There's a charm to life simulation games that provide calm and relaxing gameplay, perfect for unwinding after a long day. Stardew Valley perfectly captures this, as players can sit back and enjoy tending to their farms, building relationships with the villagers, joining festivities happening in town, and exploring newly unlocked areas.
However, you might be looking for alternatives to Stardew Valley, as it can feel stagnant if you've been playing the same game over the years. Below, we'll take a look at other games that have similarities to Stardew Valley but also carry their own charm and mechanics.
Coral Island
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox X|S
Coral Island is a farming simulation game that was released in 2023 by Stairway Games. This is a game that's at the top of the list as it will give players a feel similar to Stardew Valley. You will be tending to your plants on a tropical island filled with islanders with whom you can spend time and build relationships. You can also explore caverns, join in events, and care for animals.
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+ 7Coral Island provides players with character customization to live their days on the island. It is also inclusive, with characters having traits that mimic real life. Each character has their own personalities and problems, which make them interesting and unique.
It is still under development, but the developers have included exciting updates in the roadmap. These include multiplayer, kids growing up, and a whole lot more!
Fields of Mistria
Platforms: PC
Fields of Mistria is a charming farming simulation that is perfect for players who love Stardew Valley and the original Harvest Moon games. It has cute pixelated art, with the character portraits reminiscent of 90s Anime. It also gives Studio Ghibli vibes from its art style and the background music. After a short intro, you will be able to create your character, making this experience more personalized.
click to enlarge+ 7You will be tending to your farm, caring for the cute animals, fishing, mining, and eventually unlocking magic that will help you with various tasks. What stands out from this game is the personality of the NPCs, which makes them charming and fun to interact with.
Fields of Mistria is currently in Steam Early Access, but it's still worth a try. There are some bugs here and there, but since it's still being developed continuously, fixes and new content will come.
Moonstone Island
Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, Nintendo Switch
Moonstone Island is a cute simulation game where you play as an Alchemist in training. While there is farming in the game to give you materials for brewing potions, it also focuses on creature-collecting. There are over 70 Spirits that you can tame and befriend to help you. The combat system in the game uses cards with specific effects and attacks for your Spirit to follow.
click to enlarge+ 7However, the game does not offer character customization, so it won't feel as personalized as games like Stardew Valley or Coral Island. Despite that, you're still able to start a romance with many of the characters, and explore the procedurally generated world as you see fit!
Wanderstop
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox X|S
Wanderstop is not solely about growing crops like in Stardew Valley, but it's also about making tea! You'll be managing the tea shop and attending to any passing travelers who become customers. This is narrative-centric, so you won't be able to do any character customization as you'll be following Alta's story.
click to enlarge+ 7The soundtrack while you play is very relaxing, and the processes involved are also fairly simple. While the gameplay feels light, the story behind the main character is quite heavy. It is a meaningful game that allows players who may be struggling with problems to reflect on their own lives.
Fae Farm
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox X|S
Fae Farm is a fantasy farming simulation where you get to create your character and start your life in its magical land. There is also a co-op of up to 4 players if you want to play with friends. Like most of the games on this list, you will get to tend to your farm, have meaningful relationships with the game's NPCs, explore the various areas of the game's world, and a whole lot more.
click to enlarge+ 7Graveyard Keeper
Platforms: PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One
Graveyard Keeper is a management simulation game set in medieval times. There is no character customization involved, and you can only play as the man. However, the gameplay is very relaxing despite the darkness of the game's theme.
You will manage the graveyard, run the church, handle the bodies that are delivered, meet with the townspeople, and, of course, grow your own plants. It's not entirely similar to Stardew Valley, but it has the same feel that many players are looking for when they search for alternatives.
click to enlarge+ 7Rune Factory 4 Special
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS, PS4, Xbox One
Rune Factory 4 is specifically listed here, but you can always check out the other installments in the franchise, like Rune Factory 5. This is a 3DS port to other platforms, but it doesn't take away its charm. You can tend to the farm, raise monsters, and cook dishes like the other games on this list.
Rune Factory 4 also focuses on its combat, where you can use different weapons as you go on adventures with the allies you make along the way. You can also have a happily-ever-after with the eligible NPC. Just a great game overall and definitely worth a try.
click to enlarge+ 7These are some of the best alternatives to Stardew Valley available in 2025. There will definitely be more in the future, like "Welcome to Elderfield," so stay tuned for those as well!
For more articles like this, take a look at our Strategy and Simulation Games, Stardew Valley, and Lists pages.