Animal Crossing: New Horizonscouldn’t have come at a much better time, with the game allowing players to interact during a pandemic that had forced people behind closed doors for the longest time. It’s the perfect blend of idyllic scenery, wish fulfillment, and creativity that gives gamers a welcome respite from the state of affairs in the real world. The cute critters that populate the player’s deserted island fill the friend-shaped void in their life then, letting them socialize safely.
A lot of people have jumped on theAnimal Crossinghype bandwagon, which can be a huge problem for players who don’t own a Switch. If players are unable to experience the joy that this Nintendo classic can bring or have already played this game to kingdom come, then other titles on the PS4 will let players live out the dreams of customizing their paradise.
Updated on Jul 25, 2025, by Ritwik Mitra:While Nintendo’s post-launch support for Animal Crossing: New Horizons has been slightly lacking, the game is still one of the best simulation games that players can get their hands on. The vibes of this game are unmatched, letting players relax as they turn their island from a barren, boring mess into a bustling tropical vacation retreat. It’s easy to see why this is the most successful Animal Crossing game to date, and fans of this charming title can check out a wealth of recommendations that tick the same boxes as New Horizons in some way or the other.
Players who want to check out a single-player oriented withAnimal Crossing’s vibes can’t go wrong withA Short Hike. The game also features anthropomorphic animals who help out the player, a bird in need of cellphone reception who needs to ascend a mountain to achieve the same.
This simple plot makes for a calm, low-stakes title where players can acquire feathers to improve how much they can climb and glide. The residents of this world are also pretty welcoming and add to this game’s charm.
Don’t Starveis a game that was one of the earliest survival games players could get their hands on. While there are several notable differences between this game andAnimal Crossing: New Horizons, some similarities also exist that veterans of both titles will attest to.
Sure,Don’t Starveis more tense and nightmarish, but there are times when players who attain a sense of safety in this game will love how oddly charming the gothic art style is. The gameplay loop of gathering materials to craft shelter, cook food, and forge weapons is something that players can settle into easily if they were avid builders inNew Horizons, although the threat of death that looms over their shoulders every second of the way multiplies the pressure quite a bit.
Disney Dreamlight Valleyis an excellent title that makes the most of its IP to make for a game with varied and engaging gameplay loops. The game works in real-time, much like theAnimal Crossinggames, and allows players to explore the valley and customize it to their heart’s content.
Some people were angered by the fact that this game walked back on its free-to-play promise, but the content here is pretty expansive and will keep players occupied for hours on end. Most people will get their money’s worth and more after experiencing everythingDisney Dreamlight Valleyhas to offer.
Terrariais one of the best indie video games that fans can check out, featuring a healthy mix of relaxed construction and base-building along with a heaping of combat for players who want the best of both worlds. Many people dismiss this title by calling it 2DMinecraft, which is a huge disservice toTerraria’s accomplishments.
The title allows players toengage in a bunch of gameplay loopswhile enjoying the boundless sense of exploration that this title conveys expertly. It’s a truly beautiful game that any fan of quality indie titles owes it to themselves to check, with the post-launch support of this title being legendary and letting people enjoy this title in modern times without too many issues.
Story of Seasonsis a series that rose from the ashes of theHarvest Moonseries, withthe games being excellent farming simulatorswith enough fresh gameplay loops to keep players engaged in the long run. Players who need an excuse to get into this series will love the fact that this franchise has collaborated withDoraemonin a spinoff title that is pretty fun in its own right.
WhileDoraemon: Story of Seasonsisn’t anything special, the gameplay loop will feel right at home forAnimal Crossingfans who want to check out something new. This game is receiving a sequel calledDoraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom, which makes for a great excuse for players to check this title out for themselves.
Thoselooking for some RPG elements sprinkled in with their town-building mechanicsshould check outDragon Quest Builders 2. This robust and entertaining title borrows elements and characters from theDragon Questfranchise and offers up a fairly engaging single-player experience that has players building structures and fighting back against a destructive cult.
What makes this release even better is that it offers a pretty in-depth multiplayer mode that allows players to enjoy an online experience with up to three other friends (four players at one time).Dragon Quest Builders 2may not be as “slice of life” asAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsis, but it still offers a lot of enjoyment and a good town-building experience.
Those who enjoy playingAnimal Crossing: New Horizons, because they like building and designing an island, may want to consider hopping onto theMinecrafttrain and building their community from the ground up. The best part aboutMinecraftis its blockular building system which has players constructing massive towns, buildings, and even islands with Lego-like cubes. The best part ofMinecraftis that it also includes combat elements, farming, and even basic contraptions thanks to its Redstone.
Players can even join servers and create their multiplayer worlds to invite friends and family to play along. There’s a reason thatMinecraftstands as one of the best-selling Indie titles of all time, and its success is the reason it’s grown into such a phenomenon over the years.
One of the most engaging things to do onAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsis to visit other players and take a stroll around their island. There is something so fun and interesting about taking a look at what other players have built, whether it be for inspiration in a player’s world or to simply stare in awe at some of the amazing things that players can build with a simple set of tools.Dreamstakes this concept to the next level by giving its players an intuitive game engine that lets them build their own completely playable games.
Those who want to see what other players are capable of can load upDreamsand look through all of the interesting and entertaining games available, while also taking a crack at making their own.
This indie darling from ConcernedApe is a pixel art dream. Players play as a disenfranchised office worker who’s tired of the monotonous routine of a 9-5 job and inherits their late grandfather’s farm in the quaint setting of Pelican Town. Much likeAnimal Crossing, players will come across a variety of residents,each with their quirky qualities.
By giving them gifts, having a good old chat with them, and helping them out when they need it, players form heartwarming relationships that makeStardew Valleya special game. Whilst the days inStardew Valleyare set to 10 minutes, rather thanAnimal Crossing’sreal-life progression, the game still lets players decide what they want to spend their day doing as well.
Just like inAnimal Crossing: New Horizons,Stranded Sails: Explorers of the Cursed Islandsis based on a deserted island. Sadly, there’s no furry billionaire philanthropist to guide players on their journey to the latest chic getaway - the player is immediately shipwrecked and faced with supernatural creatures.
Players are in charge of bringing their fellow survivors together and forming a community - feeding them, catering to their requests, and exploring the land they’re stuck on. The only REAL difference between these two games is that there’s no friendly Orville and Wilbur to safely bring them to paradise. And the fact the island is cursed. But the sound of the waves crashing against the shore is almost enough to make players forget about that.
