times.

Then I started bringing in characters from my other universes, and so started to get wilder. All those of the Ballart Police Force have bonded over Assaulting Darcy [main villain of Elemental Heroes]. So, it was hilarious to me that one of the competitors of the Space Race Championship then said they think they’re the only one who loves Assaulting Darcy. And yes, I have got Darcy on the island, so if that gets mentioned around her, it’s going to be so funny.

The interactions seen between Miis, the relationships that form, are a big part of why I love Tomodachi Life. Fill it with people you know, or recognise, or characters from films, or those of your own making, and see what unfolds. Already I’ve had canon-breaking marriages, and best friends forever forming across universes. Really can’t wait to see the first crossover romance form.

Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is such a joy with those interactions. Even if they can be limited by the very small selection of sentence structures for each type of interaction. The fun a person gets from the game will very much depend on how easily they can overlook that. Despite that limitation, Tomodachi Life is still a great one to play, with a lot of customisation and personalisation on offer. Naturally, I give it an easy recommendation.

Images Taken From:
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream | Nintendo Switch 2 [Handheld]