17 Games Similar To The Animal Crossing Series
Animal Crossing is a charming and relaxing game that allows players to escape from reality and enjoy a world of carefree living in the company of funny animals. It is suitable for a wide range of players, especially for those looking for a positive and relaxed game experience. There are not many similar games, with all of them you are about to get acquainted.
17. Graveyard Keeper
In this game you take on the role of a cemetery keeper in a medieval world, where your task is to take care of the cemetery and develop it. The story starts with the main character getting into an accident and being transported to another world. You will dig graves, bury bodies and maintain order in the cemetery. In addition, you will have to deal with the improvement of your cemetery to increase its prestige. The game offers a complex economic system. One will need to trade with other villagers, breed animals, farm and even learn alchemy to create goods for sale. Players will have to explore the world around them to find resources, and use various tools and materials to create new items. Sometimes players must choose between ethical behavior or more pragmatic (often immoral) methods of obtaining resources or completing tasks. The game has stylish pixel graphics with a pleasant color palette and detailed locations. The story direction of the game is drenched in black humor; some tasks or characters make you smile with their ridiculousness. Graveyard Keeper received mostly positive reviews from both critics and the gaming community for its original vision of the farming simulation/management-RPG genre. However, some users have pointed out that the gameplay can sometimes be monotonous due to the need to constantly perform repetitive tasks. In addition, the initial release of the game was spoiled by some bugs (which were eventually fixed). If you like unusual projects with a complex economic system like Animal Crossing, and feel an affinity for black humor - you will definitely enjoy this game!
16. Littlewood
An adventure role-playing game (RPG) created by independent developer Sean Young and released in February 2020. The game is inspired by hits such as Animal Crossing, asking players to build their own town after saving the world from a terrible evil. In Littlewood, players focus on rebuilding their town, improving relationships with its inhabitants, and exploring the surrounding area. Players can place buildings, decorate the landscape, and modify the environment to their liking. Building requires materials, which can be obtained through resource extraction - logging, mining, etc. Cultivating the land allows you to grow various crops to sell or use for cooking. Gradually, residents will arrive in your town, each with their own unique history and needs. In addition to strategically developing your small society, the player can travel the vast world. The gameplay is a quiet flow of life without a clearly defined end or direction. The main goal is to create a cozy space for the characters to live in. Littlewood offers a relaxed experience without the fear of failing or facing the need for quick decision making. Visually, Littlewood is designed in a pixel graphics style with a bright color scheme. This adds to the game's cozy atmosphere and makes it appealing to a wide audience. Warmly welcomed by the community for its charming style and play-as-you-go approach, Littlewood is a great choice for fans of relaxed RPGs with a strategic approach to personal development.
15. A Short Hike
In A Short Hike, players control a character named Claire, a young bird who goes on a short trip around Hawk Peak Island. The goal of the game is to get to the highest point on the island. Along the way, Claire meets various characters, each with their own unique stories and quests. The game doesn't set strict time limits or difficult challenges - the focus is on exploring the world and having fun in the process. The island is represented by an open world with a variety of landscapes: forests, mountains, beaches and secret paths. The exploration process is supported by Claire's ability to fly and climb slopes, which makes moving around the game space an interesting element of gameplay. Interaction with other characters adds to A Short Hike's charismatic nature. Friendly inhabitants of the island will often offer entertaining mini-games or tasks to solve, which brings additional variety to the process of passing. The graphic component is made in the style of "low-polygonal" pixel graphics with a bright color scheme, creating a warm mood of nostalgia for classic adventure games. The musical accompaniment emphasizes the peaceful atmosphere of A Short Hike: light instrumental music helps you to fully immerse yourself in this unhurried world. A Short Hike is a game for those who want to take a break from the fast pace of everyday life or the frenetic action of other video games. It can be considered as an alternative to Animal Crossing thanks to the combination of platformer and adventure quest elements.
14. Rune Factory 5
- Similarity: 40 %
- Metacritic: link
- Year of release: 2022
- Game play time: 60 hours
- Trailer: link
- Review: IGN
The game was developed by Hakama and published by Marvelous. It continues the tradition of previous installments by combining farm management, world exploration, monster battles and character interaction. The player takes the role of the protagonist or heroine, who (who) loses his memory and finds himself in a small town. The player's task is to settle his farm, participate in the life of the community and protect the locals from various dangers. The main aspects of the game are: growing crops and taking care of pets; exploring dungeons and fighting monsters with the help of various weapons and abilities; interacting with the characters of the game to develop relationships, which can lead to friendship or even marriage; creating new inventory, food and materials from found resources. Rune Factory 5 turned out to be quite ambitious compared to its predecessor thanks to improved 3D graphics, a larger open world to explore, and more complex farming and socialization systems. However, some criticized the game for technical shortcomings such as frame rate (fps) drops on Nintendo Switch. Overall, Rune Factory 5 was well received by fans of the series for retaining the classic Rune Factory features while adding new features to enhance the gameplay experience. Fans of Animal Crossing will enjoy.
