From Farming to Friendship: Discover the Best Stardew Valley-Like Games for Social Souls
Read on to learn the best 12 games like Stardew Valley to play if you are tired of playing Stardew Valley.
Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone created Stardew Valley. Stardew Valley players inherit their grandfather’s rundown farm. The game debuted on Windows in February 2016. Stardew Valley is open-ended, letting players grow crops, raise livestock, fish, cook, mine, forage, and socialize with the townspeople, including marrying and having children. It supports four online players.
However, if you’ve spent countless hours in Pelican Town and are looking for a change of scenery without sacrificing the elements you love, this list of games like Stardew Valley is just what you need. Each game offers a unique spin on the farming sim genre, ensuring you’ll find the perfect new world to immerse yourself in.
Most Similar Games Stardew Valley
| Game | Developer | Publisher | Platform | Genre | Mode | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garden Story | Picogram | Rose City Games | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One | Action role-playing | Single-player | macOS, Windows, Switch August 11, 2021 – Xbox One July 12, 2022 |
| Ooblets | Glumberland | Glumberland | Nintendo Switch, Windows, Xbox One | Life simulation | Single-player | September 1, 2022 |
| My Time at Portia | Pathea Games | Team17 Nuverse | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOS | Action role-playing, simulation | Single-player | Windows WW: 15 January 2019 Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One WW: 16 April 2019 Android, iOS WW: 4 August 2021 macOS WW: 12 May 2022 |
| Animal Crossing: New Horizons | Nintendo | Nintendo | Nintendo Switch | Social simulation | Single-player, multiplayer | March 20, 2020 |
| Cult of the Lamb | Massive Monster | Devolver Digital | macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | Roguelike, action-adventure, construction and management simulation | Single-player | 11 August 2022 |
| Farming Simulator 22 | Simulation | GIANTS Software | Windows, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch | Simulation | Single-player | April 14, 2008 – Latest release: November 22, 2021 |
| Graveyard Keeper | Lazy Bear Games | tinyBuild | Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mobile | Management Simulation | Single-player | August 15, 2018 |
| Minecraft | Mojang Studios | Mojang Studios | All platforms | Sandbox, Survival | Single-player, Multiplayer | 18 November 2011 |
| Dragon Quest Builders 2 | Square Enix, Omega Force | Square Enix | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One | Action role-playing, sandbox | Single-player, multiplayer | Nintendo Switch, PS4 JP: December 20, 2018 WW: July 12, 2019 – Windows WW: December 10, 2019 – Xbox One WW: May 4, 2021 |
| Spiritfarer | Thunder Lotus Games | Thunder Lotus Games | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia, iOS, Android | Management simulation, action platformer | Single-player, multiplayer | Linux, macOS, Windows, Switch, PS4, Xbox One August 18, 2020 – Stadia August 21, 2020 – iOS, Android October 4, 2022 |
| Doraemon Story of Seasons | Brownies Marvelous | Bandai Namco Entertainment | Nintendo Switch, Windows, PlayStation 4 | Farm simulation, role-playing | Single-player | Nintendo Switch, Windows JP: June 13, 2019 WW: October 11, 2019 – PlayStation 4 JP: July 30, 2020 WW: September 4, 2020 |
| Hokko Life | Wonderscope | Team17 | Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Amazon Luna | Social simulation | Single-player | September 27, 2022 |
1. Garden Story
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, macOS
Garden Story, developed by Picogram, is another cute and quirky Stardew-like game. To stop the Rot from destroying The Grove, you must assume the role of Concord, a grape, and join forces with other fruit, fungi, and frogs. You play as Concord, who has been appointed Guardian of The Grove. In addition to the usual tasks and seasonal changes of Stardew Valley, you also have an overarching storyline involving the fight against the Rot and the island’s reconstruction. You’ll also connect with people who end up helpful to you.
2. Ooblets
Platforms: Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Ooblets is a delightful fusion of farming simulation and creature collection. While the game shares many similarities with Stardew Valley, such as managing a farm and building relationships, it sets itself apart with its adorable inhabitants called Ooblets. These creatures are grown on your farm and can help you with various tasks, accompany you on adventures, and even participate in dance-offs to progress the story.
If you’re a fan of both Stardew Valley and Pokémon, Ooblets is the perfect combination of both worlds.
