14 Best Cozy Games Like Stardew Valley [Updated 2025]

If you are reading this chances are you have spent hours, maybe hundreds of hours farming in Stardew Valley tending crops befriending townsfolk and watching the seasons shift. And now you have hit that moment you have done it all. You have maxed the community centre and dated your favourite NPC unlocked that elusive achievement you’ve been putting off. Yet there is still a little hollow space in your gamer-heart. A “Stardew-shaped hole” if you will.

Well take heart there are plenty of cozy games that scratch exactly that same itchthe one for planting growing building connections creating a home and enjoying gentle routines. In this article I shall walk you through 14 of the best titles for 2025 that channel that spirit of Stardew in their own unique ways.

I shall also give you a step-by-step guide on how to pick the right game for you, sprinkle in anecdotes (because yes I have done the “just one more day” thing) and explain why you can buy with confidence. So pour your favourite tea (or coffee) settle in and let’s dig into the world of cozy farming games.

Quick Info

No.	Game Title	Core Theme / Gameplay	Unique Feature	Available Platforms
1	My Time at Sandrock	Frontier-style life sim with farming, crafting, community building	Deep workshop system and town restoration mechanics	PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
2	Rune Factory Series	Mix of farming + RPG + dungeon crawling	Monster taming, combat & relationships	PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation
3	Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town	Classic farming sim (Harvest Moon remake)	Nostalgic tone with festivals and romance	PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation
4	Coral Island	Tropical farming + underwater exploration	Eco-friendly restoration & ocean cleanup quests	PC, PlayStation, Xbox
5	Sun Haven	Cozy RPG farming sim with fantasy races	Co-op multiplayer and skill tree progression	PC, Nintendo Switch
6	Wylde Flowers	Magical life-sim about a witch’s garden	Inclusive cast, strong narrative focus	PC, Switch, PlayStation, iOS
7	Roots of Pacha	Stone-age farming + community building	Discovering inventions instead of buying	PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
8	Littlewood	Post-adventure town-building sim	No time pressure, pure relaxation	PC, Nintendo Switch
9	Fields of Mistria	Pixel-art farming with magic & romance	90s-anime vibe and magical mechanics	PC (Steam Early Access)
10	Wanderstop	Tea-shop tending and peaceful exploration	Narrative depth & emotional storytelling	PC, PlayStation, Xbox
11	Summer in Mara	Farming, sailing & exploration on islands	Cute art style and ocean-based gameplay	PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
12	Fae Farm	Fantasy farming with combat and crafting	Dungeon exploration & co-op multiplayer	PC, Nintendo Switch
13	Disney Dreamlight Valley	Cozy life sim with Disney & Pixar characters	Memory restoration quests + sandbox decorating	PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
14	Farming Simulator Series	Realistic farming & management sim	Licensed vehicles & true-to-life farming systems	PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Mobile

Why We Love Stardew Valley (and Why the Alternatives Matter)

Before we dive into the list let’s pause and ask: what makes a game “like Stardew Valley”? Because when you understand that you’ll recognise why each of these alternatives works and which one might fit you best.

The Core Ingredients

Here are the key elements that Stardew nails and that cozy farming-life games try to replicate or build upon:

• Routine with freedom: Each day you water crops, maybe mine, maybe talk to a neighbour. That structure gives comfort and choice.
• A warm charming setting: Whether you’re in Pelican Town or another cosy locale there’s that sense of small-town community memorable characters and seasons that matter.
• Relationships & community: Building friendships (and yes maybe romance) festivals events: those turn what could be a solo grind into something alive.
• Progression but not pressure: You can rush quickly but you’re rewarded for taking your time.
  
• Hands-on systems: Farming animals crafting optionally combat or exploring mines enough depth to feel meaningful but simple enough to relax into.

So when we say games like Stardew Valley we’re talking about titles that let you slow down, build connection and enjoy. The list below offers 14 fantastic picks each with its own twist.

How to Use This List

Here is a step-by-step guide to choosing your next cozy game:

1. Step 1: Think about what you loved most in Stardew. Was it the farming loop? The town relationships? The exploration/mining?
2. Step 2: Decide what you’re less keen on. Maybe you don’t want heavy combat. Maybe you want more story or less time pressure.
3. Step 3: Browse the list and pick a game whose unique twist appeals most.
4. Step 4: Read reviews and watch gameplay clips (you’ll get a feel of the rhythm).
5. Step 5: Buy it and give it a good ~10 hours. See if it clicks.
6. Step 6: If it doesn’t click, no worries. Move on to the next game. Just like Stardew found you, so will another cozy gem.

This is not a choreit’s an opportunity. Let’s turn that Stardew-shaped hole into a fresh new home.

