15 Cozy Games Like Animal Crossing To Delight Your Senses

Games Like Animal Crossing: If you’ve reached the end of your journey in Animal Crossing: New Horizons and are on the lookout for games with a similar charm, there’s great news. There are plenty of games out there that capture the essence of Animal Crossing, offering relaxing and engaging experiences. Whether you enjoy soothing activities like fishing, cooking, farming, or meeting new characters and building a community, numerous games provide similar joy and entertainment. Here’s a detailed look at some of the best alternatives or games like Animal Crossing across various platforms.

Here are some of the best alternatives of the game Animal Crossing:

1. Cozy Grove

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4

Developer: Spry Fox

Genres: Life simulation game, Indie game, Adventure game, Casual game, Simulation Game

Initial release date: 19 March 2021

Publishers: Spry Fox, The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild

Series: Cozy Grove

Engine: Unity

Cozy Grove is a charming game where you play as a Spirit Scout on an island, helping the spirits of Cozy Grove. The game involves running errands, cooking, fishing, making friends, and tending to animals. Like Animal Crossing, you can only do so much each day, making it perfect for incorporating into your daily routine. Its adorable visuals and heartwarming gameplay make it a must-try for Animal Crossing fans.

2. Ooblets

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One

Developer: Glumberland

Initial release date: 15 July 2020

Mode: Single-player video game

Genres: Indie game, Adventure game, Life simulation game, Casual game, Strategy Video Game, Simulation Game

Designers: Rebecca Cordingley, Ben Wasser

Ooblets combines the creature-collecting fun of Pokémon with the life simulation of Animal Crossing. Set in the quirky world of Oob, you uncover the town, meet new people, and engage in dance battles with Ooblets. The game’s gentle, bizarre charm makes it a great choice for fans of Animal Crossing looking for something different yet familiar.

3. Stardew Valley

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Android, PlayStation 4, iOS, macOS

Developers: The Secret Police Limited, ConcernedApe LLC, ConcernedApe

Modes: Single-player video game, Multiplayer video game

Genres: Indie game, Role-playing Video Game, Adventure game

Designer: Eric Barone

Publishers: Eric Barone, ConcernedApe LLC, Chucklefish, Fangamer, 505 Games, ConcernedApe

Stardew Valley is a farming simulation game where you leave behind your old life to start fresh in Pelican Town. The game emphasizes building relationships with residents, much like Animal Crossing. You can engage in various activities such as farming, mining, fishing, and decorating your home. While there is combat in the caves, the game allows you to decide how to spend your day, creating a balance between work and relaxation.

4. Disney Dreamlight Valley

Genres: Adventure game, Life simulation game, Role-playing game, Simulation Game

Developers: Gameloft, Gameloft S.E.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4

Publisher: Gameloft

Initial release date: 6 September 2022

Engine: Unity

Disney Dreamlight Valley combines adventure and life simulation with a magical twist. In this game, you awaken in a valley suffering from the Forgetting, and it’s up to you to restore it. You have your own home, help Disney and Pixar characters, and engage in activities like fishing, cooking, and crafting. Its gameplay, goals, and duties echo the Nook Miles program from Animal Crossing, providing a familiar yet enchanting experience.

5. Coral Island

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows

Developer: Stairway Games

Initial release date: 8 October 2022

Mode: Single-player video game

Genres: Indie game, Life simulation game, Adventure game
Publisher: Humble Bundle

Coral Island offers a slice of island life where you run your own farm. You can tend crops, care for animals, and help restore the nearby town. The game includes features like customizing your character and outfits, improving the town’s rank, and diving in coral reefs. It combines the freedom and customization of Animal Crossing with unique aspects like restoring heritage sites.

6. The Sims 4

Initial release date: 22 July 2021

Genres: Life simulation game, Strategy Video Game, Simulation Game

Developers: Maxis, The Sims Studio, Blind Squirrel Games

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Mac operating systems

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Series: The Sims

The Sims 4 is the classic life simulation game that takes home design and customization to the next level. If you loved creating homes for your animal neighbors in Animal Crossing, The Sims 4 will captivate you with its advanced building tools and human-like sims. Unlike Animal Crossing, you need to manage bills and work, adding a layer of realism. With numerous expansions, The Sims 4 offers endless activities, including bug collecting, fishing, and exploring.

