Seven Games Like ‘Stardew Valley’ You Ought to Play Subsequent

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In the pantheon of indie video video games, 2016’s Stardew Valley holds a spot of delight. Singlehandedly developed, designed, programmed, and even scored by one man—he goes by the web deal with ConcernedApe—it is ostensibly a farming simulator, but it surely goes manner past Farmville.

Players can develop and harvest their crops, sure. But they will additionally fish, mine for ore, shield their farms from the monsters that roam the encircling wilderness, use the income from their farms to improve their instruments and houses, and go to close by cities to talk with the populace—and perhaps even discover love. It’s a sport you possibly can nearly play eternally: There aren’t any concrete objectives, and simply once you suppose you’ve got accomplished all the things, ConcernedApe will drop an replace with new options.

But proper now, ConcernedApe has vowed to carry off on new expansions whereas he focuses on ending his subsequent sport, Haunted Chocolatier. If this has left you searching for one thing new to play, listed here are seven different video games with related attributes: an addictive gameplay loop, parts of useful resource administration, mechanics like fishing or crafting, and a contact of role-playing.

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Bear and Breakfast

IGN consumer ranking: 7.5

Though it is heavier on the useful resource administration aspect of issues than Stardew Valley, it is laborious to withstand the attraction of Bear and Breakfast, during which you tackle the function of Hank, a brown bear who decides to open a comfy inn for the people that populate his valley. You time shall be spent fixing up a run-down constructing and furnishing rooms, reserving visitors, and foraging for the provides you may must preserve them fed and completely satisfied. This one is much less of an open sandbox than Stardew—you do not have practically as a lot freedom to make your individual selections about construct your B&B empire—however the graphics are cartoonishly cute and there is loads of foolish humor to maintain you enjoying.

Platforms: PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam

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Fields of Mistria

IGN consumer ranking: 9

Though nonetheless in an early-access beta in the mean time, Fields of Mistria is an especially promising contender for Stardew Valley‘s cozy gaming crown. The setting is the titular city of Mistria, lately devastated by an earthquake and badly in want of rebuilding. Don’t fear—whereas the backstory is miserable, the townspeople aren’t letting a bit factor like a pure catastrophe get them down: They’re nonetheless tending to their gardens, operating their companies, and sourcing components for scrumptious meals. You play a newcomer to the realm who inherits a tiny cottage on a run-down patch of earth, and it is as much as you to clear the land and construct a life—whereas serving to the neighborhood of Mistria rebuild alongside the best way. The bitmap graphics and pleasant vibes are extremely paying homage to Stardew Valley, however the supporting forged of lovable NPCs units it aside.

Platforms: Steam

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Coral Island

IGN consumer ranking: 8.2

Coral Island eschews Stardew Valley‘s retro vibes for a extra polished visible presentation, however the gameplay is a well-known mixture of farming, harvesting, fishing, crafting, cooking, and relationship constructing—plus a couple of enjoyable twists, like elevating animals and diving to discover underwater areas. You objective is to construct up your individual farm whereas serving to your neighbors revitalize the island to maintain company patrons at bay, in case you like a bit anti-capitalism messaging in your gaming.

Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Steam

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Sun Haven

IGN ranking: 7.9

Here’s a farming sim with a distinction: Sun Haven leans lots tougher on the RPG parts. There’s a a lot stronger concentrate on fight, and you may select and degree up your character’s expertise whilst you perform the same old duties of farming, harvesting, and useful resource administration. With a unusual humorousness, a slow-burn storyline, and many monsters and magic, it is Stardew Valley meets Dungeons & Dragons.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, macOS, Steam

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My Time at Portia

IGN ranking: 8

Though the artwork fashion could also be a bit divisive—the primary character jogs my memory of Jimmy Neutron (derogatory)—this is not a foul choose in case you benefit from the crafting facets of Stardew Valley. You play as a feisty lad who strikes into his Pa’s rundown previous workshop, decided to repair it up and assist brighten up the encircling city of Portia together with it. The focus is on gathering sources to construct stuff, with the same old cozy sport trappings of relationship and mini-quests like horse racing and battling the native toughs. The undeniable fact that the sport’s map expands as you craft objects that can assist you entry new areas will preserve you racking up hours of playtime.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, macOS, Xbox, Steam

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Graveyard Keeper

IGN consumer ranking: 7.4

A macabre twist on Stardew Valley, Graveyard Keeper places you answerable for not a farm however, properly, you guessed it. Instead of backyard beds, you are inclined to household plots! Instead of fruits bursting from the bottom, there are zombies! It’s capitalism meets a medieval graveyard, as you collect sources, handle your plots, and search to attract within the locals with enjoyable occasions like a witch-burning competition. There are graves to dig, dungeons to discover, and mourning locals to take advantage of. Truth be informed, the execution (no pun meant) is not fairly nearly as good because the idea, however when you get the grasp of it, it feels much less grind-y and extra enjoyable and humorous.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Android, PlayStation 4, iOS, Xbox, Linux, macOS, Steam

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Dave the Diver

IGN ranking: 9

This 2023 Game of the Year nominee is a far cry from a comfy farming sim, however its participating and expansive storyline—because the titular Dave, you run a sushi restaurant positioned close to a magical physique of water and should every day head out on a ship to dive for the seafood you may be serving as much as prospects—makes nice use of the acquainted gameplay loop. Though there’s loads of Stardew-esque useful resource administration and activity repetition baked into the restaurant simulation chunk of the sport, this one, uh, dives a lot deeper into the story-based RPG parts, but it surely’s no much less satisfying for that.

Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC