looking for pc games like stardew valley? There are few fantasies as tantalizing as the thought of simply leaving the world of work and offices and moving to the countryside to do something simpler and more rewarding. It’s one of the things that makes Stardew Valley such an extraordinarily enjoyable game: it’s not only well done, it’s the perfect escape.
Possibly one of the best PC games of recent years for its nice blend of romance, relaxation, and shopping, you’d be forgiven for wanting more games like Stardew Valley. There are different aspects of the games below, so none are direct clones – some are some of the best management games around, while others may be more farming focused. However, they all have something in common with Stardew Valley, so you’ll enjoy at least one or two of them.
Here are the best games, like Stardew Valley in 2023:
cemetery caretaker
Before I say anything, yes, farms and cemeteries are very different, we know that. However, the handling of both, at least according to Graveyard Keeper, is quite similar. You play as someone tending to a medieval graveyard, with the goal of maximizing profits and keeping the dead in their place.
It’s also a love story, you see, just like Stardew Valley. Plus, it proudly proclaims that it’s “the most inaccurate medieval graveyard management simulation,” so it’s something to enjoy if you’d rather avoid the notion of historical accuracy in games.
My stay at Sandrock
Have you ever wanted to play Stardew Valley but in 3D? Well, it’s basically the My Time series. My Time at Portia can also be considered one of the best games of all time like Stardew, so if you haven’t played it, you can start there before moving on to Sandrock. In My Time at Sandrock, you head into the wilderness in a post-apocalyptic world to restart civilization from scratch, turning a disused barn into a productive factory, growing crops and raising wildlife.
My Time at Sandrock only gets better with its sprawling open world, deep NPC stories, and fun mini-games, which you can explore as much or as little as you like.
Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom
Set in the world of nature, your goal is to farm, meet new people, and get along with the weird robotic cat that is Doraemon. Story of Seasons is generally considered the successor to the Harvest Moon series, so it’s just a really good farming game that also has a robotic cat. We loved it so much we got a sequel in Friends of the Great Kingdom, which takes the story forward with the same adorable visuals you’ll recognize from the first game. Filled with deeply charming anime style, Doraemon Story of Seasons is great fun to play. It’s that simple.
slime farmer 2
Slime Rancher is secretly one of the best farming games in recent years. It has gorgeous styling, an incredibly quirky setting, and one of the funniest ways to interact with the world yet. 2022 then gave us its sequel, in which you return as protagonist Beatrix LeBeau, but this time our breeder traveled to the colorful Rainbow Island to discover even more new and interesting slimes than before. Raise them, mix them into new variations, and keep them happy and fed. As you progress and unlock new areas of the beautiful map, you’ll also solve a mystery just light years from Earth.
Moonlight
Moonlighter is an action RPG, but it has roguelike elements. You play as Will, a shopkeeper who would rather kill monsters and save the world than run the shop.
You spend your nights looking for treasure in dungeons and you spend your days selling that treasure in your shop. You can set prices, decide if you want to make a sale, and generally try to grow your business. The best part is that both aspects of this game are great fun, the combat is good, but the satisfaction of perfectly pricing a new item never gets old.
Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness and the Secret Hideout
The Atelier games are a series that follows various alchemists on their adventures. It may be the furthest setting from our games like Stardew Valley, but there’s a good reason why JRPG gaming belongs here. This particular title follows Ryza, a talented and ambitious character who feels trapped in his sleepy town.
Soon you meet a master alchemist and thus begin your journey into the world of chemical compositions and strange reactions. The crafting system in this game is incredibly deep and is also tied to battles, with items being a key part of every encounter. It’s fun, it’s easy on the eyes, and it’s anime as hell.
dawn of the world
World’s Dawn is the closest approximation to games like Stardew Valley on this list. You live in an ever-changing small town while you tend to your farm and try to build your country house. There are tons of characters to meet, tons of things to do, and changing seasons provide new gameplay. It’s incredibly charming and the art style is wonderfully simple. It might not be the only game here, but if you’re looking for a game like Stardew Valley, no other game comes as close as World’s Dawn.
These are the best Stardew Valley alternatives, but for more crafting inspiration, here are the best building games on PC, and some of the best crafting games have a Stardew Valley feel too. And as if that weren’t enough to keep you busy, our list of the best free PC games is a great way to try something new risk-free.