3 Relaxing Farm Sims That Are Soothing Enough for Stardew Valley Fans

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Released in 2016, Stardew Valley is still considered the best farming simulation game, thanks to ongoing updates from its creator. While many developers have tried to create similar games, most don’t quite measure up. Recently, a few studios have come close, offering good alternatives for players who want something new. These games each offer a unique take on the farming sim genre, appealing to different preferences. However, at least one of these newer titles is likely to be a good fit for you.

Here are three great alternatives for fans of Stardew Valley.

3) Fields of Mistria

Although Fields of Mistria isn’t officially released yet – it entered early access in 2024 with a full launch planned for later this year – the game already offers a lot to do. It’s a unique blend of Stardew Valley and Sailor Moon, and players familiar with Stardew will quickly recognize features like character customization and the ability to build relationships with and marry townspeople. Despite these familiar elements, Mistria still manages to feel new and exciting.

The most striking thing about this game is its art style, which is heavily inspired by 1990s anime. While it uses pixel art like Stardew Valley, it has a distinctly different look. You’ll also have some magical powers to help with farming and exploring. What really sets it apart is that Mistria simplifies some of the more frustrating parts of games like Stardew Valley. For instance, you won’t have to constantly refill your watering can, and it’s much easier to figure out what the characters you’re trying to build relationships with actually want.

Mistria feels like a natural next step for games like Stardew Valley, especially if you’re a fan of 1990s anime. It’s definitely worth playing, even though it’s currently in early access – don’t let that discourage you!

2) Sun Haven

Okay, so I’ve been playing Sun Haven, and it’s a lot like Stardew Valley, but seriously, it takes everything to the next level. There are so many people to get to know – hundreds of NPCs! – and you can actually romance 23 of them. Farming is still a big part of it, yeah, you can raise your usual cows and chickens, but get this: you can also have werewolves, griffons, and even tar slimes running around your ranch! The coolest part though? You can play with up to eight of your friends online, which makes everything even more fun.

Sun Haven is a huge farming simulator with a surprising amount of content packed into a compact game. While it offers plenty of traditional farming, the game truly shines when you get into combat. It’s more like a role-playing game than a typical farming sim like Stardew Valley. You’ll develop skills that impact both farming and fighting, and you’ll face challenging boss battles during your adventures.

While Sun Haven features more combat than Stardew Valley, it still maintains a relaxing and charming atmosphere. There’s a ton to do, so you’ll easily lose yourself in the game’s world. And if you enjoy games like Vampire Survivor, the developers, Pixel Sprout, also created a spin-off called Sun Down.

1) Roots of Pacha

The idea behind Roots of Pacha is simple: it’s like Stardew Valley, but set in the Stone Age. That’s really all you need to know, but let me tell you why it’s worth playing. Of the games I’ve tried, Pacha best captures the relaxing and peaceful feeling of Stardew Valley. It’s a truly calming game – perfect for unwinding after a long day.

I’m really excited about the setting – it’s during the time of woolly mammoths, which means you don’t just have farming, you have to invent it! It’s like we’re building modern farming from scratch, shaping the world as we go. And honestly, that opens the door for the developers to sneak in some really fun jokes and unique ways to play, which I’m totally here for.

Pacha offers many of the features you’d find in games like Stardew Valley. You’ll meet lots of characters, including some you can build relationships with, tame wild animals, and explore caves for valuable items. What really sets Pacha apart is its relaxing pace – there’s no pressure to rush. This makes it a great game to play after Stardew Valley, at least until the creator of Stardew Valley releases their next game, Haunted Chocolatier.

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2026-01-11 22:12