Summary
- Games like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing offer players a cozy, stress-free gaming experience.
- Unlike traditional hero-focused games, players can enjoy domestic living and form emotional bonds in these games.
- Players can roleplay as themselves in games like The Sims 4, focusing on relationships, careers, and self-expression.
Some games thrust players into the role of hero, but what if they just want to play it casually, or live a new domestic life instead? This topic aims to look at some of the best games out there that let players roleplay as themselves, without worrying about their heroic tendencies or not.
There is no need to save the world in these games. Instead, players can focus on other choices they might have to make that allow them to have a good gameplay experience. Whether that is domestic life or something a little more adventurous, there will be something for everyone.
10 Harvest Moon: One World
Cozy Farm Life
Harvest Moon: One World
- Released
- March 2, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone due to In-Game Purchases
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
- Domestic Living
- Stable Routine
- Farm, Love, Grow
Harvest Moon’s long-running franchise proves to players that having a farm life can be just as enjoyable and exciting as something more adventurous. In this particular installment, players can create themselves in the likeness of a farmer whose life revolved around farming, friendship, and family.
The only world players are saving is the little one they have on their farm, with low stakes such as crops being in season, and finding the right person to spend their time with. The game encourages routing and emotional bonds with players, perfect if they are looking to have something more casual in their gaming time.
9 Story Of Seasons: Pioneers Of Olive Town
Farming Through Seasons
Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town
- Released
- February 25, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Everyday Rural
- Cozy Life
- Seasons Spent Together
Story of Seasons is much like Harvest Moon in its lifestyle it can offer. Players are not the hero of the story. Instead, they are just a local looking to contribute in their own way, which is a powerful story in itself. Players can romance many characters so that they can become part of their lives, including the game offering same-gender companionship too.
InZOI: How to Make Coffee & Increase Coffee Crafting Skill
In InZOI, Zois can make their own coffee and increase the coffee crafting Skill. Find out how in this guide.
Story of Seasons lets players find fulfillment in the everyday, and with the chance of season being one of the biggest parts of the game, life can be tranquil and cozy for players.
8 Calico
Kitty Cat Galore
Calico
- Released
- December 15, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Life Simulation
- Cat Café Charm
- Whimsy Atmosphere
- Magical Chill
Calico allows players to be a magical café owner with whimsy. Roleplaying as themselves, players can focus on their daily tasks and creativity in-game, knowing there is no big bad out there. Decorate the café and cuddle the cats, and if players need a little hero but not too much, they can run an errand or two for other villagers.
This game is one of those that offers zero pressure on gameplay, with no need to worry about fighting monsters. Players can put their focus on self-expression in this magical world and just explore their environment.
7 Minecraft
Blocks Of Creative Wonder
Minecraft
- Released
- November 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
- Build Your World
- Peaceful Creativity Mode
- Be Whoever, Do Whatever
Minecraft is one of the ultimate sandbox games out there, that allows players to just have a cozy life and not fight monsters at all. With the choices of a peaceful or semi-peaceful playthrough, players may never have to even see an enemy in the game, and can focus on other animals instead.
With the option to play as themselves with any skin they can find or make, players can be the person they would like to be, focusing on builds, mechanics, farming, and so much more. There are no guidelines on what players need to do, and they can instead follow their hearts.
6 Hello Kitty Island Adventure
Sanrio & You
Hello Kitty Island Adventure
- Released
- July 28, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Life Simulation
- Gentle Daily Goals
- Sanrio Simulator
- No Stressful Quests
Hello Kitty Island Adventure does allow players to roleplay as themselves, but in animal form. This allows players to blend in with the world around them. While there are quests to do for the characters or to unlock new spaces, there is no time limit or pressure, and instead some quests take several IRL days to complete, keeping the pace slow.
Minecraft: How To Make A Saddle
Learn how to make a saddle in Minecraft to avoid the endless grind of searching for one in a chest.
Players will appreciate the ability to be the kind of character they want to on the island, whether they choose to help characters out, or focus on having the best house on the island.
5 Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Island Life At Your Pace
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Released
- March 20, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Everyone / Comic Mischief, Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
- Island Life Reset
- Chill With Villagers
- Slow-paced Daily Tasks
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is one of the best storyless games out there, with players being able to focus on just about anything with no pressure to progress. Players can choose to live outside a tent for the entirety of their time in the game and never give Tom Nook any of their hard-earned money.
Because the villagers all have different personalities, players can choose what kind of characters they want for their neighbors. While the player is the mayor of the town, they can choose not to live by that label and instead focus on meeting new people.
4 Tiny Life
Domesticated Life In Pixel Form
- Pixelated Style
- Domestic sandbox
- Soft chaos
Tiny Life is a pixel-style game that allows players to live out a domesticated life in their own way. Characters can be customized and tailored to be a mini-player lookalike, and their life is a very simple and casual one, perfect for times when fans want to escape reality but in a cozy way.
Players can choose to help their mini-me build new relationships or skills or instead choose to cathartically make their lives something more like a misery, with surprises waiting around every corner.
3 Stardew Valley
Farmer Goes Dating
Stardew Valley
- Released
- February 26, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco)
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Simulation
- Be A Farmer
- Love, Fish, Plant
- Your Rules
Stardew Valley starts with a big change for players as their grandpa’s farm has been left for them to run. But once they get there, players get to choose exactly what they want to do with their time. While turning a profit is recommended to keep the farm running, they can spend more time romancing the locals or even exploring caves to find treasure.
Players can roleplay themselves in the game and make choices that they would in their real lives. Choosing whether to help villagers or not, or even who to talk to and hang around with. There is so much to do every day in the valley, and no need to play the hero.
2 Inzoi
Realistic Visuals For Your Digital Life
InZOI
- Released
- March 28, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Life Simulation
- Realistic Roleplay
- Relationships With Reward
- Careers, Homes, Goals
InZOI is a newer title on the list and is a sandbox game with so many possibilities. Players can choose to be a version of themselves and have a new life. There are no high-stakes or hero playing. Instead, players can choose to work on their career or relationships and build something they can always come back to.
The character customization is very well detailed and realistic, making sure that players can match their digital avatar as closely as they would like.
1 Sims 4
Focus Into Flow
The Sims 4
- Released
- September 2, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Crude Humor, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
- Ultimate Life Sim
- No Rules
- Your Choices Matter
The Sims 4 has to be one of the ultimate choices for players looking to explore a new life as a digital self in a game. The Sims 4, like IRL, does not have clear goals or expectations, and instead lets the players choose what to do with their life and what skills to build on.
Players can choose to be the hero of their own story rather than fighting a monster or villain. Maybe they might even choose to be the villain instead, and terrorize their neighbors as they live their new digital life.
8 Most Fun Western RPGs, Ranked
These iconic Western RPGs provide the most fun in the entire genre, delivering great storylines and immersive worlds for players to enjoy.