Thoughts on Island Sanctuary Patch themeing?

[Simple_Barghest]

I've got some mild-to-hot takes about the Island Sanctuary building aesthetics.
Namely: As the tech level increases, it becomes less of an "Island Sanctuary," and more of a "Tax Haven Colony." And just because you poke fun at the idea with a few selectable quotes and bits of item description, doesn't absolve you from actually doing the thing. It's like an FPS going "oH nO, a SeWeR lEvEl?!" And then having a sewer level. You're not as clever as you think you are.

As the Workshops and Granaries increase in tech level, the various landmarks that came 'first' to the IS gradually feel more and more out of place. Case in point: The Windmill. (Also applicable to the Lighthouse and Tree Fort, but I'm bullying the Windmill here a bit).


Sturdy construction, fits with the aesthetic / tech-level of the levels 1 and 2 Cabin, Workshop, and Granary buildings. See
And compare the two pictures.
However, as the tech level has increased, the Windmill subsequently feels outdated and left-behind as a structure. Which would be fine and fitting if the Windmill were an ancient structure, part of a village or town that was growing through the ages, like a lot of historical landmarks are. But that isn't the case: This Windmill can be constructed just last week while your Workshop is over there billowing steam and smoke. This can be fixed by customizing your cabin and buildings back down to previous tech levels, of course. But if you want the newer buildings, the brickwork pathing and squares, etc. you end up having the constant clash of aesthetics and technological levels. Even the Bathhouse, which is "newer" than the Windmill and Tree Fort, suffers from this gap in development, operating on different principles compared to the new Clock Tower.

Which brings me to my second point: Even if you were to dial back the appearances of your various buildings and Cabins, having everything ran by these fluorescent, futuristic magic-worker-bots creates a whole other source of clashing aesthetic and energy that only as the tech level of the colony increases, does this tension fade. And in order to progress your Island, or make things work, you can't ignore the magic machines: You have to interact with them every time, a constant reminder that your Island Sanctuary is only a tax haven for Tataru's new business ventures. The only reason we haven't been turned into a tobacco plantation is because the game has to keep a certain Rating, and even then it can probably be danced around.

Edit: Actually hold on. While I'm cracking tasteless jokes and rambling to avoid having to be sincere and genuine; Do the spriggans qualify as sapient enough to be an 'indigenous population'?