3. My Time at Portia
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, Android, iOS
My Time at Portia takes place in an unexpectedly cheerful post-apocalyptic world. The game tasks you with inheriting your family’s workshop and helping to restore the town of Portia to its former glory. This 3D farming sim shares many mechanics with Stardew Valley, such as farming, mining, crafting, and building relationships with the townsfolk.
The map is expansive, with new areas becoming accessible as you progress through the game. Add in a variety of mini-games and dungeons to explore, and you’ve got a highly addictive game that offers hours of entertainment.
4. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Animal Crossing: New Horizons became a global phenomenon in 2020 and provided players with a cozy escape during a tumultuous time. The game begins with your character purchasing a one-way ticket to a deserted island, where you’ll work to create a thriving community. Like Stardew Valley, you’ll gather resources, craft furniture, and build relationships with fellow island dwellers.
The game uses real-time to determine the time of day and season, creating a dynamic environment that changes throughout the year. With hundreds of hours of gameplay, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a must-play for fans of life simulation games.
5. Cult of the Lamb
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Cult of the Lamb may appear cute and cuddly, but its gameplay is anything but. As a possessed lamb, you must build a cult serving a mysterious god, all while managing a base for your followers, recruiting new members, and defeating blasphemers in rogue-like dungeons. This game offers a different setting while retaining similarities to Stardew Valley’s gameplay mechanics.
6. Farming Simulator 22
Platforms: Windows, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
Farming Simulator has been a staple in the farming simulation genre for years, and its latest installment is the most realistic yet. While Stardew Valley offers a more casual experience, Farming Simulator 22 provides a hardcore, hyper-realistic approach to farming. If you’re looking for an immersive and authentic farming experience, this game is the closest you’ll get without becoming a farmer.
7. Graveyard Keeper
Platforms: Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mobile
Graveyard Keeper puts a dark twist on the farming sim formula by tasking you with managing a graveyard instead of a farm. Despite its creepy premise, the game is full of charm and humor. Much like Stardew Valley, you’ll clear out land, expand your cemetery, and interact with villagers while unlocking new technologies and crafting items.
8. Minecraft
Platforms: All platforms
Minecraft is a cultural phenomenon that needs no introduction. This sandbox survival game offers limitless exploration, crafting, and building possibilities. If you want to create a farm similar to Stardew Valley within Minecraft, you can grow crops, raise animals, and live off the land. You can further enhance your farming experience with countless mods available on PC.
9. Dragon Quest Builders 2
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch
Dragon Quest Builders 2 combines the building aspects of Minecraft with the resource gathering and relationship management of Stardew Valley. The game also incorporates an epic story of good versus evil. The initial hours of gameplay closely resemble Stardew Valley as you restore a barren land into a thriving farm. Unlock new buildings, item blueprints, and grow crops while building your community.
10. Spiritfarer
Platforms: Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mobile
Spiritfarer is a heartwarming and emotional game focusing on building relationships with a colorful cast of characters. As Stella, the new ferry master responsible for guiding souls to the afterlife, you’ll cater to the needs and desires of your passengers while exploring the world, gathering resources, and uncovering character backstories. If you enjoy the relationship-building aspect of Stardew Valley, Spiritfarer is a must-play.
11. Doraemon Story of Seasons
Platforms: Windows, PS4, Nintendo Switch
Doraemon Story of Seasons is a unique crossover between the Story of Seasons game series and the popular Doraemon manga. The game features a beautiful watercolor aesthetic and detailed rural environments. Players can grow crops, tend to animals, fish, and catch bugs while enjoying the charming, old-school gameplay reminiscent of Stardew Valley.
12. Hokko Life
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
You’ve arrived in a tranquil village full of crafting stations, fishing holes, and farm plots, not unlike those in Stardew Valley. However, Hokko Life adds a new dimension of creativity by allowing you to go to your workshop and create things for your home and the neighborhood. Like in Animal Crossing, you can gather a swarm of bugs around Hokko and keep them in a collection using a net. The game is still in early access but has received positive feedback from players and is worth watching or trying out.
Conclusion
While no game has captured Stardew Valley’s magic, the titles on this list come close. Each offers its unique spin on the farming sim experience, ensuring you’ll find a new world to get lost in. With these games like Stardew Valley at your fingertips, you’re bound to find your next favorite virtual escape.
