Stardew Valley has already gone down as one of the best indie games in history, having spawned countless clones and homages in the years following its 2016 launch. Even better is its quasi-live-service model, which has involved creator Eric Barone releasing a number of updates, many of which introduce substantial new features like multiplayer to the Stardew Valley base game. Shockingly, these have all been free, which has helped the game retain its popularity over such a long period.
Even though Stardew Valley is getting another update soon, it seems like Barone is slowing down, pivoting his focus instead to Haunted Chocolatier. Haunted Chocolatier, however, is still rather mysterious, much to the chagrin of many Stardew fans. Thankfully, the Stardew-like genre is only continuing to expand, and 2026 will play host to plenty of strong, unique life sims that might scratch that particular cozy itch. Whether you're looking for a magic-infused life sim, romance-fueled adventure, or straightforward spiritual successor to Eric Barone's seminal cozy game, 2026 has you covered.
Witchbrook
- Witchbrook release date: TBD 2026 (delayed from a late 2025 launch)
- 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 alluring cozy games I've seen in quite some time. Set in a slow coastal town, this game follows a player-created character as they begin their studies at Witchbrook Academy, a Hogwarts-like institution for up-and-coming witches and wizards. Like Stardew Valley, Witchbrook will feature in-game seasonal events, social-simulation elements, and a wealth of customization options.
Witchbrook is being developed and published by Chucklefish, the company that originally published Stardew Valley.
Players can attend classes, rise through the ranks against their fellow students, romance NPCs, sell artisan goods at shops, and much more. Notably, Witchbrook will feature cooperative multiplayer for up to four players, drawing further parallels to Stardew, which got four-player co-op a few years post-launch. Since Witchbrook is being developed with multiplayer in mind from the outset, perhaps its co-op systems will be even more dynamic, fleshed-out, and feature-complete than Stardew's, which would be a treat indeed. Who knows, maybe Witchbrook will even be a good stopgap ahead of Hogwarts Legacy 2.
- Released
- 2025
- ESRB
- Teen // Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Chucklefish, Robotality
- Publisher(s)
- Chucklefish
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
WHERE TO PLAY
Discover magic and mystery in Witchbrook, a spellbinding witch life-sim for up to 4-players! Start your life as the newest resident witch in the bustling seaside city of Mossport. Make friends, find love, and discover a world filled with wonder and charm on the road to graduation and beyond...
The city of Mossport is a living, breathing world; teeming with life, even when you’re not looking! From cityfolk with intricate and unique daily routines, to community events that mark the changing of the seasons.
Just like you, your coven, teachers, and the cityfolk all lead busy lives! Every character has their own unique schedule, whether they’re working in one of Mossport’s many businesses, having a drink at the pub, cramming for their next exam in the college library or joining in with the festivities at the seasonal events.
As you progress through the academic year, so too does life around Mossport. Watch the cityfolk shed their mittens as the Winter snowfall melts away, allowing for the gradual bloom of colourful Spring flowers and donning of sun hats.
As the seasons change, so do the rhythms of the city and its vibrant community...
- Number of Players
- 1-4 (online)
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- 2025
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
- 2025
- Genre(s)
- Life Simulation, Farming, Casual
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
My Time at Evershine
- My Time at Evershine release date: Spring 2026
- My Time at Evershine confirmed platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, and PC
My Time at Evershine looks far more ambitious than its predecessors in the My Time series. Adopting a more high-fidelity, anime-influenced aesthetic, Evershine puts players in the shoes of a newly appointed mayor of a town at the far reaches of the Free Cities, which are being threatened by the ever-expanding Duvros Empire. This growing city is meant to help buttress the Free Cities' defensive position as a whole, and the player-character is tasked with assisting toward this end.
It's an unusually complex and mature story by cozy game standards, but My Time at Evershine is still a good old-fashioned life sim at its core. Players can recruit settlers to their city, commission numerous town improvements and customizations, and improve across a number of progression vectors. Much like Stardew, My Time at Evershine will feature action-RPG elements, with combat encounters being common. If Evershine is anything like the other My Time games, audiences can likely expect its combat sandbox to wipe the floor with Stardew's.
It would appear that My Time at Evershine will be even more focused on romance than many other cozy life sims; perhaps the higher-stakes story will lead to more complex romantic relationships.
- Developer(s)
- Pathea Games
- Publisher(s)
- Pathea Games
WHERE TO PLAY
A high-quality sandbox simulation RPG. Embark on a grand cozy adventure with many memorable characters in the 3rd My Time game!
Fields of Mistria
- Fields of Mistria release date: TBD 2026
- Fields of Mistria confirmed platforms: PC
Fields of Mistria has been in early access for a while now, attracting rave reviews on Steam, where it currently sits at an astounding 98% Overwhelmingly Positive rating. It's immediately recognizable as Stardew-inspired, with nostalgic pixel art, small-town community, and homesteading mechanics all at the forefront. However, Fields of Mistria is considerably more explicit with its mysticism, with a very clear, overarching theme of magic and whimsy. For those who enjoy the fantasy aspects of Stardew Valley, Fields of Mistria may be a particularly suitable fix.
Mistria's stunning art style, which looks like a mix between Stardew Valley and 90s anime, is probably what will attract many players from the jump, but the game's more than just a pretty face. Indeed, there's a bevy of content pertaining to progression, collectibles, side quests, exploration, and romance, even in this early access stage. Fields of Mistria is off to a great start, and could be a more than worthy Stardew alternative when it launches into alpha next year.
OpenCritic Reviews
- Released
- August 5, 2024
- Developer(s)
- NPC Studio
- Publisher(s)
- NPC Studio
- Engine
- GameMaker
WHERE TO PLAY
Get ready to begin a brand-new life in a world that's brimming with possibilities!
Mistria, an idyllic village tucked between forest and sea, has offered you an overgrown but full-of-potential homestead in exchange for your assistance. Restore the town to its former glory after an earthquake wreaks havoc and strange magic begins to flow through the land.
In this spiritual successor to the Farm-Sim RPGs of the late 90s & onward, build the farm of your dreams as you discover magic, romance, and adventure!
Game Features:
Customize your character, home and farm to suit your style!
Farm, Fish, Mine & Craft your way to a revitalized town
Find your ideal match with one of 12 marriage candidates
Note: Heart progression past 6 hearts and Marriage itself will be added via future updates.
Raise adorable animals & breed rare color variants
Unlock magic that will aid you during farming & adventuring
Enjoy the changing seasons with new quests, festivals, and even villager outfits!
Get to know 30+ villagers and follow their stories
Battle foes and discover treasures as you explore ancient ruins
And so much more!