13 Simulation games like Stardew Valley that you should try

Games like Stardew Valley · Find similar →

We filtered the 18 games similar to Stardew Valley down to the 13 that fit the “Simulation” category. Terraria, Potion Craft and Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Stardew Valley.

iRank91/ 100

Did you find what you were looking for?

GenreSandboxSubgenreCrafting Sandbox

The best simulation games like Stardew Valley

13 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Stardew Valley. Each one has been evaluated across 21 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1Terraria

iRank86

GenreSandboxSubgenreCrafting Sandbox

SoloMultiplayerCo-opNarrativeSandbox WorldOpen WorldFantasyCraftingExploration2DPixel Art

Steam👍 97%· 1.5MRAWG👍 80%· 2.5KMC81IGDB81· 13OC79· 33

Year 2011Dev Engine Software · 505 GamesPlaytime ~15hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are crafting sandboxes — sharing sandbox freedom, deep RPG systems and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: survival mechanics, precision platforming and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping visual novel storytelling

GenreSandboxSubgenreCrafting Sandbox

SoloRelaxingCozyCasualNarrativeSandbox WorldFantasyCrafting2D

Steam👍 93%· 43KIGDB70· 1OC83· 11

Year 2022Dev niceplay games · tinyBuildOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Fits the crafting sandboxes cluster, with sandbox freedom, deep simulation and deep RPG systems

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, setting medieval and historical setting, while skipping visual novel storytelling

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#3Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator

iRank83

GenreSandboxSubgenreCrafting Sandbox

SoloRelaxingCozyCasualNarrativeSandbox WorldCrafting2D

Steam👍 93%· 43KRAWG👍 72%· 190OC77· 8

Year 2022Dev niceplay games · tinyBuildPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Xbox

✓ Both are crafting sandboxes — sharing sandbox freedom, deep simulation and deep RPG systems

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, setting medieval and historical setting, while skipping visual novel storytelling

GenreSandboxSubgenreCrafting Sandbox

MultiplayerCo-opSoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationCrafting

Steam👍 92%· 117KRAWG👍 70%· 124

Year 2016Dev Axolot GamesPlaytime ~6hOn PC

✓ Same family of crafting sandboxes: sandbox freedom, deep simulation and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with survival mechanics, melee combat and online features, while skipping deep RPG systems

GenreSandboxSubgenreCrafting Sandbox

SoloMultiplayerCo-opSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationCrafting

Steam👍 89%· 134KRAWG👍 58%· 269MC68IGDB80· 1OC80· 5

Year 2013Dev Keen Software HousePlaytime ~5hOn PC · Xbox

✓ Same family of crafting sandboxes: sandbox freedom, deep simulation and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with survival mechanics, combat tactical and melee combat, while skipping deep RPG systems

GenreSandboxSubgenreCrafting Sandbox

SoloMultiplayerCo-opNarrativeOpen WorldSandbox WorldExplorationCrafting

Steam👍 85%· 407KRAWG👍 67%· 1.6KMC75IGDB74· 38OC71· 149

Year 2016Dev Hello GamesPlaytime ~15hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of crafting sandboxes: sandbox freedom, adventure storytelling and deep simulation

≠ Its own twist: survival mechanics, shooter and first-person shooting, while skipping deep RPG systems

GenreSandboxSubgenreCrafting Sandbox

SoloMultiplayerCo-opSandbox WorldOpen WorldFantasyExplorationCraftingPixel Art

OC90· 44

Year 2016Dev Mojang StudiosOn Xbox · PS4 · Linux

✓ Fits the crafting sandboxes cluster, with sandbox freedom, deep simulation and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings survival mechanics, turn-based strategy and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping deep RPG systems

Details →

Xbox PS Nintendo

#8Kitchen Simulator 2015

iRank40

GenreSandboxSubgenreCrafting Sandbox

SoloCasualNarrativeCozySandbox WorldExplorationCrafting

Steam👍 40%· 329

Year 2015Dev WhackAKey GamesPlaytime ~4hOn PC

✓ Both are crafting sandboxes — sharing sandbox freedom, deep simulation and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings horror tension, dark, oppressive atmosphere and melee combat, while skipping deep RPG systems

GenreSandboxSubgenreCrafting Sandbox

SoloCo-opCasualRelaxingSandbox WorldCrafting

Steam👍 85%· 19KOC70· 7

Year 2019Dev Big Cheese Studio · Forever Entertainment S.A.On PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Fits the crafting sandboxes cluster, with sandbox freedom, deep simulation and vibe casual

≠ Stands apart with resource management and visual first person, while skipping deep RPG systems

Details →

Steam GOG Xbox

#10Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp

iRank78

GenreSandboxSubgenreCrafting Sandbox

SoloSandbox WorldCraftingIsometricThird Person

IGDB78· 2

Year 2017Dev Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development · NintendoOn Android · iOS

✓ Same family of crafting sandboxes: sandbox freedom, deep simulation and sandbox world

≠ Where it differs: brings visual third person and free to play, while skipping deep RPG systems

Details →

Nintendo

#11Poly Bridge

iRank81

GenreSandboxSubgenreCrafting Sandbox

SoloCozyNarrativeSandbox WorldCrafting2D

Steam👍 91%· 19KIGDB75· 2OC66· 12

Year 2016Dev Dry CactusOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ Same family of crafting sandboxes: sandbox freedom, deep simulation and cozy, relaxing feel

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, punishing difficulty and setting cartoon, while skipping deep RPG systems

Details →

Steam Nintendo

#12Animal Crossing: New Leaf

iRank88

GenreSandboxSubgenreCreative Sandbox

SoloMultiplayerCo-opSandbox WorldFantasyIsometric

IGDB88· 10

Year 2012Dev Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No.2 · Nintendo

✓ Shared with Stardew Valley: sandbox freedom, deep simulation and sandbox world

≠ Where it differs: brings visual third person, while skipping deep RPG systems

Details →

Nintendo

#13PowerWash Simulator

iRank85

GenreSandboxSubgenreLife Sandbox

SoloMultiplayerCo-opCasualRelaxingNarrativeCozySandbox WorldOpen World

Steam👍 96%· 58KRAWG👍 80%· 156IGDB77· 4OC77· 54

Year 2022Dev FuturLabPlaytime ~11hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Shared with Stardew Valley: sandbox freedom, deep simulation and vibe casual

≠ Where it differs: brings online features, visual first person and visual 3d, while skipping deep RPG systems

Details →

Steam itch.io

Explore games similar to Stardew Valley by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best Crafting Sandbox Games Best Sandbox Games