13. Cult of the Lamb
- Similarity: 50 %
- Metacritic: link
- Year of release: 2022
- Game play time: 15 hours
- Trailer: link
- Review: IGN
The player will have to assume the role of a leader who must create and lead a cult to prove his power and subdue the believers. It is necessary to build a base for his cult, attract new followers, expand territories and fight with non-believers. The gameplay focuses not only on developing your base and performing rituals to keep the faith of your followers, but also on conducting expeditions outside the holy city to obtain resources and complete missions. Battles with opponents take place in roguelike style with elements of random world generation. The visual style of Cult of the Lamb is made in a combination of pixel graphics with mixed 2D-art elements. This gives it a special atmospheric feel. Grim humor is intertwined here with complex ethical dilemmas about sacrifice for higher purposes. The game is not as bright and colorful as Animal Crossing, but you may like it too.
12. Dinkum
As in Animal Crossing, you will have to start a new life on the island. Start with a house, then explore the island. Gather resources, hunt and fish, and build a town to attract settlers. Dinkum supports co-op, so you can team up with a friend to defend your towns from wild animals.
11. Dragon Quest Builders 2
- Similarity: 60 %
- Metacritic: link
- Year of release: 2019
- Game play time: 60 hours
- Trailer: link
- Review: IGN
It is an exciting blend of RPG and sandbox genres that provides players with the opportunity to build, explore and adventure in the Dragon Quest universe. The game is a sequel to the original Dragon Quest Builders and was developed by Square Enix. Players find themselves on an island where they will have to gather resources, build structures and structures, and fight monsters. One of the key innovations compared to the first installment is an improved building system that allows you to create more complex and large-scale structures. The game has bright anime-style graphics, characteristic of the Dragon Quest series. The storyline leads the player through various tasks and quests that reveal new aspects of the game's world and its inhabitants. Players are given the freedom to choose how to build their world: they can follow the main quest line or engage in independent projects to improve the island. In addition to the single-player mode, there is the possibility of cooperative gameplay - up to four players can join together for common construction or exploration of the islands. Key features: combination of RPG elements (character development, fighting monsters) and sandbox elements (building); improved management of building materials and tools; vast open world to explore; storyline with NPC companions; multiplayer for several players for cooperative building process. Dragon Quest Builders 2 has received positive reviews from both critics and the gaming community due to its appealing blend of genre elements, interesting gameplay, and enjoyable audio-visual component. Fans of Animal Crossing should enjoy it.
10. Hokko Life
A cozy life and creativity simulator developed by Wonderscope and published by Team17. In Hokko Life, players move to the cute little town of Hokko where they start a new life. The main feature of the game is the ability to create and customize. Players can design clothes, furniture, and entire buildings using a variety of editing tools. This adds creative content to the game and allows everyone to show their individuality. In everyday life, Hokko Life provides a wide range of activities, from fishing and gathering materials to interacting with the town's residents, who have their own personalities and preferences. The social aspect of the game is also developed: you can make friends with the characters, help them in their affairs and complete tasks. The gameplay is reminiscent of a popular game like Animal Crossing due to its relaxed pace, emphasis on customization and social relationships. Hokko Life's graphics are done in an eye-pleasing style with bright colors and detailed textures. The game's world looks charming and invites exploration. The main drawback is a possible feeling of monotony after long hours of play; tasks can start to get repetitive, which is a common problem with most simulators of this type. Overall, Hokko Life will offer an enjoyable experience for fans of relaxed games about creating coziness and comfort with a significant element of customization.
9. Ooblets
- Similarity: 60 %
- Metacritic: link
- Year of release: 2022
- Game play time: 30 hours
- Trailer: link
- Review: IGN
The plot is similar to that of Animal Crossing. In Ooblets you move to the small town of Oob, where you start a new life. Here you can grow plants on your farm, take care of cute creatures called Ooblets, and explore different areas of the map. Ooblets are small creatures of different shapes and sizes that you can collect by caring for them and engaging in dance battles against other ooblets. Create your own farm, take care of the plants and get new types of ooblets. Collect a variety of ooblets throughout the game world. Engage in friendly dance competitions with other ooblets to get new seeds and status upgrades. Explore the town of Oob and its surroundings. Meet interesting characters and complete quests. Customize your character and house to your liking. The graphics in Ooblets is made in a bright colorful style with slightly cartoonish shapes of characters that gives the game a special charm. The world of the game is full of positivity and friendliness; it does not require from the player quick decisions or stress from complex battles. Gameplay involves calm distributed activity: you need to take care of the farm, pet some of your ooblets or hang out at a dance party. There's also an element of collectability - each new ooblet type is added to your team or sent to the farm to be cared for. The progression system involves completing quests from the citizens of Ooblet to earn rewards or increase your social status. The project itself doesn't have a clear end in sight; its goal is probably to bring joy to the simple daily chores on the farm with your ooblets.
