If you’re looking for a chilling experience to take a break from competitive titles or nonstop action, there are several options available. The industry is filled with titles that go from simulation games to cute farm management titles, making it one of the most popular genres.

But among the multiple options, two definitely highlight and are considered the fans’ favorites: Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

They are very similar titles but, at the same time, have completely different mechanics to keep you entertained while exploring infinite possibilities. Whether you’re playing alone or with other players, both experiences provide fun gameplay and endless hours of content.

This makes it a real challenge to choose which game to go for. But don’t worry. We will help you with this task.

The thriving secrets of Pelican Town or the great company of Tom Nook and their friends? We will directly compare the two games in a series of aspects to ensure you make the right decision. Make sure to take a look at all categories, and you’ll end up with the perfect pick that suits your needs.

• Release Date: February, 2016

• Developer: ConcernedApe

• Platforms: Playstation 4, Playstation Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, and Microsoft Windows

Stardew Valley is the first game from the independent developer ConcernedApe. It quickly became a success among the multiple platforms where it’s available. The game starts with the player customizing their character, who will soon be introduced as the new owner of a farm in Stardew Valley. The farm was inherited by you as one of your relatives passed away. Now you have found the perfect opportunity to abandon your corporate life and start a completely different lifestyle, taking care of this new land of yours.

As you start making money, you can upgrade your equipment and find new ways to increase your income, making the farm incredibly popular among the villagers of Stardew Valley.

The numerous possibilities and activities make this game so fun and famous among all gaming profiles. From building new structures to meeting more villagers and increasing your social status with them, there are more than 20 different activities you can do while exploring this mysterious town.

It is the perfect game for those looking for a more calm and casual experience. The best part is that you can game with up to four players, making the experience even better and more dynamic.

• Release Date: March, 2020

• Developer: Nintendo

• Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Animal Crossing games are pretty popular among Nintendo fans, and the saga is very well-known among the Nintendo consoles. The game focuses much more on being a good life simulator than having a deep storytelling experience. But this doesn’t mean it lacks content or anything like that.

Here, you can start a new life and do whatever you want at your own pace. It takes place on the same island as its predecessor and improves every aspect of the saga, making it the definitive experience of the Animal Crossing series.

You can personalize your island however you like and talk to different people to increase your social features, just like in Stardew Valley. The main objective of AC is to replicate real life, whether when it comes to the tasks you need to do or when exploring islands from other villagers.

Before checking out which life simulator is better, knowing where you can buy your favorite titles for the best price is important. There are many options online, going from each platform's official store to online marketplaces. 

Among all the options available, RoyalCDKeys is the best for your library and your pocket. You’ll find keys for the main releases of the gaming industry for the best price. Whether you’re looking for a life simulator or a soulslike, we have over a thousand titles to ensure you find the perfect one.

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Now it’s time to compare Stardew Valley vs. Animal Crossing: New Horizon on a series of criteria to see which game should be your next go-to. Both titles go far beyond farming simulators and feature a depth of content to explore, so make sure to look at all categories to see which one is a better game according to what you’re looking for.

Here are the main aspects you should consider when choosing which of the two games to play:

Platform Availability

The first aspect you should consider when choosing between Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing is the platform where you’ll play the game. Stardew Valley is available for all the main platforms and formats, going from desktops to mobile devices. 

It is very hard to find a platform where the title is unavailable, making it the perfect game for multiple devices. The only downside is that your progress is not transferable between platforms, so if you want to start playing on a PC and then switch to an Android phone, for example, you won’t be able to continue from where you stopped.

On the other hand, you’ll need a Nintendo Switch in order to play Animal Crossing: New Horizons. It is an exclusive title not available outside the Nintendo ecosystem or any platform other than the Switch. The Animal Crossing series has always been Nintendo’s property, so don’t expect it to be released to PC or any other platform.

Thanks to this, Stardew Valley is a clear winner in this category. You can play it on Switch as well, along with numerous other devices.

