PlayStation players who love cozy farming sims are getting spoiled in 2025. The PS5 is quietly stacking wins for fans of the genre, and this year marks a turning point for life-sim enthusiasts on the platform. After years of watching Nintendo Switch and PC dominate the cozy scene, Sony is finally catching up and doing so with style. First, the genre’s most iconic title, Stardew Valley, has landed on PS Plus, giving longtime PlayStation holdouts a no-brainer way to finally jump in.

Nearly a decade after release, the game still has the power to consume hours in a single sitting, and its addition to the PS Plus library feels like both a celebration of its legacy and an open invitation for a fresh wave of players. But Sony isn’t stopping at honoring the past. Later this year, a new contender is arriving that could carry the cozy genre into its next chapter. A Stardew-like with painterly visuals and Ghibli-inspired aesthetics is scheduled to launch on PS5 in late 2025. If Stardew Valley set the standard, this emerging title is angling to add some new twists to it. And the combination makes PS5 the console to have for farming sim fans this year.

Studio Ghibli Fans Are Getting a Stardew Valley-Like Game That May Be The Best of Both Worlds
Studio Ghibli Fans Are Getting a Stardew Valley-Like Game That May Be The Best of Both Worlds

Blending the whimsy of a Studio Ghibli movie with the gameplay of Stardew Valley, this upcoming Stardew Valley-like game checks all the right boxes.

2
By 

Stardew Valley is Now Available on PS Plus

stardew valley free playstation vita ps3 trick wrong no watermark dupe

After years of cult status across PC and Nintendo Switch, Stardew Valley has arrived in the PS Plus library. For PlayStation players who somehow missed out on its rise, the subscription service is making it easier than ever to get hooked. The move not only expands the game’s audience but also introduces a whole new wave of console players to its mix of farming, relationships, and dungeon crawling.

stardew valley player with 1000 hours surprised by cutscene

Even nearly a decade after release, Stardew Valley remains the gold standard of the genre. Its blend of simplicity and depth continues to inspire indie developers, and its presence on PS Plus signals that PlayStation recognizes the staying power of cozy sims. More importantly, it offers a low-barrier entry point for fans curious about the game that helped kick off a renaissance in life-sim titles.

Two Cats or Two Dogs

Starsand Island Coming Soon To PS5

Starsand Island Tag Page Cover Art

As if Stardew Valley on PS Plus wasn’t enough, PlayStation has another treat lined up for fans of the genre. Starsand Island is a Stardew-like sim that marries cozy gameplay loops with aesthetics taken straight from a Ghibli film. Starsand Island, arriving in Q4 2025 for PS5, looks poised to deliver a new chapter in the cozy sims book.

starsand-island-npc-relationship

Often described as “anime Stardew Valley,” it’s already building anticipation among players eager for something fresh but familiar. Early previews suggest that Starsand Island doubles down on the community-driven and exploratory aspects of farming sims, while wrapping them in painterly art direction. The game is promising dynamic seasons, NPC-driven stories, and resource gathering across lush, dreamlike environments. If Stardew Valley redefined the cozy genre, Starsand Island might expand it.

But just because Starsand Island wears its inspirations on its sleeves doesn’t mean that it has no value propositions of its own. Starsand Island’s features ensure that the title brings innovation to an often oversaturated genre, making it a must-have for PS5 players who love a good cozy title. Some highlights include:

  • Animals Galore: While some farming sims focus on land cultivation, Starsand also emphasizes animal husbandry. Players can raise cows, pigs, sheep, yaks, and more on their farm, and keep pets like capybaras in Starsand Island.
  • Starsand Island Has Romance: With over 40 NPCs with unique desires and dreams, the friendship system in Starsand Island is advertised as intricate. But with so many potential friendships also comes the possibility for romance.
  • Career System: Players don’t need to stick to just one hustle in Starsand Island. Players who tire of their farm can shift their attention to crafting, fishing, ranching, and exploring.
Rating block community and brand ratings Image
Stardew Valley Tag Page Cover Art
Stardew Valley
Display card tags widget
RPG
Simulation
Display card system widget
Systems
phone transparent super greyscale 8-bit logo PC-1 PlayStation-1 Xbox-1
Display card community and brand rating widget
Display card open critics widget
Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
Display card main info widget
Released
February 26, 2016
ESRB
E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco)
Developer(s)
ConcernedApe
Publisher(s)
ConcernedApe
Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end

WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Genre(s)
RPG, Simulation