Adorable Stardew Valley Replacement Officially Announced For May 2028

Published Nov 13, 2026, 9:48 AM EST Nicholas Becher is a gaming journalist with an MFA in Creative Writing from FAU. With extensive experience playing video games, he covers all forms of gaming content at Screen Rant, from breaking news to the latest fan theories. Most-played games range from Clair Obscur to Civ to Elden Ring to Halo 2 and beyond. Stardew Valley has been a true inspiration for thousands of indie developers since its release a decade ago. In the years since, we've seen countless new farming sims, cozy life sims, and numerous town-builders chasing that Stardew charm, all hoping to capture some of the magic we found in Pelican Town. Some have put their own clever spins on the formula, while others wear their Stardew influences proudly on their sleeves. Of course, Stardew Valley itself has plenty to keep fans excited for the foreseeable future. ConcernedApe is hard at work on the upcoming 1.7 update, while anticipation continues to build for his next major project, Haunted Chocolatier. However, if you're looking for an alternative game to fill the void while you wait for 1/7, there's another exciting new game to keep on your radar in the meantime. Set to arrive in 2028, this adorable new town sim looks like it could be the perfect Stardew Valley replacement, bringing its own unique and adorable twist to the beloved cozy farm-sim formula (via Steam). Critterville Goes Bankrupt is an adorable new town-life RPG from indie developer Penniless Games that combines the farming and community-building elements of Stardew Valley with a unique flavor of dark humor. While it might look like your typical cozy adventure at first glance, there's much more going on beneath the surface. The premise is fairly straightforward: You've inherited a royal title and are now responsible for overseeing a struggling town populated by adorable woodland creatures. Unfortunately, Critterville is on the verge of bankruptcy, and it's up to you to save the town as it navigates an industrial revolution. Players can grow crops, go fishing, renovate their estate, open businesses, and even pursue romance with six potential suitors. However, Critterville Goes Bankrupt puts a unique spin on the genre by allowing you to rule however you see fit, whether that means becoming a beloved leader or a ruthless industrial tycoon. You can hire your animal neighbors, exploit their labor, raise taxes, and even crush strikes if you're into that sort of thing. Of course, those decisions have consequences thanks to the game's unique "Domino System," which allows residents to react dynamically to your actions. Fire someone's best friend, for example, and you might find yourself dealing with an angry protest. There's also a larger emphasis on storytelling, with hundreds of potential daily events and plenty of opportunities to shape Critterville's future. Critterville Goes Bankrupt recently launched its official Kickstarter campaign on November 9, with developer Penniless Games seeking $70,000 in funding. The campaign runs through December 9, 2026, with several different pledge tiers available, and as of this writing, they've already made it halfway to their goal. The standard $27 digital tier includes a Steam key, an exclusive Critter, and a special decoration. Higher tiers will grant additional rewards, including beta access for $65 and alpha access starting at $95. Potential stretch goals include local co-op multiplayer and a DLC expansion that'll let you actually become a Critter yourself. Interestingly, the Kickstarter rewards currently have an estimated fulfillment date of May 2028, suggesting that the game could arrive around that time. However, an official release date hasn't been confirmed, with Steam still listing it as TBA. For Stardew Valley fans looking for something that balances familiar cozy gameplay with a little more chaos and unpredictability, Critterville Goes Bankrupt is definitely worth keeping on your radar. It's available to wishlist on Steam now, and you have another 26 days to back the Kickstarter if you like what you see. Stardew Valley Systems Released February 26, 2016 ESRB Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco Developer(s) ConcernedApe Publisher(s) ConcernedApe Engine Proprietary