NPCs and Villagers

One of the most important aspects for players when choosing between the two games is their relationships with other villagers. It is a core mechanic of both games and impacts other aspects of the gameplay, like the main quests and how you earn money.

Animal Crossing has way more villagers, with over 200 different characters you can find while exploring the island. The main characteristic of this game is that all villagers are animal characters, making this one of the most distinguishing differences between the two titles.

The problem is that these relationships could be more developed, and even though the villagers have very distinct personalities, there are details in the relationship system that could be better planned. They are essential and provide you with resources, ways of earning money, and many other things, making them a core part of the gameplay.

On the other hand, Stardew Valley might have fewer villagers but with much deeper relationships. The dialogues and activities, combined with the RPG elements of the title, make you feel like they’re really important for the story.

Each one has a completion meter of your relationship with them that can be developed in different ways depending on what you do. If you prefer games with good character development, make sure to choose Stardew Valley.

You can also marry one of the villagers as your relationship with them evolves, which is one of the main long-term goals in the game. No doubt Stardew is the winner in this category.

Activities

Another vital comparison aspect between both titles is the activities you can perform while exploring the two towns. There are many different things you can do on both titles, but Animal Crossing is the one that gives the player more freedom. 

After completing the main objective, which is making your island a dream place to visit, you’re free to do almost anything. In this aspect, the game feels like Minecraft, giving the player a level of freedom that is often not seen in other games.

On the other hand, Stardew also has many activities, but most are connected to the storyline and its characters. Your main activities revolve around making your farm bigger and increasing your income. You’ll only be able to enjoy everything Stardew Valley has to offer once you grind enough to have a stable source of income.

As if both titles didn’t have enough differences yet, there’s also a critical factor not present in AC. Stardew Valley features combat against monsters and other creatures, increasing the variety of activities.

Even though Animal Crossing doesn’t feature combat, it still offers activity variety that provides more joy to the players. This applies to both single-player and co-op gameplay.

Quests and Storyline

As we mentioned before, Animal Crossing never had a deep storyline in its games, and New Horizons is no exception. Even though you’ll have specific objectives in the beginning as the villagers guide you through the tutorials, the animals lack objectives and side quests related to them.

If you’re looking for better quests and a deep story, Stardew Valley is definitely what you’re looking for. Each character is unique, not only when it comes to their personalities but also their requests.

You´re not limited to the main storyline; the people you interact with will greatly impact your next actions. On the other hand, Animal Crossing worlds focus on freedom, allowing the players to do practically anything they want without restricting activities or what they should do next.

If you’re looking for a deep storyline and choices that directly impact your next steps, make sure to go for Stardew. If you want to explore everything without restrictions, the relaxing island of Animal Crossing is your next destination.

Both Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing: New Horizons are incredible games and some of the best options if you’re looking for a chilling experience. But there’s only one place at the top of the rank.

Considering all the aspects listed and the overall gameplay, Stardew Valley is still a better option, not only because you can play it almost anywhere but also because of its enormous content variety. If you have ever played Harvest Moon, this game must be in your library, and every mechanic will make you feel at home.

Each villager is unique and perfectly contributes to the story, making it more dynamic and intriguing. This, combined with the fun gameplay, is the perfect recipe for chilling and enjoying a fun playtime. 

Animal Crossing is far from a bad title and is one of the best Nintendo Switch games ever released, allowing players to do whatever they want and customize their island however they like. It also features excellent activity variety and catchy characters, ensuring you’ll have fun for long periods and gaming sessions.

Whether you choose the Pacific Pelican Town or your own private island full of natural resources, both universes are great for building a new life full of adventures and people to meet. Even though Stardew Valley takes the advantage when it comes to overall gameplay, both titles have very distinct characteristics, making them perfect for different audiences. Everything will depend on the type of experience you’re looking for and where you’ll be playing the game.

Now that you know everything you need, it is time to start packing your things and starting your new life. We showed the main characteristics of both titles, but choosing between the farm and the island is up to each player.

Remember that these and many other titles are available at RoyalCDKeys for the best price. Grab your video game key and get ready for endless hours of fun.