When Stardew Valley launched, it reminded a lot of players why farming and life sims can be special. It wasn’t just about planting crops. It was about building a life. Every season introduced new routines, every relationship felt meaningful, and the town actually changed as you invested time into it. That mix of farming progression, character relationships, exploration, and long-term goals helped it become one of the most beloved indie games of all time.
Since then, many players have been asking the same question: what do we play next?
This list answers that. Below are 15 games like Stardew Valley that focus on farming, community building, crafting, progression systems, and relaxing life simulation. Some lean into fantasy, some focus on relationships, and some expand into crafting and management—but all of them capture that addictive loop of building something meaningful over time.
Quick Comparison: Top 5 Picks
| Game | Core Similarity | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town | Classic farming life loop | Traditional farm sim fans |
| Coral Island | Farm + community restoration | Modern Stardew alternative |
| Roots of Pacha | Village growth + farming | Multiplayer farming fans |
| Sun Haven | Farming + fantasy elements | RPG-focused players |
| My Time at Portia | Crafting + farm life | Players who love progression systems |
1. Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town
Why it’s similar
Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town follows the same farming loop that inspired Stardew Valley. You inherit a farm, grow crops, raise animals, participate in seasonal festivals, and slowly build relationships with townsfolk. The structure feels immediately familiar to anyone who has spent dozens of hours tending crops in Pelican Town.
What makes it unique
This game leans more traditional. The progression is slower, the farming systems are structured around classic seasonal routines, and the tone is wholesome and straightforward. It feels like the blueprint Stardew Valley evolved from.
Key features:
- Crop farming and livestock care
- Town festivals and romance options
- Seasonal progression system
Price: ~$39.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
2. Coral Island
Why it’s similar
Coral Island mirrors Stardew’s loop almost directly: farming, fishing, mining, crafting, and relationship building. You restore a struggling community while expanding your farm and improving your home. The daily routine structure feels very close to Stardew’s rhythm.
What makes it unique
The tropical island setting and environmental restoration goals add depth. You clean oceans, revive coral reefs, and improve the island ecosystem, giving you bigger long-term objectives beyond just profits.
Key features:
- Farming and ranching
- Environmental restoration
- Deep relationship system
Price: ~$29.99 | Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
3. Roots of Pacha
Why it’s similar
Roots of Pacha focuses on farming, community growth, and social progression. Like Stardew, your actions improve the village over time, and building relationships unlocks new opportunities.
What makes it unique
The Stone Age setting changes everything. Instead of modern tools, you discover inventions with your clan and expand civilization together. It also supports multiplayer farming for shared progression.
Key features:
- Village progression system
- Farming and crafting
- Co-op support
Price: ~$29.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
4. Sun Haven
Why it’s similar
Sun Haven blends farming, fishing, mining, and romance systems in a way Stardew players instantly recognize. You manage your farm while interacting with towns and completing quests.
What makes it unique
It leans heavily into fantasy. Magic abilities, RPG-style skill trees, and combat systems add depth for players who want more action alongside farming.
Key features:
- Fantasy farming system
- Skill trees and magic
- Multiple towns
Price: ~$24.99 | Platforms: PC, Switch
5. My Time at Portia
Why it’s similar
My Time at Portia captures Stardew’s mix of gathering, farming, crafting, and relationship building. You contribute to town projects and grow stronger over time.
What makes it unique
The crafting workshop is the main focus. Instead of pure farming profits, much of your progression comes from building tools, machines, and structures for the town.
Key features:
- Workshop crafting system
- Town commissions
- Exploration and mining
Price: ~$29.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
6. My Time at Sandrock
Why it’s similar
Like Portia, Sandrock combines farming with life simulation and town development. It follows the same gather-build-improve loop Stardew players love.
What makes it unique
It expands base building and town restoration significantly, making the world feel larger and more story-driven.
Key features:
- Advanced crafting systems
- Town-building quests
- Relationship progression
Price: ~$39.99 | Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
7. Dinkum
Why it’s similar
Dinkum offers farming, animal care, fishing, and town customization. The open-ended sandbox structure mirrors Stardew’s freedom.
What makes it unique
It focuses more on exploration and wide open biomes, with less rigid narrative and more player-driven goals.
Key features:
- Seasonal systems
- Wildlife and biomes
- Town development
Price: ~$24.99 | Platforms: PC, Switch
8. Disney Dreamlight Valley
Why it’s similar
It features gardening, crafting, cooking, and friendship systems that mirror Stardew’s daily progression loop.