8. Stardew Valley
- Similarity: 60 %
- Metacritic: link
- Year of release: 2016
- Game play time: 40 hours
- Trailer: link
- Review: IGN
A popular indie game created by a developer under the pseudonym ConcernedApe and first released in 2016. The game is similar to Animal Crossing in that it is a farm simulator with RPG elements, where players have to manage their land, grow crops, raise livestock, mine resources, and interact with the residents of the local town. Gameplay covers a variety of activities. Farming: players start with a small plot of land and an old farm hut. The task is to cultivate the land, plant and grow crops, and care for the animals. Animal breeding: you can keep cows, chickens, sheep and other animals to produce milk, eggs and wool. Mining: The game has mines with many floors. There you can mine ore and valuable stones or fight monsters. Fishing: you can fish in various water bodies. Mystery Exploration: Stardew Valley is full of mysteries and secrets to uncover. Each character in the game has their own personality and preferences. With some of them you can make friendship or even create a family. The graphics are made in pixel style, which gives the game a special charm. The world of Stardew Valley changes with the seasons; each season has its own unique flora and fauna. Storywise, the game begins when your character inherits an old farm from his grandfather. You leave city life for the simple joys of rural life. One of the key aspects of Stardew Valley's success is the ability for content to be modified by the user community due to the openness of the game's code for modding. The game has received high praise from critics and users alike for its depth of options in terms of gameplay styles, from the quiet pursuit of creating the most productive farm possible to more active exploration of your environment or strategies for optimizing the commercial success of your farm.
7. Cozy Grove
Players find themselves on a colorful ghostly island that is gradually revealed and brought to life through the player's actions. Plot and characters: the centerpiece of the game is the interaction with the ghosts of the island's former inhabitants. There are unique stories and quests associated with each character. Gameplay: in Cozy Grove you engage in a variety of activities: fishing, collecting items, growing plants and more. Tasks are updated daily. Visual style: the game has unique drawn graphics in pastel colors, which creates an atmosphere of calm and relaxation. Progression: the process in Cozy Grove is unhurried; the game is designed to go in there every day for a small amount of time to complete new tasks. Cozy Grove will appeal to those who prefer calm games without stress and tension. It may attract fans of such a project as Animal Crossing due to similar mechanics of building your own corner of the world and interacting with its inhabitants. If you want to take a break from the everyday hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in a world of tranquility with your own set of everyday pleasures, Cozy Grove could be a great choice. At the same time, you should keep in mind its repetitiveness of tasks and leisurely pace of development - this is a conscious choice of the developers to create a certain type of game experience.
6. Disney Dreamlight Valley
- Similarity: 70 %
- Metacritic: link
- Year of release: 2022
- Game play time: 40 hours
- Trailer: link
- Review: IGN
An interactive adventure in the life simulator genre as Animal Crossing, developed by Gameloft Studios. In it, players are immersed in a magical world where they can meet famous Disney and Pixar characters such as Mickey Mouse, Elsa from Cold Heart, Remy from Ratatouille and others. The player's task is to rebuild Dreamlight Valley after it has been struck by the dark forces of oblivion. The player can interact with Disney and Pixar characters, complete quests and strengthen friendships. Users can build their house, grow plants, catch fish and customize the environment to their liking. The game features different locations to explore, each with their own unique quests and activities. "Disney Dreamlight Valley" stands out with a bright color scheme and high-quality three-dimensional graphics. The atmosphere of the game conveys the good-heartedness and enchanting aura of the Disney universe.
5. My Time at Portia
- Similarity: 70 %
- Metacritic: link
- Year of release: 2019
- Game play time: 40 hours
- Trailer: link
- Review: IGN
The game offers players to immerse themselves in a picturesque post-apocalyptic world where they inherit their father's workshop and strive to restore it to its former glory. The gameplay of "My Time at Portia" focuses on crafting items, building, farming and interacting with characters. The player can engage in a variety of activities: from mining resources to taking care of the farm, from creating complex machines to fulfilling orders for the town's inhabitants. There are also opportunities to explore the world around you, fight monsters in dungeons and participate in the social life of the community. One of the key aspects is the social interaction system. As you interact with other characters, you can form friendships, compete, or even build romantic relationships and start a family. It's just like Animal Crossing. Visually, "My Time at Portia" stands out with its colorful style and detailed character and environment models. The game features a cycle of seasons with all the characteristic changes in weather and nature. However, some players have pointed out that they sometimes encounter bugs or errors that can slightly mar the overall positive impression of the game. Overall, "My Time at Portia" is a warm and memorable game with a free pace of character development, which is able to give many hours of pleasant pastime to both fans of quiet resource management and those who prefer more active RPG elements.
