14 Best Cozy Games Like Stardew Valley [Updated 2025]

Posted on by Carmen

Are you a Stardew Valley fan looking for games like Stardew Valley? Look no further!

Not to be basic, but Stardew Valley is one of my favorite cozy games of all time. I’ve 100%’ed the game to get the “special ending scene” and very nearly Platinumed it on PlayStation Vita (if it weren’t for that pesky “Beat Journey Of The Prairie King” trophy). Needless to say, I’ve sunk hundreds if not thousands of hours into this game.

But recently I’ve been feeling like I’ve played it to death. I’ve dated everyone I want to date, tested every farm type, seen every cutscene, and even owned the coveted Gold Clock. There’s nothing else I really want to do in the game (no, I will not play nor beat Journey Of The Prairie King!!!!), which leaves me feeling rather empty. There’s a Stardew Valley-shaped hole in my heart and I need to find something to fill the gap.

There may never be a farming sim as good as Stardew Valley, but there are plenty of cozy games that scratch that same itch: farming, fishing, friends…maybe a sprinkle of combat.

Games Like Stardew Valley: Quicklist

Everything you need, no scrolling.

But Wait: What is Stardew Valley?

“What is Stardew Valley?” Huh? How did you get to this article? Who sent you? …I kid, I kid. Just in case you’ve been living under the rock or this article goes unexpectedly viral, here’s the gist of Stardew Valley:

Stardew Valley is a charming farming simulation game developed by ConcernedApe. Set in the idyllic Pelican Town, players inherit a run-down farm and are tasked with restoring it to its former glory. The game combines farming, fishing, mining, and crafting mechanics, allowing players to plant and harvest crops, raise animals, and build relationships with the diverse cast of characters inhabiting the town. The game features a shifting calendar with seasonal changes affecting crop growth and festivals that offer unique activities.

What makes a game like Stardew Valley?

When comparing games to Stardew Valley, I look for certain elements or gameplay mechanics. Here are the main qualifiers, though I like to break my own rules every so often, too.

  • Has farming sim elements (crops, livestock)
  • Has some of: fishing, foraging, crafting, mining
  • Combat as a welcomed element
  • Has a rich social/community environment
  • Has memorable characters
  • Has a quaint, charming setting

That being said, it’s time to get to the heart of the matter! Here are…

The Best Games Like Stardew Valley

As someone who loves the farming sim genre in general, I’m always on the lookout for new games to play. Here are some farming games like Stardew Valley that I recommend:

1. My Time at Sandrock – Stardew Valley with a crafting/building focus

While not strictly a farming game, My Time at Sandrock has a similar vibe to Stardew Valley. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, you’ll be tasked with rebuilding your workshop and helping the town of Sandrock grow and thrive. You spend most of your days scavenging and foraging in a resource-scarce environment in order to complete crafting commissions posted by the townsfolk. With crafting, farming, festival mini-games, and relationship-building mechanics, it’s a great choice for anyone looking for a more varied experience.

While My Time at Sandrock has crops and livestock, it’s a very minimal part of the game. Pretty much optional. So I highly recommend My Time at Sandrock for people who loved Stardew Valley but are all farm-sim’d out right now.

How My Time at Sandrock is like Stardew Valley (or not):

✅ Has farming sim elements (crops, livestock)
✅ Has some of: fishing, foraging, crafting, mining
✅Combat as a welcomed element
✅Has a rich social/community environment
✅Has memorable characters
✅Has a quaint, charming setting

2. Rune Factory – Stardew Valley that is more action-oriented

Combining farming sim mechanics with RPG elements, Rune Factory is a unique take on the genre. With dungeon-crawling, monster-taming, and a wide variety of crops to grow, it’s a great choice for anyone looking for something a little different. It has a heavier focus on linear narrative, dungeon crawling, and combat, so fans of the mines/Skull Cavern in Stardew Valley will appreciate what it has to offer.

I can personally vouch for Rune Factory 4 being an absolute blast.