What makes it unique
Disney characters drive the quests and storylines, giving it strong personality and fan appeal.
Key features:
- Character-driven quests
- Farming and cooking
- Valley restoration
Price: ~$29.99 | Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
9. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Why it’s similar
Daily routines, relationship building, fishing, decorating, and slow progression create the same cozy rhythm Stardew fans love.
What makes it unique
It runs in real time and focuses heavily on customization and island design rather than structured farming seasons.
Key features:
- Real-time calendar
- Island customization
- Villager relationships
Price: ~$59.99 | Platforms: Switch
10. Fae Farm
Why it’s similar
Fae Farm combines farming, crafting, and social systems with exploration, keeping the familiar daily loop intact.
What makes it unique
The magical world setting adds fantasy combat and whimsical environments to explore.
Key features:
- Magical farming
- Co-op play
- Character progression
Price: ~$39.99 | Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
11. Little Witch in the Woods
Why it’s similar
It focuses on gathering, crafting, and interacting with a small community in a peaceful environment.
What makes it unique
Brewing potions and exploring forests replace large-scale farming systems, offering a lighter life sim experience.
Key features:
- Potion crafting
- Forest exploration
- Community tasks
Price: ~$24.99 | Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
12. Ooblets
Why it’s similar
Ooblets combines farming and town social events, keeping the relaxed progression structure Stardew players enjoy.
What makes it unique
Creature collection and dance battles add an entirely different gameplay layer.
Key features:
- Creature companions
- Farm management
- Town festivals
Price: ~$22.49 | Platforms: PC, Switch
13. Cozy Grove
Why it’s similar
Daily tasks, crafting, and interacting with townsfolk drive progression just like Stardew’s seasonal rhythm.
What makes it unique
It limits tasks per day, encouraging short, relaxed play sessions rather than long grinding sessions.
Key features:
- Daily quest system
- Seasonal crafting
- Spirit interactions
Price: ~$19.99 | Platforms: PC, Switch
14. Graveyard Keeper
Why it’s similar
It uses farming, crafting, resource management, and quest systems that feel structurally similar to Stardew’s gameplay loop.
What makes it unique
The darker tone and graveyard management mechanics give it a satirical twist.
Key features:
- Resource management
- Crafting trees
- Dark humor storytelling
Price: ~$14.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
15. Spiritfarer
Why it’s similar
Spiritfarer includes farming, crafting, cooking, and building systems alongside relationship development.
What makes it unique
Its emotional storytelling and boat-based management system set it apart from traditional farm sims.
Key features:
- Ship building
- Emotional narrative
- Crafting and farming
Price: ~$29.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
Full Comparison Table
| Game | Price | Platforms | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town | ~$39.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch | Classic farming |
| Coral Island | ~$29.99 | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch | Modern farm sim |
| Roots of Pacha | ~$29.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch | Community farming |
| Sun Haven | ~$24.99 | PC, Switch | Fantasy farming |
| My Time at Portia | ~$29.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch | Crafting progression |
| My Time at Sandrock | ~$39.99 | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch | Expanded life sim |
| Dinkum | ~$24.99 | PC, Switch | Sandbox farming |
| Disney Dreamlight Valley | ~$29.99 | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch | Character-driven life sim |
| Animal Crossing: New Horizons | ~$59.99 | Switch | Daily life routine |
| Fae Farm | ~$39.99 | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch | Magical farming |
| Little Witch in the Woods | ~$24.99 | PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | Cozy gathering sim |
| Ooblets | ~$22.49 | PC, Switch | Creature collecting |
| Cozy Grove | ~$19.99 | PC, Switch | Relaxed daily tasks |
| Graveyard Keeper | ~$14.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch | Dark farming twist |
| Spiritfarer | ~$29.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch | Emotional management sim |
Conclusion: What to Play First
If you loved Stardew Valley, start with Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town, Coral Island, or Roots of Pacha. Those three capture the farming loop, community growth, and relationship systems most directly. Players who want fantasy elements should try Sun Haven or Fae Farm, while customization fans will enjoy Animal Crossing.
No matter which you choose, every game on this list proves that farming and life sims work best when progression feels meaningful and personal. If you have a favorite cozy life sim that belongs here, drop it in the comments.
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