Stardew Valley has already gone down as one of the best indie games in history, spawning countless clones and homages in the years since its 2016 launch. Even better is its quasi-live service model, on which creator Eric Barone has released a series of updates, many of which introduce substantial new features to the game, such as multiplayer. Stardew Valley basic game. Shockingly, they were all free, which helped the game maintain its popularity for so long.
Even if Stardew Valley getting another update soon, Barone seems to be slowing down and instead focusing on Haunted Chocolatier. Haunted Chocolatierhowever, it is still rather mysterious, much to the displeasure of many Stardew fans. Fortunately, Stardewthe similar genre continues to expand, and 2026 will host plenty of strong, unique life sims that could scratch that special cozy itch. Whether you're looking for a magical life sim, a romance-filled adventure, or a straightforward spiritual successor to Eric Barone's seminal cozy game, 2026 has you covered.
Witchbrook
- Witchbrook release date: TBD 2026 (delayed from late 2025)
- Witchbrook confirmed platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
Magical and charmingly absurd, Witchbrook is one of the most appealing cozy games I've seen in a long time. Set in a slow-paced coastal town, the game follows a player-created character as they begin their studies at Witchbrook Academy, a Hogwarts institution for aspiring witches and wizards. Like Stardew Valley, Witchbrook it will feature seasonal in-game events, social simulation elements, and tons of customization options.
Witchbrook is developed and published by Chucklefish, which originally published Stardew Valley.
Players can take classes, rank up against their classmates, romance NPCs, sell crafting goods in shops, and much more. Especially, Witchbrook will feature co-op multiplayer for up to four players, bringing further parallels Stardewwhich received four-player co-op a few years after launch. From Witchbrook is developed from the beginning with multiplayer in mind, maybe its co-op systems will be even more dynamic, sophisticated and rich than Stardew's, which would be a real treat. Who knows, maybe Witchbrook will even be a good commission before us Hogwarts Legacy 2.
- Released
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2025
- ESRB
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Teen // Suggestive themes
- Multiplayer
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Online Co-Op
My time in Evershine
- My time in Evershine release date: spring 2026
- My time in Evershine confirmed platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S and PC
My time in Evershine looks much more ambitious than its predecessors v My time series. Adopting a truer anime-influenced aesthetic, Evershine puts players in the shoes of the newly appointed mayor of a town in the remote reaches of the Free Cities, threatened by the ever-expanding empire of Duvros. This growing city is meant to help strengthen the defensive position of the Free Cities as a whole, and the player character is tasked with helping with this goal.
By the standards of cozy games, it is an unusually complex and mature story, but My time in Evershine is still a good old life sim at its core. Players can recruit settlers to their town, enter a variety of town upgrades and customizations, and improve in many progression vectors. Much like Stardew, My time in Evershine will feature action RPG elements, with combat encounters being common. If Evershine is something like the other My time game, viewers can probably expect her battle sandbox to wipe the floor Stardew'with.
It would seem that My time in Evershine it will be even more romance-oriented than many other cozy life sims; perhaps a higher-stakes story will lead to more complex romantic relationships.
- Developers
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Pathea Games
- Publishers
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Pathea Games
Fields in Mistria
- Fields in Mistria release date: TBD 2026
- Fields in Mistria confirmed platforms: PC
Fields in Mistria has been in Early Access for some time and has been attracting rave reviews on Steam, where it currently holds a staggering 98% overwhelmingly positive rating. It is instantly recognizable as Stardew– inspired, with nostalgic pixel art, small town community and homestead mechanics all at the fore. However, Fields in Mistria is considerably more explicit with its mysticism, with a very clear, overarching theme of magic and whimsy. For those who like the fantasy aspects Stardew Valley, Fields in Mistria a repair may be particularly appropriate.
Mistriastunning art style that looks like a mix between Stardew Valley and the 90s anime is probably what will attract many players from the jump, but the game is more than just a pretty face. There's actually a lot of content around progression, collectibles, side quests, exploration, and romance, even at this early access stage. Fields in Mistria he has a great start and could be more than worthy Stardew alternative when it launches into alpha next year.
- Released
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August 5, 2024
- Developers
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NPC Studio
- Publishers
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NPC Studio
- Engine
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GameMaker