4. Stranded Sails - Explorers of the Cursed Islands
In Stranded Sails, players take on the role of a crew member of a ship that has been wrecked by a mysterious storm. You find yourself on an archipelago of cursed islands and your task is to survive, build a new ship and find your way home. Players will explore the various islands in search of resources, new tools and clues on how to lift the curse from the archipelago. Survival requires farming: growing a variety of crops for food; you can also fish and cook. You need to keep an eye on the character's energy level, which is spent when performing various actions. Maintaining a good energy level is a key element for exploring the world. After collecting enough materials you can expand your camp, constructing new buildings for a comfortable life on the island. Interacting with other surviving members of the expedition opens up new quests and helps you progress through the story. The graphics in Stranded Sails is done in a bright cartoon style with the use of bright colors, which creates a light and pleasant atmosphere of the game. The game received positive reviews for its soothing gameplay, simple unobtrusive graphics and interesting combination of genres. However, some users noted the repetitiveness of tasks as a minus. Stranded Sails - Explorers of the Cursed Islands is of interest to those players who like calm games like Animal Crossing without an emphasis on action or complex mechanics - it's more of a relaxed experience of creating your own cozy corner under unusual circumstances after a shipwreck.
3. Castaway Paradise - live among the animals
A video game in which the player finds himself on a tropical island and starts a new life among various animals. The style and gameplay are reminiscent of Nintendo's popular Animal Crossing series, where the player is involved in creating and managing their own corner, interacting with anthropomorphic characters. In Castaway Paradise you can perform various tasks for animal neighbors, fish, catch insects, grow plants and trees. Building and decorating your own house and the island in general is also available. The game offers a relaxed pace with no strict goals or time limits - suitable for those who just want to take a break from the daily grind. The game mechanics combine elements of farming simulator and life simulator with strategic planning for the development of your small world. The graphics in Castaway Paradise are done in bright colors with simple but nice character and environment animations. Cute character designs add to the charm of the gameplay. The game is suitable for both younger and older players due to the versatility of the concept and calm atmosphere. It is a good choice for fans of leisurely games with the possibility of creativity and self-expression through modification of personal space.
2. Spiritfarer
- Similarity: 80 %
- Metacritic: link
- Year of release: 2020
- Game play time: 30 hours
- Trailer: link
- Review: IGN
Like Animal Crossing, the game is a unique combination of resource management and platformer with adventure game elements. In Spiritfarer, the player takes on the role of Stella, a ferris of the dead who travels through a mystical world, building a ship for spirits and caring for them until they are ready to move on to the afterlife. Players will have to improve their ship to make it more comfortable for the spirits that inhabit it. You can build various rooms and production facilities to create materials and products. Your task is to explore a beautiful open world with various interesting locations and characters. Each spirit has its own personal history and problems. The player must help them complete their last job before going to the afterlife. In the process you will be farming, fishing, cooking and other activities. The style of the game is hand-drawn 2D animation with bright colors and pleasing visuals. Spiritfarer deals with the difficult topics of caring for loved ones in the last stage of life and the process of accepting loss. The musical accompaniment emphasizes the atmospheric nature of the game thanks to calm compositions. Reviews of Spiritfarer are mostly positive; critics like the combination of gameplay elements with the deep emotional experience of the narrative of loss and farewell.
1. STORY OF SEASONS: A Wonderful Life
- Similarity: 90 %
- Metacritic: link
- Year of release: 2015
- Game play time: 40 hours
- Trailer: link
- Review: IGN
A farm simulation game that is a remake of the classic game "Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life", originally released on the Nintendo GameCube console. In this game, players are involved in managing their farm, growing different crops and raising livestock, as well as interacting with different characters and completing tasks. The game offers a unique farming experience where every decision can affect the future of the farm. It also includes elements of socialization and family life - a character can make a partner and children who will help on the farm. The developers have updated the graphics, added new content and features compared to the original version. However, the basic mechanics of the game remained unchanged: you still need to take care of your fields, take care of livestock and expand your farm. Critics and user reviews often emphasize the game's pleasant pace, relaxing atmosphere, and simple mechanics, making it accessible even to novice gamers. This game is a great choice for those who are looking for a similar Animal Crossing game and want a break from violent action games or high-stress strategies.
