10 De-stressing Games Like Animal Crossing Ranked (2024) | Animal Crossing Alternatives

The relaxing and charming gameplay of Animal Crossing makes each one of us curious to know about similar games. To make your search a little easier, I am here with the top 10 games like Animal Crossing that will relax and soothe your mind to a great extent. Join me in this article to find out the best Animal Crossing alternatives!

The relaxing gameplay, charming characters, and peaceful atmosphere of Animal Crossing have made it everyone’s favorite. However, after playing it for a while, you might want to explore other similar games like Animal Crossing to keep the experience fresh.

In this article, I have compiled a list of the top 10 games like Animal Crossing that will give you a similar gaming experience. These games are perfect for those who want to escape reality and relax in a virtual world filled with friendly characters, charming scenery, and fun activities. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the list of games like Animal Crossing!

10 Games Like Animal Crossing To De-stress Your Life | iOS, Android, PC

Along with its mind-soothing gaming ambiance, Animal Crossing also provides a lot of customization options which has made the game so popular among gamers. You can decorate and modify your island to your heart’s content. The Anthropomorphic villagers having fun dialogues are another attraction point in the game.

Since 2001, Animal Crossing has been the most famous social simulation game of 2024. So, it was quite a challenge to shortlist such 10 games like Animal Crossing to provide you with the same level of charming and peaceful gaming experience. However, without wasting more time, scroll down and explore the top 10 Animal Crossing alternative games!

1. Stardew Valley

• Release Date: February 26, 2016
• Developer: ConcernedApe

Are you ready to have a stunning fusion of farm simulation and role-playing game elements? Great! Stardew Valley combines a relaxing agricultural simulation experience with RPG elements which makes it worth being on the list of games like Animal Crossing. Do you want to know if it’s a good Animal Crossing alternative or not? Check out the features given below!

Features of Stardew Valley

1. Stardew valley has the ability to get you out of your daily life stress
2. Mind-soothing game
3. Very simple but creative gameplay
4. Resource management is the main task
5. Storyline is quite gentle
6. Beautiful retro animations
7. You get to create your own community here
8. It gives a chance to live in a stressfree world
9. Get to know the townfolk
10. Build your farms
11. Marry a partner and have children
12. Grow and collect fish, crops to cook
13. Raise animals
14. Multiplayer game mode available

Game Information

• Genre – RPG Simulation game
• Crossplay – Stardew Valley partially supports crossplay. The PC and Mac users can use the crossplay feature in the game.
• Platform – Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation Vita, iOS, Android
• Price – ‎Stardew Valley costs $14.99 on Steam, $4.99 on Google Play Store, INR 449 on Apple Store, and INR 4,660 on Amazon.

If you are searching for games like Animal Crossing, it will be a loss to skip Stardew Valley! Without wasting time, head on to try it now!

2. Harvest Moon

• Release Date: August 9, 1996
• Developer: Amccus

Another interesting farming simulation game in the list of games like Animal Crossing is Harvest Moon, also known as Bokujo Monogatari in Japan. Offering a pretty similar experience to Animal Crossing, Harvest Moon has established itself as a worthy Animal Crossing alternative. The nostalgic and charming ambiance of the game will keep you entertained for hours! Let’s see what other features it has to offer –

Features of Harvest Moon

1. Restore a farm
2. Improve the structure of the farm
3. Accomplish multiple daily tasks
4. Plant crops
5. Keep your farm clean
6. Sell the harvested elements
7. Take care of the livestock
8. Attain various festival
9. Grow your relationship with other villagers
10. Single player game

Game Information

• Genre – Social simulation, role-playing game
• Crossplay – Harvest Moon maybe supports crossplay partially
• Platform – Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)
• Price – Harvest Moon costs $389.99 to $419.99 on Ebay.

3. My Time at Portia

• Release Date: January 23, 2018
• Developer: Pathea

My Time at Portia will transport you to a post-apocalyptic world along with a relaxing and soothing gaming experience. This Animal Crossing alternative allows you to explore the world on your terms. You get to create workshops, socialize with the townspeople, and gather resources to survive. The unique graphics will keep you mesmerized for hours once you enter the game. Do you want to know whether it’s worth being on the list of games like Animal Crossing? Check out the features given below!

Features of My Time at Portia

1. Fulfill commissions
2. Grow crops
3. Raise animals
4. Become friends with the inhabitants of the town
5. Rebuild your Pa’s almost ruined workshop
6. Use your Pa’s workbench and handbook to craft and mine
7. Make Pa’s workshop the best one in the land
8. Help others to restore their town
9. Reveal many secrets
10. You can go for dates as well in this interesting Animal Crossing alternative
11. In-game events and festival
12. Explore the dungeons of Portia and new lands
13. 6 GB game

Game Information

• Genre – Life simulation game
• Crossplay – My Time at Portia doesn’t support crossplay
• Platform – Nintendo Switch, Android, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Microsoft Windows, macOS
• Price – The Digital version of My Time at Portia costs $7.49 and the Delux version costs $31.99 on Nintendo Switch. The game costs ‎$29.99 on Steam. You can it for free in the Epic game store.