The 14 Best Cozy Games Like Stardew Valley

1. My Time at Sandrock

Imagine Stardew but in a dusty frontier town. That’s My Time at Sandrock. You are rebuilding a workshop helping a community doing crafting and farming with optional livestock and crops tucked in.
Why you’ll like it:

• If you loved Stardew’s crafting/building side but want something bigger
• You like a town-building vibe along with the farming
• The world feels familiar but fresh
  Anecdote: I jumped in thinking “just a quick 10-hour test” and ended up losing a full weekend to forging tools chatting with NPCs and discovering hidden side-quests.
  Buy-with-confidence tip: It’s polished, it delivers the core loop you know but gives you more. If the Stardew rhythm still warms your heart this will too.

2. Rune Factory (series)

Here is a twist: take the comfort of Stardew’s farming + relationships and layer in dungeon-crawling monster-taming and action. This is for when you’ve done the plain farming and want a bit more structure or story.
Why you’ll like it:

• If you don’t mind occasional combat
• If you want more narrative or fantasy flavour
• If you loved Stardew’s mining / Skull Cavern sections and wish for more
  Personal note: I tried Rune Factory 4 after finishing Stardew and the first dungeon boss surprised me but it was exactly the kind of twist I needed to keep things fresh.

3. Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town

Want the classic farming-sim experience very much in Stardew’s design lineage? This remake offers that: planting crops, raising livestock, befriending townsfolk attending festivals.
Why you’ll like it:

• If you prefer the traditional loop with little to no combat
• If you love pixel / HD stylised graphics and cosy simplicity
• If you want something very familiar yet distinct
  Anecdote: I remember the first summer in this gameI unlocked the spa festival and felt immediately at home. That was the “yes this is what I wanted” moment.

4. Coral Island

Take Stardew’s farming + social simulation vibe but set it on a vibrant tropical island with underwater exploration, deeper story threads and eco-themes.
Why you’ll like it:

• If you want a colourful 3D world instead of purely pixel
• If you’re keen for exploration beyond the farm (underwater reefs mines)
• If the charm of community and relationships is still a priority
  Buy tip: The art and soundtrack alone sell it if you love the idea of revitalising a whole island and doing so at your own pace this is a top pick.

5. Sun Haven

A cozy farm sim that includes an advanced skill tree, multiple villages, optional combat and co-op. Think: Stardew but with extra layers.
Why you’ll like it:

• If you still want farming + friendships but also enjoy RPG elements
• If you want to play online with friends (co-op mode!)
• If “just farming” feels too slow and you’d like more progression
  Anecdote: One night in Sun Haven I hopped online with a friend and she built a potion shop. I focused on the farm and we swapped resources. It reminded me why co-op farming sims are so fun.

6. Wylde Flowers

Here’s a magic twist you play as a witch, you tend your garden, make potions and build relationships in a charming town. It’s cozy, inclusive and full of heart.
Why you’ll like it:

• If you loved the ritual of farming but want something slightly different
• If you enjoy narrative-rich characters and magic-themed mechanics
• If you like a story that tugs a little bit at emotions (yep there are some tears)
  Buyer confidence: If you want the comfort of the farming loop with a little extra narrative depth Wylde Flowers is a lovely pick.

7. Roots of Pacha

Back in time, very far back. This one is set in the stone age: you help a clan grow, discover tools and build community rather than relying purely on coins.
Why you’ll like it:

• If you loved Stardew’s community focus and want it pushed further
• If you like the idea of discovering rather than just purchasing
• If you enjoy co-op with friends (yes this supports it)
  Anecdote: My first “invention” in Roots of Pacha felt like a big winI discovered how to make a sickle instead of buying one. That novelty made the world feel alive.

8. Littlewood

What if you’ve done the “build your farm” loop and want to reshape the town? Littlewood leans more into city-building after the big adventure is over. Think: a restful epilogue where you craft, build community, decorate and relax.
Why you’ll like it:

• If you want farming but also building & decorating in a town context
• If you prefer chill low-pressure gameplay (no big bosses no dramatic story arcs)
• If you loved Stardew’s after-hours of “let’s just decorate everything”
  Buy tip: Ideal for relaxing late-evening sessions when you just want to wind down with a good loop.

9. Fields of Mistria

Pixel art meets a 90s-anime world with farming, fishing, mining romance and magic. This one feels like Stardew but with bright colours spells and that “what’s next?” energy.
Why you’ll like it:

• If the pixel-art aesthetic of Stardew is a major draw for you
• If you like romance festivals and story threads alongside farming
• If you’re curious about adding magical mechanics to your life-sim
  Anecdote: I was surprised by how quickly I got sucked into the romance arcs in this onesomething I didn’t even realize I missed until I found them again.

10. Wanderstop

A bit different yet but still cosy. From the creator behind deep narrative games this one blends tea-shop tending planting seeds and meaningful interactions in a quiet world.
Why you’ll like it:

• If you’re ready for something less “farm with animals” and more “life-sim with purpose”
• If you still want planting/growth mechanics and community connection
• If you favour story and character over pure farming loops
  Buyer note: This may not hit exactly like Stardew but if you’re open to a fresh vibe with that same heart it’s definitely worth trying.

