In video games, it doesn’t always have to be about action. Games like Animal Crossing are very popular and can offer a peaceful and relaxing break. However, there are also some MMOs that follow a similar principle. We will tell you which titles the future has in store for you if you love Animal Crossing.
What is this about? MeinMMO wants to name 5 MMOs that have features and a similar vibe to Animal Crossing. So, if you want to have a relaxing evening in an MMO in the future without fighting through dungeons and enemies, one of the games presented here might be for you.
The games were selected based on the author’s personal assessment.
1. Cinderstone Online
Developer/Publisher: Codevision | Release: Planned 2021 | Platform: PC (Steam)
What is Cinderstone Online? Cinderstone Online is an MMORPG developed by Codevision and features cute, comic-style graphics. It takes place in the open medieval fantasy world called Cinderstone, and players will begin their journey in the city of Cinderstone.
The story follows a classic hero’s journey: the characters start the game as small farmers who set out to save the world. The world is threatened because the deity that created Cinderstone used parts from the worlds of other deities. And they want their parts back.
The following trailer shows you how cute Cinderstone looks and what you can do:
Cinderstone Online was previously developed under the name Fioresia Online. Meanwhile, a first closed beta took place from July 29 to August 5, 2021. Development is progressing. You can find more about the game on the corresponding Steam page (via Steam).
What features does Cinderstone offer? In Cinderstone, you can certainly immerse yourself in the story and complete various quests. Additionally, there should be a dynamic farming and housing system that you can engage with. The houses are supposed to be fully customizable.
You should be able to decide in what kind of region your house should stand (plain, mountains, etc.). You can customize and decorate it from the outside and inside. Moreover, you have the option to create your own garden where you can grow various plants. You can then sell or process the greenery.
2. Palia
Developer/Publisher: Singularity 6 | Release: around 2024 | Platform: currently only PC
What is Palia? Palia is an MMO being developed by the developer team Singularity 6. What’s exciting here is that some veterans from Blizzard, Riot Games, and Zynga are working on the game. However, the release will not happen anytime soon. The game was announced only in June 2021, and the development time is expected to be at least 3 years.
Visually, Palia somewhat resembles the Zelda game Breath of the Wild. Unlike other MMOs, Palia is supposed to be peaceful, with the social aspect taking center stage rather than action. While there will be fights, they are purely optional.
What features does Palia offer? In Palia, you can focus entirely on relaxing aspects. A significant feature in the game will be housing. The developer team has announced that you will have a choice of a thousand different items when setting up your home. Additionally, you can:
- Fish, cook, farm, hunt
- Deepen your relationship with NPCs. They have their own stories, and you can befriend them or enter a committed relationship
- Interact with other players. You can visit them, travel together, or assist them with housing
- Experience a day-night cycle. A day in Palia corresponds to 1 hour in real time.
On the official Palia website (via palia.com), interested parties can already register for upcoming pre-alpha tests.
3. Project X
Developer/Publisher: Dazzle Rocks | Release: Planned 2021 | Platform: Mobile, PC
What is Project X? Project X is a sandbox MMO from the Finnish developer team Dazzle Rocks (via dazzle.rocks). The game revolves around building, exploring, and experiencing adventures. A bit like a mix of Minecraft and Animal Crossing. In addition to the mobile version, there will also be a PC version.
You start on your own island that you can design relatively freely. However, it will not be as comprehensive as in Minecraft. In addition, there will be a particular focus on social themes, such as interaction with other players.
The game is planned to be developed over several years, with additional gameplay contents and new landscapes being added.
The following video shows an initial longer gameplay impression of Project X:
What features does Project X offer? In Project X, you focus entirely on designing your island freely. You collect resources that you can then use for building. You also unlock items through quests. Additionally, there should be the option to breed animals.
You can take photos of your creations and share them with other players through a social network in the game. They can also visit your island and interact with it. If your visitors like your island, they might even give you a small tip.
4. Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker
Developer/Publisher: Square Enix | Release: November 23, 2021 | Platform: Mac, PC, PS 4, PS 5
What is Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker? Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker is the fourth expansion of the MMORPG by Square Enix. The subscription-based MMORPG enjoys great popularity and offers various gameplay content. If you want to try the game, you can try a comprehensive free trial version.
Basically, the game doesn’t sound like Animal Crossing at first, but with the Endwalker expansion, content is introduced that is meant to resemble it.
What features does Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker offer? The new feature is the “Island Sanctuary.” Here, players receive their own island where they can experience life as in Animal Crossing or “Stardew Valley” by growing plants or taking care of animals. The player’s mounts and mini companions are also supposed to be part of the island inhabitants.
There is no reason to hurry, and there are no elements that put pressure on players. Our goal here is for players to enjoy slow life by playing carefreely with their companions, taking screenshots in their favorite locations, and so on.
Director Naoki Yoshida to MeinMMO
The development was also influenced by the fact that some of the developers are fans of Harvest Moon and Animal Crossing. Final Fantasy XIV also offers players a housing system of their own. This provides many different options for decoration inside and outside. However, due to high demand, it is not easy to obtain one.
Other features in the game include:
- Raising a Chocobo bird for racing
- A large crafting and gathering system
- A generous screenshot tool called Gpose
With the following trailer for Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker, you can get a brief impression of the setting of the upcoming expansion:
5. Galaxies of Eden
Developer/Publisher: MIR Cybernetics Corporation | Release: unknown | Platform: unknown
What is Galaxies of Eden? Not much is known about the sci-fi MMORPG from the Canadian indie studio MIR Cybernetics. The game was announced on August 6, 2021, and the developers expect the start of a first alpha in spring 2022 (via galaxiesofeden.com). The announcement that it will be a “Social Sandbox MMORPG” is intriguing. The setting is overall futuristic.
While there will be a focus on social content, there will also be its own combat system, but the developers state that a single player will not succeed in the world. Thus, cooperation is very important.
What features does Galaxies of Eden offer? The game is said to rely heavily on the influence of player communities:
- There will be habitable cities
- Players should be able to become politically active
- Characters should be fully customizable
Much will happen before the game is released. But at least you’ve heard the name by now. You can watch the pre-alpha trailer for Galaxies of Eden here:
In addition, the game is supposed to have a comprehensive crafting system, where players can create weapons, vehicles, furniture, and other housing items. Housing in the game is supposed to take place in the open world with few limitations regarding the placement of your four walls.
What about you? Do you know other MMOs that players of Animal Crossing might enjoy? Do you perhaps have a tip for us? Then feel free to let us and other readers know in the comments!
If you are currently looking for new MMOs and MMORPGs to play, it might also be worth taking a look at our article with the 8 most promising new MMOs and MMORPGs for 2021.