7. Staxel

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, SteamOS, Mac operating systems

Developers: Plukit, Plukit BV

Initial release date: 23 January 2018

Genres: Indie game, Role-playing Video Game, Adventure game, Life simulation game, Simulation Game

Publishers: Plukit, Humble Bundle

Engine: Proprietary Engine

In Staxel, a blocky sandbox adventure, you’re the newest resident in a village tasked with restoring a farm. The game involves forming friendships with unique villagers, customizing your home and farm, and exploring the world. Its sandbox nature allows for extensive customization, and you can also engage in activities like bug catching and hunting. Staxel offers a laid-back adventure with co-op functionality for added fun.

8. Castaway Paradise

Initial release date: 9 October 2014

Developers: Stolen Couch Games, rokaplay

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Android, Web browser

Mode: Single-player video game

Genres: Adventure game, Life simulation game, Simulation Game

Publishers: Rokaplay GmbH, Stolen Couch Games

Engine: Unity

Castaway Paradise closely mimics Animal Crossing’s island life. You find yourself on an island after a storm, where locals give you a tent to call home. The game involves exploring, getting to know residents, and unlocking more parts of the island. Anthropomorphic animals, bug catching, fishing, and crop growing create a familiar environment for Animal Crossing fans. It’s an excellent tropical alternative to New Horizons.

9. Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, GeForce Now, Microsoft Windows

Initial release date: 25 February 2021

Developers: Marvelous, Three Rings, Three Rings Inc.

Series: Story of Seasons

Genres: Role-playing Video Game, Life simulation game, Adventure game, Casual game, Simulation Game

Publishers: Marvelous, XSEED Games

Engine: Unity

A more expansive entry in the series, Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town shares similarities with Animal Crossing in its charming, relaxed gameplay. You move to a struggling town to start your own farm, with plenty of freedom to live your best farm life. Activities include growing crops, raising livestock, and making friends with the residents. You can also engage in various other activities like cooking and decorating, allowing you to shape the town and your farm as you wish.

10. Yonder: Cloud Catcher Chronicles

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S

Developer: Prideful Sloth

Genres: Adventure game, Indie game, Adventure

Initial release date: 18 July 2017

Mode: Single-player video game

Designer: Cheryl Vance

Publishers: Prideful Sloth, Merge Games, Nippon Ichi Software

Yonder: Cloud Catcher Chronicles provides a relaxing open-world experience on the island of Gemea. With no threats or dangers, you’re free to explore, help inhabitants, and develop various skills. You can take on different professions, such as being a chef or tailor, and run your own customizable farm. The diverse environments and friendly creatures enhance the game’s charm, making it a delightful, chilled-out adventure.

11. My Time at Portia

Developer: Pathea

Series: Pathea’s My time at

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Android, PlayStation 4, macOS, Xbox One, iOS, Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce Now, Microsoft Windows

Initial release date: 23 January 2018

Mode: Single-player video game

Genres: Role-playing Video Game, Adventure game, Indie game

Publishers: Team17, Nuverse

In My Time at Portia, you step into a post-apocalyptic world filled with charming, cartoony characters. As a builder, you craft buildings and items to fulfill commissions, which is your primary income source. The game offers endless activities, from fishing and farming to raising animals and discovering relics. The storyline adds depth, with quests to uncover the town’s mysteries. Interaction with residents is a significant part of the game, and you can even delegate combat to the Civil Corps if you prefer a more peaceful playthrough.

12. Forager

Platforms: Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, iOS

Genres: Indie game, Simulation Video Game, Role-playing Video Game, Shooter

Video Game, Fighting game, Adventure

Developers: HopFrog, HopFrog SA.