11. Summer in Mara

Set on islands with farming exploration by boat pirates and a sunshine-soaked vibe. If seaside life sailing and island-hopping appeal to you this one’s a gem.
Why you’ll like it:

• If you love ocean themes boats island hopping
• If you’re into farming + exploration in one
• If you want a laid-back setting but with a little adventure
  Anecdote: I remember my first sail in this gameI fixed my boat and set out to an island and felt the breeze of freedom. A lovely shift from the same-town loop.

12. Fae Farm

Here’s one for those who love Stardew for the full farm + mine + community loop and wouldn’t mind a bit more dungeon-crawling magic and bigger worlds.
Why you’ll like it:

• If you still want farm + animals + crops but also optional dungeon trips
• If you like a fantasy twist on the cozy life-sim
• If you enjoyed Stardew’s mined deep skylines and wish for more
  Buy tip: If you’ve maxed out the “normal” loops and want something with more depth and destination Fae Farm is a strong choice.

13. Disney Dreamlight Valley

Wholesome meets nostalgia. This one merges cozy life-sim mechanics with beloved Disney & Pixar characters craft farm decorate explore. If you want comfort with a splash of magic this is it.
Why you’ll like it:

• If you love the idea of working alongside your favourite characters in a sandbox life sim
• If you enjoy decorating crafting and gathering more than intense mechanics
• If you’re looking for something very relaxed and friendly
  Buyer confidence: Great for all ages, fun to dip into casually and full of charm. Just check the monetisation model if you’re cautious (some DLC/microtransactions apply).

14. Farming Simulator (series)

Finally: if the heart of Stardew for you was “manage a farm animals crops machines” but you want more realism this series gives that. Bigger machines real-world mechanics sprawling farms.
Why you’ll like it:

• If you loved the “farm management” side of Stardew and want a heavier simulation
• If you enjoy equipment vehicles logistics large-scale operation
• If you don’t mind less social interaction and more machine-time
  Note: It’s a different flavor but if your craving is “farm life” in the broadest sense you’ll find it satisfying.

Pick Your Next Cozy Game (in 5 Quick Questions)

Let’s refine the decision further with a quick checklist of questions:

1. What pace do I want? Relaxed and slow? Or a little more structure/adventure?
2. What setting appeals? Tiny rural town tropical island magical forest historic/futuristic?
3. What level of complexity? Just “farm + relationships”? Or “crafts + dungeons + skill-trees”?
4. Social factor? Do I want co-op or solo only?
5. Art/style matter? Pixel art? 3D graphics? Anime-inspired? Real-world aesthetic?

Answering those will help you match to one of the games above.

Example scenario

Let’s say you loved Stardew but felt the daily timer pressure was too much and you don’t enjoy heavy combat.
Then: try Littlewood or Disney Dreamlight Valley they lean very low-stress high charm.
Alternatively: If you want something with more “adventure” pick Fae Farm or Rune Factory.

Why (and How) You Can Buy with Confidence

• All the games listed are actively available in 2025 and have strong community/press endorsement.
• They offer value: each gives many hours of relaxed gameplay often with updates/mod support.
• Because you’re coming from Stardew Valley you already know you enjoy the loop so you’re not buying blindly.
• Most platforms offer refunds/demos; you can test the first ~10 hours and judge how you feel.

Pro tip: When you buy, give yourself a promise: “I’ll play at least until month 3 (in-game) or 10 real hours.” If you’re not enjoying it by then move on. No guilt. Just find your next cozy place.

Bonus Section: The Latest on Stardew Valley

Because you might still love the original and want to keep up with its updates before jumping to something new.

• Release date for the 1.6 update: It hit PC on March 19 2024. (Steam Store)
• Console and mobile ports of the version 1.6 update launched on November 4 2024. (Polygon)
• The full version history is recorded at the Stardew Valley wiki. (Stardew Valley Wiki)
• Many players use the subreddit for discussion and advice about the update: e.g. “Stardew Valley update 2025 reddit”. (Reddit)
• If you’re wondering about the “next update” after 1.6 developer Eric Barone (aka ConcernedApe) has confirmed that version 1.7 is in development though no release date is set yet. (PC Gamer)

So if you’re thinking: “Waitmaybe I should just stick with Stardew Valley and not go searching” that’s totally reasonable. But at the same time if you’re craving fresh soil to dig in the games above are your next great stop.

Conclusion

That little “hole” in your gamer-heart? It’s actually a sign you found something you deeply enjoy which is great. Stardew Valley gave you a sense of world routine connection. Now you can take that love forward into a new space.

The 14 games above each deliver a cozy heartfelt experience but with fresh settings, themes and mechanics to keep things interesting. Whether you pick a tropical island, a magical witch’s garden or a desert frontier workshop you’re stepping into a world built for slow-living community and delight.

So go ahead: choose your world load that save plant your first crop in the morning chat with your neighbour… and when the sun sets on your first season smile because you found a new home.