My Talking Hank: Islands is out now on mobile, bringing the wanderlust of island exploration to the tried-and-true Talking Tom & Friends virtual pet formula. For the first time in the 14-year-old series, you can step outside your super-cozy home to take a look around, uncover plenty of mysteries, and make new animal friends while you're at it.
Adventuring into parts unknown is often best done with a guide, though, so come with us as we go through six essential My Talking Hank: Islands tips and tricks in this guide right here.
Learn how to look after Hank first
Start by hanging around Talking Hank's Tree House to teach yourself the basics of caring for him. You'll also want to care for other animals later alongside Hank, so set yourself up for success by learning the ins and outs of virtual pet care early.
First, you can feed Hank by tapping the knife and fork button on the screen to go to the kitchen. Press the food on the table to do just that, or drag each nibble to him yourself. If you're out of grub, use coins to buy more or head outside and bump into an apple or palm tree to restock supplies. If you've got plenty of food, tap the food mixer to make him an ice cream sundae or a smoothie.
For what comes after a good meal, tap the toilet button. You know where this is going. While you're in the bathroom, you can also select the bathtub and washbasin to ensure Hank remains squeaky clean.
Don't be afraid to stay at home
Unlike many holidays, you won't be trying to pack a lot of activities into a few days. So take your time and check out what Hank's Tree House offers.
My Talking Hank: Islands features many mini-games, four of which can be found right there in Hank’s lofty abode. Head to the bedroom at the front of the Tree House to play the likes of Snake Trails, if you want to play against other players to grow the biggest snake, or chase high scores in Snappy Frog, Candy Connect, or Balloon Splash. Whichever you pick, you'll find them to be a good source of coins and hearts – the better your score, the better the reward.
If you fancy something more easy-going, take some time to redecorate. Select the room you want to spruce up, then tap the blue paint roller button. Look to the bottom of the screen to find five themes to choose from alongside different furniture and decor items within each theme. You can add more items to your selection by exploring, purchasing them with coins, leveling up, or watching an ad.
Take your time and explore the island
Once you're acquainted with Hank's Tree House, stretch your legs and take a look around. Exit the treehouse by pressing the blue arrow button or by going to the porch via the orange button and then tapping the ladder to the right of the screen. If you're in a rush, instantly teleport to one of Hank's pals by tapping the map while on the porch, before selecting the animal you need to fast-travel to.
If you do decide to walk, hold your finger where you'd like to go, and Hank will follow. You can use the scooter to speed things up, though make sure you don't miss any island secrets. Interacting with objects rewards you with coins, hearts, and even stickers just for taking a closer look.
Fill up Hank's sticker albums
Looking around Hank's porch reveals he has six sticker albums to fill, one for him and each of his mates. Stumbling across the odd pack here and there is one way to make progress in completing each book, though you can also earn sticker packs by watching ads and completing animal activities.
Once you earn a sticker pack, open an album and find the pack in the screen's bottom-left corner. Tap the pack to open it, and then drag the sticker where it needs to go. Once you've completed one album, you'll move on to the next.
Fill up your other personal collections
Stickers aren't the only thing you'll find while exploring. You'll come across oodles of butterflies, mushrooms, precious stones, treasures, and shells. Tap on the shelves while on Hank's porch to keep track of what you've collected and what you've yet to come across.
You'll also want to take advantage of Hank's ability to stay up late. While night time typically means bedtime for Talking Tom and his friends, Hank will still have 30% energy when the sun goes down. Some collectibles can only be found at night, so strike the balance between getting a good night's sleep and stepping out for some late-night adventures.
Don't be a stranger, check in on a friend
My Talking Hank: Islands offers plenty for you to do solo, but you'll want to remember to check in on friends. There's an elephant, a turtle, a dolphin, a monkey, and a lion you can meet through fast-travel or the old-fashioned way of walking over.
You'll want to prioritize, though, as some animals need more attention than others at certain points. If you check the map and find an animal's button is red, then it's time to pay a visit. Hank will also have a speech bubble you can tap for a guideline you can follow. Once you're there, you'll be able to feed them, play with them, and interact in various unique ways, depending on who you're visiting.
If the animal's button was red before you dropped in, they'll have a speech bubble showing you exactly what they want to do – you'll see a catapult if they're hungry or something like the elephant's mud bath if they want to play a unique mini-game.
And there you have it, six tips to get you started in My Talking Hank: Islands. As part of the launch celebrations, you can also take part in a special treasure hunt across Talking Tom's Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok social media platforms. If you're lucky, you'll be one of 10 winners to receive a share of a $20,000 prize pool. The giveaway runs until August 3, 2024, so you've still got plenty of time (read more here). Also, downloading My Talking Hank: Islands before July 18 will give you a free dino outfit.
