Animal Crossing: New Horizons noticed one of many largest launches final 12 months, with folks posting screenshots of their creations all throughout social media, being nominated for over a dozen awards, and promoting over 38.5 million copies worldwide. The sport partly owes its success to the COVID-19 imposed lockdowns, the place gamers used it as a medium for social interactions and different group actions.
Since Animal Crossing is a franchise that’s unique solely to Nintendo consoles, gamers on different platforms might by no means get a style of it. So, we’ve got compiled an inventory of video games that emulate the same setup, gameplay mechanics, and the cheerful tone that Animal Crossing is understood for.
The SIMS 4
As the title suggests, The SIMS 4 is basically a life simulator the place gamers can create their very own digital variations and partake in real-life occasions, all the way in which from delivery to future generations. The sport options in-depth customisable choices from facial and physique construction, clothes for various events, hobbies, and even character traits. Using the Build Mode, gamers can map out and construct their dream houses, for which they’ll should work and earn cash in-game.
The SIMS 4. (Image credit score: EA)
The title additionally includes a neighborhood system, the place interactions with different bots throughout events, conferences, or festivals change your character over time. Successful interactions might result in romance choices as effectively, whereas the dangerous ones might add a rivalry and aggressive aspect to it. The SIMS 4 is offered on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows PC by way of Steam. PS – If you personal an EA Play subscription, you may play this sport without spending a dime.
Doraemon: Story of Seasons
Based on the favored anime, Story of Seasons follows the adventures of Doraemon and Nobita as they take part in farming actions throughout the joyous city of Natura. Players can tirelessly plough fields, develop crops, catch bugs, breed cattle and hens, and even trip horses upon forming the right bond. The entirety of the map options numerous interactive objects and characters that assign you particular duties, the place Doraemon’s futuristic devices might turn out to be useful.
Feeding cattle in Doraemon: Story of Seasons. (Screenshot)
It additionally includes a fishing mechanism, the place you may select to prepare dinner or promote them available in the market for cash. Parts of the story does endure from half-baked writing, however it’s an general beautiful time. Doraemon: Story of Seasons is offered on the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC by way of Steam.
Stardew Valley
Upon inheriting your grandfather’s outdated farm plot and hand-me-down instruments, gamers are left with a accountability – work on it and switch it into one thing affluent. In this 2D pixelated world, you assume the position of a farmer to develop crops, elevate animals, and begin numerous companies that rival the fictional Joja Corporation. The world is stuffed with over 30 uniquely interactive characters, a few of which even have romance choices.
Fishing in Stardew Valley. (Screenshot)
Much like actual nation life, you may select to marry that particular somebody out of affection and even as a solution to increase your property. The sport additionally options fishing and mining spots, the place you and three different on-line gamers can degree up your abilities over time. Stardew Valley is offered on Steam, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, and Apple iOS.
Cozy Grove
Set in a snow-covered hand-drawn panorama, Cozy Island’s mechanics are based mostly in real-time. Players take management of a Spirit Scout and run via the forests to seek for wandering ghosts and hidden secrets and techniques. Each spirit has a singular, intensive story, which upon unravelling brings again some color to the city. You can construct and embellish your camp, craft objects, prepare dinner, fish and even embark on quests with a number of the ghosts.
Cozy Grove. (Screenshot)
Like Animal Crossing, Cozy Grove is synced to real-time and permits for 30 to 60 minutes of latest story content material and occasions a day. After that, you may proceed to liven up the forest and fiddle to your coronary heart’s content material. Cozy Grove is offered on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, macOS, Apple Arcade, and Windows PC by way of Steam and Epic Games Store.
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles
Following a shipwreck, gamers are washed onto the shores of Gemea, a pure island paradise with eight distinct environments starting from tropical seashores to snowy mountains. You by no means encounter any precise enemies right here, however it includes a mysterious, darkish fog generally known as the Murk, which is polluting the atmosphere.
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles. (Screenshot)
As the hero of the land, gamers should tame wild animals, harvest a number of farms, remedy puzzles, and even be taught professions similar to carpentry and cooking to assist the residents of Gemea. The sport additionally includes a day and evening cycle and numerous in-game occasions based mostly on holidays. Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles is offered on the present and next-gen methods, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC by way of Steam.
Castaway Paradise
Just like Animal Crossing, Castaway Paradise’s premise duties you, an outsider, with the job of serving to the animals and revitalising the city. Players can construct and embellish buildings to their liking, develop crops, and clear rocks, seaweeds and rubbish to help cleanliness. Throughout the day, the townsfolk will assign you a brand new set of ever-changing quests, which upon completion provides you XP.
Farming in Castaway Paradise. (Screenshot)
During particular vacation occasions similar to Christmas, all the map can be lined with snow, and you may assist the villagers in adorning the island accordingly. Castaway Paradise is offered on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC (Steam), and Android and iOS units.
Moonlighter
11 bit studios’ Moonlighter strays a bit away from Animal Crossing when it comes to style, however has all of the necessities. As an adventurous shopkeeper, Will, gamers should change lives between tending the store at day to combating monstrous creatures at evening. Set within the Rynoka village, you may put objects up on the market at set costs, handle gold reserves, and even recruit assistants. Throughout the journey, you’ll meet numerous villagers, with whom you may companion for higher enterprise alternatives.
The store system in Moonlighter. (Screenshot)
Via crafting and enchantments, gamers can create new armour and weapons, and be taught new magical abilities for taking over bosses at evening. It additionally includes a strong loot and stock system that may be accessed throughout battles. Moonlighter is offered on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia, macOS, and Windows PC by way of Steam and Epic Games Store.