Animal Crossingis an extremely popular Nintendo game, making a splash even among non-gamers. There’s something about its cute and cozy design and playstyle that drives players to return to their island every day. The game places players on their very own island, where they can collect bugs and fish, greet villagers, decorate their homes, and even terraforming the island.
There’s no other game quite likeAnimal Crossing,though many have tried to enter that samecozy gaming niche. Plenty of games have taken inspiration from theACfranchise, some with better results than others. Although there has yet to be a single game that quite nails thatAnimal Crossingfeel, there are several excellent titles that manage to come pretty close.
All the games below have anOverwhelmingly Positive rating on Steamat the time of this writing and are listed in increasing order of their Metacritic score (where available). This means that some of the games most commonly compared toAnimal Crossing,likeDisney Dreamlight ValleyandCozy Grovesimply didn’t make the cut.
10Webfishing Lets You Chat While Fishing
Developed by lamedeveloper
Webfishingwas only out for about a week beforecatching the eye ofAnimal Crossingfans. It doesn’t have a Metacritic score yet, but at the time of this writing, it has an Overwhelmingly Positive review on Steam from over 7,500 reviews. The game’s premise is deceptively simple:Players can chat while fishing.The beauty of this game is in the interactions players can have while waiting for a nibble from nearly 100 different kinds of fish.
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The title is clearlyinspired byAnimal Crossingwith its charming cat and dog characters and colorful world design,but it brings a new twist through the integration of chat. The review left by Steam userPixelis a great example of the kinds of positive and wholesome interactions that occur on this game: “As I entered my first public lobby, I was warmly greeted with an invitation to a wedding ceremony. The proceedings were held on a private island, with drinks, snacks, and most importantly bait provided!”
9Critter Cove Has Plenty In Common With Animal Crossing
Developed by Gentleman Rat Studios
Critter Coveis still in Early Access so it doesn’t yet have a Metacritic score, but it’s already attracting manyAnimal Crossingfans. The title features animal-like characters living and exploring in an open world.
LikeAC,Critter Cove has fishing, crafting, and interacting with the locals, but it also includes farming and underwater exploration across some beautiful and thriving reefs and marine locations. Players work to restore a series of islands to its former glory in a post-apocalyptic, but still somehow relaxed and cozy game.
8Tiny Glade Has Fun Town-Designing Gameplay
Developed by Pounce Light
Tiny Gladeis what’s left when a town-designing game likeAnimal Crossingis stripped down to its bare essentials. The game has aMetacriticscore of 74 and has already become a fan favorite of the indie cozy gaming scene.Its focus is entirely on designing, removing all other gameplay mechanics.There’s no combat or quests, no time or resource management, allowing players to really take their time to create whatever their imagination conjures up.
The game calls itself a “small diorama builder,” and the possibilities for design are really endless here. It’s the perfect little game for someone who wants to enjoy the decorating and terraforming elements ofAnimal Crossingwithout any of the other distractions. And since terraforming is notoriously finnicky inAC,Tiny Gladeoffers a step up with smooth and intuitive controls for any players who just want to create their own little home, whether it’s an elaborate castle or a little cabin in the woods.
7Loddlenaut Lets Players Clean A Planet & Ocean
Developed by Moon Lagoon
The once-vibrant and bustling oceans of a distant planet are in desperate need of cleanup, and it’s up to the player to restore them inLoddlenaut.The protagonist ofLoddlenautis a diver and astronaut who’s beensent to the planet to help clean up its waters.The title features a relaxing underwater atmosphere with vibrant colors and laid-back gameplay, and it does this well enough to earn aMetacriticscore of 77.
Players control an “interstellar custodian” whose job it is to clean up the oceans. To do so, they’ll need tofind and collect trash, explore, and take care of adorable aliens based on axolotls.LikeAnimal Crossing,this game has a relaxing atmosphere and a cute style that’s sure to win fans over.
6Minami Lane Has Great Island Designing
Developed by Doot, Blibloop
Players who want more of the island-designing and decorating elements ofAnimal Crossingmay find it inMinami Lane,which has aMetacriticscore of 78.The goal of the game is to “unlock and customize buildings, manage your shops, and maximize the happiness of your villagers"and it has a similar charming feel to it asAC.
