The Best Cozy Games for People Who Love Stardew Valley

ByKristen Wood

If you love the relaxing, wholesome vibes of Stardew Valley, you’re in for a treat. There are plenty of cozy games out there that offer the same charming mix of farming, friendships, and slow-paced adventure.

Whether you’re looking for a new world to escape into or just need something to fill the void between harvests, these games are perfect for unwinding.

Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town

A character with blonde hair feeds chickens near a barn by a river, reminiscent of games like Harvest Moon. A caption reads, "Hey there, Munch. You're looking happy and healthy today.
Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town | Gameplay Screenshot

As the spiritual successor to the Harvest Moon series, Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town delivers a classic farming sim experience. If you love Stardew Valley, you’ll feel right at home tending to crops, raising animals, and forming friendships in this cozy, nostalgic world.

Rune Factory 4 Special

A screenshot of a game, reminiscent of Stardew Valley, showing a vibrant garden.
Rune Factory 4 Special | Gameplay Screenshot

For fans of Stardew Valley who want a bit more adventure, Rune Factory 4 Special mixes farming and relationship-building with RPG combat. You’ll grow crops, tame monsters, and explore dungeons—all while getting to know a colorful cast of characters.

Garden Paws

A cartoon animal sporting glasses and a cape stands heroically near chickens in a grassy area, reminiscent of the whimsical settings in games like Tiny Glade, with charming wooden structures creating an enchanting backdrop.
Garden Paws | Gameplay Screenshot

If Stardew Valley’s peaceful farming and community-building drew you in, Garden Paws offers a similar experience with an extra dose of charm. Run your own farm, manage a shop, and explore a beautifully whimsical world—all while playing as an adorable animal.

Slime Rancher

A video game with a pink ball in a desert, reminiscent of games like Hello Kitty.
Slime Rancher | Gameplay Screenshot

For those who love Stardew Valley’s farming mechanics but want something a little different, Slime Rancher is a delightful alternative. Instead of crops, you’ll raise adorable, bouncing slimes on an alien planet—exploring, collecting, and managing your ever-growing ranch.

Moonlighter

A screenshot of a game similar to Stardew Valley with a farm and trees.
Moonlighter | Gameplay Screenshot

If you love the farming-to-adventuring balance of Stardew Valley, Moonlighter takes it in a new direction. You’ll spend your days running a shop and your nights dungeon-diving for loot, blending cozy town life with exciting action.

Spiritfarer

A group of various anthropomorphic animals stand together, facing a glowing archway, surrounded by trees and soft light.
Spiritfarer | Gameplay Screenshot

For a cozy game with an emotional twist, Spiritfarer offers a heartfelt journey about caring for spirits before they move on. Like Stardew Valley, it’s filled with resource management, farming, and deep character interactions, but with a unique focus on saying goodbye in the most beautiful way.

Graveyard Keeper

A screenshot of a village in a game like Stardew Valley.
Graveyard Keeper | Gameplay Screenshot

If you enjoy Stardew Valley but want something a little darker, Graveyard Keeper delivers with its quirky, morbid humor. Instead of running a farm, you’re managing a medieval cemetery—crafting, expanding, and making ethically questionable business decisions in the most laid-back way possible.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Colorful scene from "Animal Crossing: New Horizons" showing animal characters and a human character on a beach with tents, a building, and various activities.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons | Gameplay Screenshot

For those who adore the slow-paced charm of Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers a similar cozy experience with a tropical twist. Customize your island, befriend adorable animal villagers, and enjoy stress-free decorating and fishing at your own pace. It’s the ultimate game for unwinding.

Harvest Moon: Light of Hope

In this serene farming sim, a player tends to a grid-like garden of diverse plants by the river. With a thought bubble displaying a watering can and sunflower, the adventure unfolds alongside a handy map in the bottom right corner.
Harvest Moon: Light of Hope | Gameplay Screenshot

A classic farming sim with heartwarming simplicity, Harvest Moon: Light of Hope brings the nostalgic farming and relationship-building elements that Stardew Valley fans love. As you rebuild a storm-ravaged town, you’ll grow crops, raise animals, and form bonds with the villagers—all while enjoying a relaxing, feel-good experience.

My Time at Portia

A character in a virtual game rides a horse through a grassy area with wooden buildings, a windmill, and hot air balloons in the background. Reminiscent of games like My Time at Portia, various game status bars are visible at the bottom.
My Time at Portia | Gameplay Screenshot

If you love Stardew Valley but want a bigger world to explore, My Time at Portia is a perfect pick. This cozy life-sim lets you run your own workshop, befriend quirky townspeople, and take on crafting quests in a charming, pastel-colored world. With farming, mining, and even dungeon-crawling, there’s always something to do.

Kristen is a writer, photographer, cookbook author and avid cozy gamer. Her work has been featured in various publications including Forbes, The Associated Press, Elle, Pure Wow, Chicago Sun-Times, and Willow & Sage Magazine.

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