How Rune Factory is like Stardew Valley (or not):

✅ Has farming sim elements (crops, livestock)
✅ Has some of: fishing, foraging, crafting, mining
✅Combat as a welcomed element
✅Has a rich social/community environment
✅Has memorable characters
✅Has a quaint, charming setting

3. Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town – Stardew Valley with cutsie 3D graphics

A remake of the original Game Boy Advance game, Friends of Mineral Town is a charming farming sim with updated graphics and mechanics. With plenty of plants to care for, animals to raise, and townsfolk to befriend (and eventually marry), it’s a great choice for anyone looking for a more traditional farming experience. This one is heavily based on the OG Harvest Moon games (SNES, N64), so it has a special place in my heart.

Read my full Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town review.

How SOS: FOMT is like Stardew Valley (or not):

✅ Has farming sim elements (crops, livestock)
✅ Has some of: fishing, foraging, crafting, mining
❌Combat as a welcomed element
✅Has a rich social/community environment
✅Has memorable characters
✅Has a quaint, charming setting

4. Coral Island – Stardew Valley with hand-drawn art & deep story

A broad map, tons to do, and some of the best character art around, Coral Island has been dubbed the “bisexual panic” farming sim on account of how attractive all the bachelors and bachelorettes are. This one has a very modern storyline about a corporation polluting the ocean and trying to bully the town into selling them space. Very Stardew Valley-esc (a la JojaMart), so you’ll have a sense of familiarity there. I have been playing this title since it was in Early Access and I can’t rave enough about this game.

Coral Island has all of the farming sim elements you know and love but with juuust enough unique twists (underwater exploration, anyone?) to keep things fresh.

How Coral Island is like Stardew Valley (or not):

✅ Has farming sim elements (crops, livestock)
✅ Has some of: fishing, foraging, crafting, mining
✅Combat as a welcomed element
✅Has a rich social/community environment
✅Has memorable characters
✅Has a quaint, charming setting

5. Sun Haven – Stardew Valley with an advanced skill tree

Sun Haven is a truly charming farming sim with tons of battle and skill tree mechanics that you don’t really see often in this genres. The character creation screen lets you pick a race that will unlock additional bonuses, which in another unique feature of this farming sim! You also will have multiple farms in different, distinct villages. I don’t want to spoil anything, but one of them has a cool urban, neon vibe that I haven’t seen in a farming sim location before. Oh, and much like Stardew Valley, Sun Haven has a seamless online co-op mode, too!

I like to call it “Stardew Valley for weebs” (lovingly). It’s one of my favorite farming sims, personally.

How Sun Haven is like Stardew Valley (or not):

✅ Has farming sim elements (crops, livestock)
✅ Has some of: fishing, foraging, crafting, mining
✅Combat as a welcomed element
✅Has a rich social/community environment
✅Has memorable characters
✅Has a quaint, charming setting

6. Wylde Flowers – Stardew Valley, with witches

Become a witch, tend your garden, make potions, and befriend the townsfolk. Also, cry. Yup. End of Spring 1-ish. Get ready for it.

Wylde Flowers is an often overlooked farming and life sim that I know Stardew Valley fans will enjoy. It champions diversity and has a ton of heart, two things I love in any farming life game. You’ll be surprised by a few of the mechanics—like that you control the seasons…with magic—but it’s really worth a playthrough to see them all for yourself. There are many story twists and turns in Wylde Flowers that are better left experienced first-hand.

I gush about Wylde Flowers in my full review, if you’re interested.

How Wylde Flowers is like Stardew Valley (or not):

✅ Has farming sim elements (crops, livestock)
✅ Has some of: fishing, foraging, crafting, mining
❌Combat as a welcomed element
✅Has a rich social/community environment
✅Has memorable characters
✅Has a quaint, charming setting

7. Roots of Pacha – Stardew Valley in the stone age

Roots of Pacha is my contender for “the next Stardew Valley.” Why? It’s innovative with current and future-planning mechanics, it puts a twist on well-worn farming tropes, and it has modern sensibilities imposed over idyllic settings.

