[Update 20/07/2021 12:00: This article has been updated to include additional launch platforms for Kitaria Fables.]
Stardew Valley is a beloved indie farming simulator game. Originally launched in 2016, the game has only had one major update in that time outside of standard patches. While the 1.5 update added new features as well as patched several minor issues, it left many fans thirsty for more content. The dearth is seemingly because Stardew Valley was initially the creation of one person, Eric Barone, who has now expanded to a small team. Fortunately, though another Stardew Valley update many not come out soon, there are a number of similar titles launching in 2021 for players to enjoy.
Some games Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town, Sun Haven, and Deiland: Pocket Planet have already released. Others are tentatively set to launch in 2022, such as Roots of Pacha, One Lonely Outpost, and Ova Magica. Still others, such as Yokai Inn and Little Witch in the Woods, have no set release date as of yet, but garnered significant attention thanks to E3 2021's Wholesome Direct and subsequent ID@Xbox Summer Game Fest Demo event.
Many of the simulator titles releasing in 2021 are, like Stardew Valley, indie creations. This is standard for the genre, outside of AAA games like Nintendo's Animal Crossing series and EA's The Sims. The benefit of indie sim games is freedom of creation, as well as open communication with developers. It's quickly becoming standard for indie games to go into early access and let players a discord with the creators for a direct line of . The major downside is many indie titles struggle to find a deadline and often end up pushing a launch date, and as such many of the dates and timelines below are subject to change. The games in 2021 range from fantastical to realistic, and each showcases diverse animation styles. Some are very similar to Stardew Valley in narrative and gameplay, while others will ask players to try something new in the slice-of-life simulation genre.
Best Game Like Stardew Valley In 2021 - Lake
Lake is, in many ways, Stardew Valley focused solely on developing relationships with the townsfolk. In the story, Meredith Weiss takes a vacation from her busy job in the city to spend two weeks delivering mail in her hometown. While the mechanics of driving the truck and delivering mail and packages in Lake may be just as relaxing as Stardew Valley, this game shines as it allows players to interact with and get to know the NPCs in town. At the end of the narrative, when the two weeks are done, players decide if Meredith will return to her life in the city or stay in her hometown. Set for a Sept. 1 launch, the same date as the start of the game's narrative, Lake will be available on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, Mac and Windows.
Best Game Like Stardew Valley In 2021 - Mineko's Night Market
Rather than being a farming simulator game like Stardew Valley, Minkeo's Night Market is focused on the art of crafting. In the game, players are Mineko, the new resident of an island village located at the base of fictional Mount Fugu. As she explores the landscape, she can gather materials and learn how to craft new items, which she then sells at the local night market. Interestingly, most of the relationship building with the locals comes from interactions at the night market, as opposed to engaging with them in the player's day to day life. The trailer shows gameplay involving players using an electric saw to carve wood into different shapes for creations, a fun feature not seen in similar simulation games. Though Mineko's Night Market doesn't have a release date yet, it is slated to launch sometime in 2021 for Nintendo Switch and Windows and Mac operating systems.
Best Game Like Stardew Valley In 2021 - My Time at Sandrock
A steampunk version of a farming simulator game like Stardew Valley, My Time at Sandrock brings players to the wild west. Playing a character of their own creation, they are tasked with gathering machine parts littered through the landscape in order to rebuild a broken down town. From the same developers of My Time at Portia, the game was initially intended to be a DLC, but grew into a full game in its own right, set in the same post-apocalyptic world. My Time at Sandrock is set to launch in early access for PC in 2021, with plans to release the full game in Spring of 2022.
Best Game Like Stardew Valley In 2021 - Coral Island
Coral Island takes all the delights of a simulation game and places them on a tropical island in need of revitalization. This game follows several beats from Stardew Valley's narrative, starting the players with a customized avatar moving from the big city to an overgrown farm. From there, they are tasked with bringing the farm back to live, cleaning the local coral reef, exploring island caves, and building relationships with fellow town residents.
With Joja Mart swapped out for the coral reef, Coral Island is continuing Stardew Valley's simulator theme of bringing new life to old communities, driving out industrialization along the way. Currently set to launch at some time in 2021, Coral island will be available for PC.
Best Game Like Stardew Valley In 2021 - Kitaria Fables
Currently set to release on September 2 this year, Kitaria Fables is a farming-based RPG. Players act as a cat of their own design, exploring the world in and around Paw Village. Unlike some of its counterparts, Kitaria Fables centers its narrative on combat and quests in the wilderness. However, the game is still based on a system of farming and crafting to enable players to gather resources needed to carry out the larger narrative. The story also features a cat god that's sure to excite players. At launch, Kitaria Fables will allow solo or multiplayer, and will be available on Xbox, Switch and PlayStation as well as PC.
Best Game Like Stardew Valley In 2021 - Farming Simulator 22
Farming Simulator's latest edition, Farming Simulator 22, is set to launch on November 22. It will add maps, brands, machines and crops to the already established franchise. All machines in Farming Simulator are modeled after real-life tools farmers use, as this game is a true simulation experience and lacks any RPG or narrative elements. It weaves players through the lives of farmers across all four seasons, giving a realistic feel for the rural occupation. Farming Simulator 22 will be available on PC and Mac operating systems, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Stadia and mobile devices - and it's a nice alternative to anyone who wants Stardew Valley to have more realism.