One of my favorite picks in this list of games like Animal Crossing is My Time at Portia. Give it a try now!

4. Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town

• Release Date: October 17, 2019
• Developer: Marvelous, Bullets Co., Ltd.

Another interesting choice for games like Animal Crossing is Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town. A remake of the iconic Game Boy Advance game, Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town, offers a great Animal Crossing alternative. In this game, you have to establish a prosperous farm and get along with the locals. Want to know what other features it has to offer? Have a look below! 

Features of Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town

1. Begin your life in a Mineral Town
2. Peaceful and charming ambiance
3. Rebuild your grandfather’s farm
4. Maintain and harvest crops
5. Raise livestock
6. Clean your farm
7. Use the Shipping crate to sell extra goods daily
8. Buy your first chicken with 1500 gold
9. Use the hot springs located on the mountain
10. Feed the animals
11. Watch the weather channel in your TV to plan out your day
12. Keep upgrading in-game items

Game Information

• Genre – Life simulation, role-playing game
• Crossplay – Story of Seasons doesn’t support crossplay
• Platform – Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
• Price – The Story of Seasons’ Physical version costs $29.99 and the Digital version costs $39.99.

5. Spiritfarer

• Release Date: August 18, 2020
• Developer: Thunder Lotus Games

Spiritfarer is not only an Animal Crossing alternative but also an interesting collaboration of Sandbox techniques with the Life Simulation mechanism.

In this game, a young girl named Stella becomes the captain of a ship that transports the departed to the afterlife. You’ll lose yourself in the game’s lovely and quirky visuals for hours on end. Explore the other features of Spiritfarer given below –

Features of Spiritfarer

1. A game about death
2. Have a space of 7GB to play Spiritfarer
3. Heartfelt gaming experience
4. Take on the role of ferry master of deceased
5. Craft a boat
6. Explore the in-game world
7. Take care of the spirits and be friends with them
8. Release the spirits for their after life journey
9. Get into mining, farming, fishing, cooking, harvesting and crafting
10. Explore the mystical sea
11. Relaxing and cozy gameplay
12. 2 player cooperative play
13. Emotional storyline
14. Create unforgettable memories
15. Bid goodbye to the spirits

Game Information

• Genre – Management and construction simulation game
• Crossplay – Spiritfarer supports crossplay locally.
• Platform –  Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Google Stadia
• Price – Spiritfarer costs $29.99 on Steam and Nintendo Switch

Spiritfarer is one of the best games like Animal Crossing! Give it a try now!

6. The Sims 4

• Release Date: September 2, 2014                                                                                   
• Developer: Maxis, The Sims Studio

Another super exciting choice in this list of games like Animal Crossing is The Sims 4. In this game, you will have more control and flexibility in the resident’s life. Developed by Maxis and The Sims Studio, Sims 4 allows you to customize the housings and expand them as much as you want. Let’s see what other features this amazing Animal Crossing alternative has to offer –

Features of The Sims 4

1. Build your own house
2. Have control over the characters known as Sims
3. Custimize the house including furnishing and expanding them
4. Huge creative freedom
5. Free to play game
6. Build a family
7. Involve your daily works like sleeping, working, eating, etc.
8. Build and customize a Sim
9. Help the Sim to improve and grow
10. Explore all the available worlds of Sims 4
11. Use the build mode and be an architect
12. Choose yourself a perfect career

Game Information

• Genre –  Life simulation game
• Crossplay – The Sims 4 supports crossplay
• Platforms – PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Mac operating systems
• Price – Free to play

7. Littlewood

• Release Date: June 18, 2019                                                                                  
• Developer: Sean Young

In Littlewood, a calming life simulation game, you must restore a community wrecked by a dark wizard. This apt Animal Crossing alternative allows you to build relationships with the locals through home construction, crafting, and resource gathering. The game’s endearing and sentimental ambiance will bring your childhood back to you. Littlewood is one of the most perfect fits in this list of games like Animal Crossing. Want to know how? Check out the features given below –

Features of Littlewood 

1. The main goal is to rebuild a town
2. Tricky process of catching fishes
3. Break and move mountains
4. Re-arrange buildings
5. Use build mode to walk faster
6. Unlock the museum
7. Save the supplies
8. Keep upgrading every in-game element
9. Access the Endless Forest to farm wood
10. Harvest Ore in the Dust Cavern
11. Always take a townsperson with you while working
12. Ask someone to hang out with you
13. Build desks for every townsperson

Game Information

• Genre –  Role-playing, Life simulation game
• Crossplay – Littlewood probably does not support crossplay.
• Platforms – Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac operating systems
• Price – Littlewood costs ‎$14.99 on Steam

Littlewood is your thing if you are searching for the right Animal Crossing alternative. Go for it!

8. Castaway Paradise

• Release Date: October 9, 2014                                                                                   
• Developer: Stolen Couch Games, Rokaplay GmbH

One of the most soothing games like Animal Crossing is Castaway Paradise. This Animal Crossing alternative is set on a beautiful tropical island. In this adventurous life simulation game you get to create your paradise. The game involves you in multiple works like every farm simulation game. Let’s explore the features given below to know the game in detail.