Roots of Pacha is a prehistoric farming sim that really switches things up when it comes to the in-game economy, as your contributions to the clan’s well-being earn you “points” that can be traded for goods and services. That’s the only currency! It’s less about making money and more about supporting the community. You will also “discover” new technology, like tools or machines, by completing certain tasks for NPCs. It’s a totally unique approach to farming sims.

Read my full review of Roots of Pacha for all the deets.

How Roots of Pacha is like Stardew Valley (or not):

✅ Has farming sim elements (crops, livestock)
✅ Has some of: fishing, foraging, crafting, mining
❌Combat as a welcomed element
✅Has a rich social/community environment
✅Has memorable characters
✅Has a quaint, charming setting

8. Littlewood – Stardew Valley with city-building mechanics

Littlewood is the cozy retirement village story after the big adventure.

Littlewood has some farming (crops, fruit trees), but it leans more heavily on collecting: fishing, foraging, bug catching, forestry, and mining. The pixel graphic vibes are immaculate, the characters are bold and memorable, and the city-building mechanics are perfect for any players who wish they could rearrange Pelican Town. Littlewood is a building/crafting-heavy life sim, with elements of population wish fulfillment. “Please add a bookshelf to my house. Please place my house on the highest elevation. Don’t place my house near the forge. Et cetera.” It’s a really fast and fresh take on this game type.

I love Littlewood and ramble endlessly about how cool it is in my review.

How Littlewood is like Stardew Valley (or not):

✅ Has farming sim elements (crops, livestock)
✅ Has some of: fishing, foraging, crafting, mining
❌Combat as a welcomed element
✅Has a rich social/community environment
✅Has memorable characters
✅Has a quaint, charming setting

9. Fields of Mistria – Stardew Valley set in a 90s anime world

How Fields of Mistria is like Stardew Valley (or not):

✅ Has farming sim elements (crops, livestock)
✅ Has some of: fishing, foraging, crafting, mining
✅Combat as a welcomed element
✅Has a rich social/community environment
✅Has memorable characters
✅Has a quaint, charming setting

10. Wanderstop – From the creator of The Stanley Parable and The Beginner’s Guide

You might notice that my tagline for Wanderstop didn’t follow the “Stardew Valley +” formula of all my other entries. That’s because the best thing I can do to explain this game is mention that it’s by the writer of The Stanley Parable and The Beginner’s Guide—two beautiful, silly, narratively powerful, one-of-a-kind experiences in their own rights. Anyway, here’s Davey Wreden‘s take on the farming/life sim genre. You won’t regret giving it a try.

How Wanderstop is like Stardew Valley (or not):

✅ Has farming sim elements (crops, livestock)
✅ Has some of: fishing, foraging, crafting, mining
❌Combat as a welcomed element
✅Has a rich social/community environment
✅Has memorable characters
✅Has a quaint, charming setting

11. Summer in Mara – Stardew Valley, with pirates

Summer in Mara is closer to Harvest Moon X Windwaker, to be honest. But it’s such an underrated cozy game, I try to recommend it whenever I can.

Summer in Mara is a charming, well-written farming sim and exploration game with one of my favorite art styles on this list. You play as Koa, who shows up on a quite little island alone and tries to make the place feel like home. You are equipped with your trusty boat, though it needs repairs, and a farmstead that has everything you need to survive and thrive. Eventually, you’ll be able to sail the map and visit many islands, meet and greet pirates, and engage in dozens of compelling side stories. I highly recommend this one, even though it strays somewhat from the basic farming sim formula.