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Minami Lanehas a much smaller scope thanAnimal Crossing,with just one street, but it’s enough to keep it engaging. The game has players building and designing their own little street, bustling with life and love. The game does have management simulator elements but it approaches them from a low-stress, casual perspective that’s perfect forAnimal Crossingfans.
5Alba: A Wildlife Adventure Lets You Save A Wildlife Refuge
Developed by Ustwo games
The premise behindAlba: A Wildlife Adventureis that “Even the smallest person can make a big difference.” The game, which has aMetacriticscore of 79, follows the titular Alba on her mission to save the wildlife refuge of her fictional Spanish island town of Secarral. With the help of her friend Inés and the newly founded Alba and Inés Wildlife Rescue League (aka AIWRL; current members: 2) and set out to restore the island’s natural beauty and wildlife.
The game also tasks players withupgrading different areas of the island, helping out the residents with side quests, and cleaning up trash.For anyone who loves the bug and fish-catching part ofAnimal Crossing,one of the goals on Alba is to document all the living critters on the island, but with a camera, not a net.
4Wylde Flowers Lets You Help Out On The Farm
Developed by Studio Drydock Pty Ltd
The story ofWylde Flowersseems generic at first, following the young Tara as she arrives on the little island of Fairhaven to help out on her grandmother’s farm. The cozy farming and rural life sim has a fun twist, asTara is not just an ordinary young woman, but also a witch.Wylde Flowershas a score of 82 onMetacriticand is praised for having an engaging story and well-developed characters.
There’s plenty to do around the farm, like tending to the animals and planting and harvesting crops, as well as spells to cast and potions to brew. Like a cottegecore version ofAnimal Crossing,Tara’s story has her meeting and getting to know the locals, crafting, fishing, collecting, doing side quests, and more. The witchy game also hasplenty of emotional moments and an underlying local mystery to uncover.
3Cult of the Lamb Is A Darker Life Sim
Developed by Massive Monster
On the surface,Cult of the Lambseems like an adorable and innocent game with an excellentMetacriticscore of 82. A closer look at the title and its gameplay reveals an adorably dark title that requires players to “perform dark rituals to appease the gods,” and “destroy the non-believers.”
While it lacks the innocent charm ofAnimal Crossing,it does offer some similar features like developing a town and recruiting villagers, except instead of a charming island, players are growing a cult. The game has been alternatively calledAnimal Crossingwith violence and “The Binding of Animal Crossing,“and not allACfans will enjoy it. To figure out ifCult of the Lambis a good choice for a player,Polygonsuggests asking the following questions: “Have you ever wished Animal Crossing was less sweet? A little darker? Have you had even a lingering thought of sacrificing a villager?”
2Hello Kitty Island Adventure Is A Lot Like ACNH
Developed by Sunblink
Hello Kitty Island Adventureis the only game on this list that isn’t available on Steam or the Switch, since it’s an Apple Arcade exclusive. It’s unfortunate that this exclusivity makes it unavailable for many, because the game may be one of the closest experiences toAnimal Crossingout of all the titles on this list. With an impressively highMetacriticscore of 83,the cute game is worth checking out for anyone with an Apple Arcade subscription.
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Island Adventureis a cozy island gamejust likeAnimal Crossingfeaturing Hello Kitty and other recognizable Sanrio characters. The game lets players customize the island, decorate inside homes to attract new visitors, craft, solve puzzles, andembark on quests to get to know the neighbors better.It’s a very relaxed and cozy game that nails the feel of theAnimal Crossingfranchise.
1A Short Hike May Be The Best Game Like Animal Crossing
Developed by adamgryu
A Short Hikefollows the story of Claire, a young bird with an ambitious mission to climb to the top of Hawk Peak mountain. The short and sweet game has aMetacriticscore of 88, the highest out of all the games in this list, and the high praise is well deserved.Everything about the game is well crafted,from its cozy atmosphere and adorable style to the silly side stories and more serious overarching theme of independence, family, and growing up.
Although there’s no decoration or daily tasks to complete in this game, it still has elements that make it similar toAnimal Crossing.Claire encounters many characters along her journey, and they’re just as charming as anyAnimal Crossingvillager. These new friends send Claire on side missions like collecting seashells, fishing, finding lost items, and more as she hikes, climbs, and glides around the mountain. With a cozy feel, cute villagers, and plenty of things to collect,A Short Hikeis a great followup toAnimal Crossing.
