5 Upcoming 2026 Game Releases That Are Perfect for Stardew Valley Fans

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In 2026, Stardew Valley will celebrate its 10th anniversary. The popular farming simulation game, known for its charming pixel art, originally launched on PC in 2016 and has since become available on almost every gaming platform. For many players, it’s a uniquely immersive experience that’s hard to match. However, Stardew Valley wasn’t the first successful farming sim, and it won’t be the last. Several promising new games are set to release in 2026, offering players fresh and engaging farming experiences.

It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly why so many people adore Stardew Valley. It’s a unique blend of charming pixel art, rich backstory, and gameplay that’s easy to pick up but offers surprising depth. While many games are compared to Stardew, those comparisons aren’t always accurate. Simply being a farming game with pixel graphics and character relationships doesn’t make a game the next Stardew Valley. However, it could indicate that fans of the original might enjoy it. Here are 5 games that Stardew Valley fans should watch for in 2026.

5) Pokemon Pokopia

Platform(s): Nintendo Switch 2

Release Date: March 5th, 2026

Pokémon recently revealed a new game called Pokopia, and it’s a bit of a surprise! It’s not a traditional farming game, but it will definitely include some farming aspects. You play as a human-like Ditto and work with your Pokémon to restore a struggling island, similar to the classic ‘farm restoration’ storyline, but with a Pokémon twist.

The gameplay seems more similar to games like Animal Crossing and Dragon Quest Builders than Stardew Valley. However, if you like games that combine farming, building, and getting to know characters, Pokopia is definitely worth keeping an eye on.

4) Starsand Island

Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2

Release Date: February 1st, 2026

If you enjoy farming games like Stardew Valley, Starsand Island is a promising new title coming in early 2026. It features lovely 3D graphics and takes place on a charming Chinese-inspired island where you can make friends with cute animals and people.

This game combines the best parts of RPGs, farming simulations, and building games, feeling similar to both The Sims 4 and Stardew Valley. You’ll manage a farm, but also have complete freedom to design and build it however you like. Just like Stardew Valley, you can also enjoy combat and a wide variety of crafting options as you live your island life.

3) Moonlight Peaks

Platform(s): PC via Steam

Release Date: 2026

I’ve always been drawn to vampire themes, even before the Twilight craze, and that interest has stuck with me. So, when I heard about Moonlight Peaks, a farming game where you play as a vampire, I was immediately intrigued. Considering how surprisingly dark Stardew Valley can get, the concept actually feels like a natural fit. The game is being published by XSeed and Marvelous, known for creating consistently good farming simulation games.

Okay, so Moonlight Peaks isn’t going to remind you of Stardew Valley visually – it’s fully 3D! But if you love that cozy life sim, RPG, and farming mix, this game totally hits the same notes, but with a really cool vampire theme. Basically, you’re trying to show your vampire dad that you can be a good person and build meaningful connections, and you do that by moving to a small town. And, of course, there’s romance involved!

2) Sunkissed City

Platform(s): PC

Release Date: 2026

You might recognize this game because it’s made by someone who actually assisted the creator of Stardew Valley with some of its artwork. While it shares a similar pixelated look, this game feels quite different – instead of a remote island, it takes place in a huge, bustling city.

I’m so excited about Sunkissed City! You basically start a new life in this bustling city, and get to build a garden, make friends with everyone, and really dive into all the things the city has to offer. What I love is how much you can customize your character and even find romance! Plus, the whole story is about bringing the environment back to life, which is a really cool theme.

1) Fields of Mistria

Platform(s): PC

Release Date: 2026

For fans of Stardew Valley, I highly recommend checking out Fields of Mistria. It became available in Early Access in August 2024, and I’ve already spent quite a bit of time playing. Like Stardew, you move to a small town and work to restore the local farm. However, Fields of Mistria has more developed characters and a town that feels more vibrant. It also features a beautiful, soft color scheme reminiscent of Sailor Moon.

After more than a year of development and player feedback, Fields of Mistria will officially launch its full 1.0 version in 2026. The game is already well-developed, and this update will add even more content. In fact, it addresses many of the things I didn’t like about Stardew Valley. Fields of Mistria has the potential to become a true rival to ConcernedApe’s beloved farming classic.

Are you interested in any of these farming games? Let us know in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-12-20 20:42