8 Casual games like Stardew Valley that you should try

Same family as Stardew Valley: a relaxing pace, a sandbox world and fantasy world. The common ground extends to single-player focus and crafting mechanics. Where the two diverge is setting and game mode: a medieval setting and resource management.

It comes from the same genre as Stardew Valley and shares a relaxing pace, a sandbox world and single-player focus. To that it adds crafting mechanics and 2D presentation. They part company on setting and visuals: this one brings a medieval setting and resource management.

Shelved next to Stardew Valley for good reason: a relaxing pace, open world exploration and single-player focus. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and pixel art. The distance is in setting and game mode — its own ground is a sci-fi setting and 3D presentation.

The thread back to Stardew Valley runs through sandbox freedom, a casual, approachable feel and open world exploration. Both also lean on co-op play. The distance is in visuals and genre — its own ground is a first-person view.

With Stardew Valley it shares a casual, approachable feel, a sandbox world and multiplayer gameplay. Both also lean on crafting mechanics and 2D presentation. The distance is in setting — its own ground is a sci-fi setting.

Shelved next to Stardew Valley for good reason: a casual, approachable feel, a sandbox world and single-player focus. Both also lean on exploration and discovery. The distance is in setting and visuals — its own ground is horror setting and 3D presentation.

Genre puts it alongside Stardew Valley, and so does a casual, approachable feel, open world exploration and single-player focus. To that it adds exploration and discovery. They part company on setting and visuals: this one brings dark, oppressive atmosphere and horror setting.

On paper it is what Stardew Valley is — a casual, approachable feel, a sandbox world and single-player focus — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. The common ground extends to crafting mechanics. Where the two diverge is visuals and progression: resource management and a first-person view.