How Summer in Mara is like Stardew Valley (or not):

✅ Has farming sim elements (crops, livestock)
✅ Has some of: fishing, foraging, crafting, mining
❌Combat as a welcomed element
❌Has a rich social/community environment
✅Has memorable characters
✅Has a quaint, charming setting

12. Fae Farm – Stardew Valley with more dungeon crawling

Full disclosure: I didn’t really like Fae Farm. But it has a dedicated fanbase who make some pretty compelling points about why it’s great. More importantly, I want you to be able to make your own decision about the game, so I’m going to keep it on this list anyway. It undoubtedly has Stardew Valley elements, like farming, combat, NPC quests, animal rearing, mining, fishing, and more. It definitely deserves a spot on this list so far as people will for sure be recommending it as a Stardew Valley alternative for years to come.

How Fae Farm is like Stardew Valley (or not):

✅ Has farming sim elements (crops, livestock)
✅ Has some of: fishing, foraging, crafting, mining
✅Combat as a welcomed element
❌Has a rich social/community environment
❌Has memorable characters
✅Has a quaint, charming setting

13. Disney Dreamlight Valley – Best for games-as-a-service

Disney Dreamlight Valley is a great choice for Stardew Valley fans who didn’t dig the combat aspects of the game. Dreamlight Valley focuses on wholesome adventures with characters you’ll recognize from myriad popular properties, including Disney and Pixar. You can explore, collect, craft, grow, and decorate, as well as take advantage of ongoing DLC that the developer releases regularly. Some content is behind additional paywalls but a lot of it is distributed for free.

DDLV was supposed to go free-to-play until the developer rolled that back (booo), so beware of aggressive microtransactions if you decide to give it a run.

How Disney Dreamlight Valley is like Stardew Valley (or not):

✅ Has farming sim elements (crops, livestock)
✅ Has some of: fishing, foraging, crafting, mining
❌Combat as a welcomed element
✅Has a rich social/community environment
✅Has memorable characters
✅Has a quaint, charming setting

14. Farming Simulator – Stardew Valley with more realism

I honestly don’t really like the Farming Simulator games but I feel like I’ll get an angry PM if I don’t at least give it a mention!

It’s a pretty obvious win if you are looking for a gamified farming experience. Farming Simulator is a simulation game that allows players to experience the life of a modern-day farmer, managing tasks such as planting and harvesting crops, raising livestock, and operating various farming vehicles and equipment. The game provides a realistic and immersive agricultural experience, enabling players to cultivate their virtual farms and participate in the challenges of rural life.

How Farming Simulator is like Stardew Valley (or not):

✅ Has farming sim elements (crops, livestock)
✅ Has some of: fishing, foraging, crafting, mining
❌Combat as a welcomed element
❌Has a rich social/community environment
❌Has memorable characters
✅Has a quaint, charming setting

FAQ: Is Harvest Moon Like Stardew Valley?

Not anymore. Harvest Moon SNES basically invented the genre “farming sim,” decades before the concept of “cozy games” even existed. Unfortunately, the original developers left to do their own thing with the Story of Seasons franchise. Ever since then, the Harvest Moon games have felt vapid and lacklustre. You can see what I mean here:

FAQ: Is Moonstone Island a Stardew-like?

If you mean, “Is Moonstone Island a pixel-graphics game?” then yes, it is a Stardew-like. Moonstone Island is a creature collecting game and card-battler. Every new save file has a procedurally generated map of floating islands in the sky. There are Ghibli-esque elements, and a lovely inclusive cast. Seriously, go play Moonstone Island. But NOT because it’s a Stardew-like. It has very, verrrry optional farming elements. The similarities are most aesthetic.

FAQ: I want a farming game with [XYZ]

That’s not a question. But I hear you. Here are additional lists to help you narrow down your search:

So there you have it: my top recommendations for games like Stardew Valley. New farming sims are being released all the time so I plan to revisit this list and expand upon it when I find something worthy. I tried to be really specific about games that resemble Stardew Valley in a big way, which is why you won’t see titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons on here (I have a different list for that!) even though other lists compare them favorably.

Leave a comment below if you have a game like Stardew Valley that you want me to consider for this list! I’ll check it out and maybe even add it on a future update.

Stay cozy, friends!

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