Mode: Single-player video game

Publisher: Humble Bundle

Initial release date: 18 April 2019

Engine: GameMaker, GameMaker Studio 2

For those who enjoy the resource-gathering aspect of Animal Crossing, Forager is a fantastic choice. Its colorful, cute visuals hide a deep, addictive loop of exploration, resource management, building, combat, and crafting. Inspired by games like Stardew Valley and Zelda, Forager allows you to spend time however you like—whether that’s dungeon raiding, building, or solving puzzles. It’s a game that can easily make you lose track of time.

13. Stranded Sails: Explorers of the Cursed Islands

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, iOS, Xbox One, Mac operating systems, tvOS

Developers: Alchemist Interactive, Alchemist Interactive GmbH

Genres: Role-playing game, Action-adventure game, Nonlinear gameplay

Initial release date: 19 September 2019

Publishers: Merge Games, rokapublish GmbH, Maple Whispering, Shifty Eye Games Limited

Engine: Unity

Stranded Sails takes you on a journey of survival and adventure after a shipwreck on a mysterious island. Unlike the tranquil setting of Animal Crossing, this game has a bit of an edge with supernatural elements. Your goal is to set up camp, farm crops, and work with fellow castaways to build a ship and escape. Side quests encourage exploration and interaction with the island’s flora and fauna. Despite its supernatural challenges, the game’s setting and tasks maintain a calming atmosphere.

14. Garden Paws

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Mac operating systems

Publisher: Bitten Toast Games

Developer: Bitten Toast Games

Genres: Role-playing game, Indie game, Adventure game, Life simulation game, Simulation Game, Adventure

Initial release date: 20 October 2018

Engine: Unity

Developed by Bitten Toast Games, Garden Paws brings a lot of Animal Crossing-like gameplay and style. You can choose from a range of adorable animals to play as, including bunnies, cats, and foxes, each customizable to your liking. The game revolves around inheriting a farm from your grandparents, collaborating with the Mayor and construction workers to develop the town, and customizing your home. Coins are essential, much like bells in Animal Crossing, which you earn by exploring caves, completing quests, and running your own shop. With activities like farming, fishing, cooking, and crafting, Garden Paws offers a relaxing, non-threatening experience with no enemies to worry about.

15. A Short Hike

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox Cloud Gaming

Developers: Adam Robinson-Yu, Adamgryu

Engine: Unity

Initial release date: 5 April 2019

Mode: Single-player video game

Composer: Mark Sparling

Genres: Adventure game, Indie game, Adventure

While A Short Hike differs from Animal Crossing in its mechanics, it shares a similar cozy atmosphere. Set in the picturesque Hawk Peak Provincial Park, you play as a bird exploring the serene landscape. The game is about wandering, making friends, swimming, and soaring between cliffs. There’s no pressure or time constraints, making it a perfect escape when the outside world feels overwhelming. It’s short, sweet, and delivers those warm fuzzy feelings synonymous with Animal Crossing.

Conclusion

Whether you’re drawn to the laid-back lifestyle, the engaging activities, or the charming characters of Animal Crossing, these games offer similar experiences with their own unique twists. From the relaxing exploration of A Short Hike to the enchanting adventures in Disney Dreamlight Valley, there’s a game here to suit every taste. These titles provide the same sense of comfort and creativity, making them excellent alternatives to Animal Crossing.

FAQs

Q 1. Can I customize my character and home in these games?
Ans: Yes, games such as The Sims 4 and Coral Island offer extensive customization options for both your character and your home, allowing for creative expression.

Q2. Are these games available on multiple platforms?
Ans: Yes, many of these games are available on various platforms including PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox. Check the specific game’s availability on your preferred platform.

Q3. Are these games suitable for younger players?
Ans: Most of these games are family-friendly and suitable for younger players. Games like Garden Paws and Cozy Grove are particularly gentle and ideal for younger audiences.

Q4. Do these games offer multiplayer options?
Ans: Some of these games, like Staxel and Stardew Valley, offer co-op or multiplayer functionality. Each game has different multiplayer features, so it’s worth checking out what each offers.

Q5. Do these games have a similar daily routine structure as Animal Crossing?
Ans: Games like Cozy Grove and Disney Dreamlight Valley have daily activities and routines similar to Animal Crossing, making them perfect for incorporating into a daily schedule.