Features of Castaway Paradise

1. Relaxing simulation game
2. Live in a tropical environment
3. Create a paradise
4. Grow crops
5. Raise animals
6. Socialise with townfolks
7. Go fishing
8. Vibrant and colorful graphics
9. Finish the given quests
10. Collect puzzles
11. Use duster to get rid of he Cobweb

Game Information

• Genre –  Adventure, Life simulation game
• Crossplay – Castaway Paradise doesn’t support crossplay.
• Platforms – Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Android, Web browser, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, iOS, Linux, Mac operating systems
• Price – Castaway Paradise costs $3.74 on PS4, $24.11 on Amazon, and $19.99 on Nintendo Switch.

9. Slime Rancher

• Release Date: January 2016                                                                                  
• Developer: Monomi Park

Enter into a beautiful, cute world of Slime in this Animal Crossing alternative called Slime Rancher. Once you enter the game, you have to keep collecting different types of slimes and feed them their appropriate diet to produce Plorts. You must earn NewBucks by selling these Plorts to finish other in-game tasks. Head on to know what other features it has –

Features of Slime Rancher

1. Take the role of Beatrix LeBeau
2. Feed the slimes to produce plorts
3. Earn Newbucks by selling the Plorts
4. Explore the planet
5. Find out more and more slimes
6. Fill your Slimepedia by revealing new places and creatures
7. Unlock new areas
8. The game will take 25 to 35 hours to be completed
9. Three games modes are Casual, Adventure and Rush
10. Pink Slime is the most commonly founded slime
11. Eye-catching graphics 

Game Information

• Genre – Life simulation adventure video game 
• Crossplay – Slime Rancher doesn’t support crossplay
• Platforms – Windows, macOS, Linux, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
• Price – Slime Rancher costs ‎$4.99 on Steam

Slime Rancher is one of the most popular relaxing simulation games to be on the games like Animal Crossing list. Try and see for yourself!

10. Garden Paws

• Release Date: October 20, 2018                                                                                    
• Developer: Bitten Toast Games

Looking for charming and relaxing games like Animal Crossing? Garden Paws is waiting for you! This indie game developed by Bitten Toast Games allows you to run your farm and explore a magical world filled with cute animals and interesting characters. Want to know why it’s worthy to be a perfect Animal Crossing alternative? Have a look below –

Features of Garden Paws

1. Play as a cute animal character
2. Inherit the old farm from your grandparents
3. Take care of the farm
4. Plant and harvest crops
5. Raise animals
6. Make new buildings
7. Craft multiple items
8. Explore the world outside the farm
9. Gather resources
10. Communicate with local wildlife
11. Real-time day and night cycle
12. New daily challenges 
13. Sell and buy new items
14. Various customization options
15. Decorate your house
16. Customize your animal companions
17. Excellent graphics

Game Information

• Genre – Role-playing Life Simulation game
• Crossplay – Garden Paws does not support crossplay
• Platforms – Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Mac operating systems
• Price – Garden Paws costs $36.83 on Steam

Top 10 Games Like Animal Crossing For Android

I have shortlisted some games like Animal Crossing which are available on Android devices. Want to know what they are? Have a look below!

Top 10 Animal Crossing alternatives for Android device –

1. Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp
2. Castaway Paradise
3. Don’t Starve: Shipwrecked
4. Emulators
5. Happy Street
6. Terraria
7. Harvest Moon: Seeds of Memories
8. Poom Games
9. Seabeard
10. Stardew Valley

Top 10 Games Like Animal Crossing For iOS

I have something for iOS users also! Have a look below and explore the games like Animal Crossing which are available on iOS devices.

Top 10 Animal Crossing alternatives for iOS devices –

1. Stardew Valley
2. Castaway Paradise
3. Seabeard
4. Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp
5. The Stillness of the Wind 
6. Stranded Sails: Explorers of the Cursed Islands
7. My Time at Portia
8. Happy Street
9. Harvest Moon: Light of Hope
10. Don’t Starve: Shipwrecked

Top 10 Games Like Animal Crossing For PC

In this extremely vast gaming world, there is something for everyone. If you think all games like Animal Crossing are available on every device except for PC, you are absolutely wrong! I have given a list of the top 10 games like Animal Crossing for PC. Have a look below!

Top 10 Animal Crossing alternatives for PC –

1. Forager
2. Hokko Life
3. World End Diner
4. Verdant Skies
5. My Time at Portia
6. Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles
7. Cozy Grove
8. Staxel
9. Garden Paws
10. Disney Dreamlight Valley

That’s all for today guys. Now, you have a list of all the games like Animal Crossing for every device. Go and Explore!

Wrapping Up

If you are a fan of Animal Crossing, these games are perfect for you. They offer a similar relaxing experience with charming characters and fun activities that will keep you entertained for hours. Whether you prefer farming simulations or exploration games, there is something on this list for everyone.

From Stardew Valley to Harvest Moon, each game has its own unique charm and atmosphere that will transport you to a peaceful virtual world. So, why not give these games a try and escape reality for a while?

Frequently Asked Questions