Similar games?

[Sstavix]

For some reason, My Time at Portia refuses to boot up for me now. I've sent messages and an error report to Pathea, but haven't received a response yet. So I'm patiently waiting... but am wanting to play something with a similar vibe until this gets sorted out!

I don't own it yet, but I wonder if Sandrock would suffer the same issue. And I've gone through Stardew Valley as well. But I'm wondering what other games have a similar feel to this one. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

(If it helps, I also have Garden Paws, which is supposed to b similar to Portia, but is still in Early Access. So I may try that if I don't hear about any other games that could work.)

[Suzaku]

I just started playing Palia. It just entered open beta recently. Not available on Steam, though. Been enjoying it quite a bit as a very chill life-skill and community game. https://palia.com/news/building-a-cozy-sim-mmo

Free to play. Only MTX are clothing at this time, and a cat that comes with your first purchase of premium currency. More info here if you're interested: https://palia.com/news/palia-business-model

Core Keeper, Slime Rancher, Homestead Arcana, and Grounded might also be worth a look.

[Sstavix]

Thanks for the suggestions! At least two of my kids have Slime Rancher, so I may have to try and borrow it from one of their libraries. And one of my kids got into the beta for Palia - I'll have to talk to her about it later.

[Dunkler Messias]

About Sandrock: I'd wait a month since the game will leave Early Access on Sep. 26. Or even better give it one, two weeks after that, just to be sure that possible serious bugs are fixed by then. Maybe read the news page and make sure the characters you'd like to see are actually in the game.

I haven't played it yet but maybe Roots of Pacha:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1245560/Roots_of_Pacha/

Also the Rune Factory series are similiar, though some elements are a bit, uh, annoying. At least for me. (grinding for specific materials to raise stats, companions are needed for some puzzles) But overall I had a great time.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1580240/Rune_Factory_4_Special/

Dinkum is also pretty nice. But you start alone on an island and have to build a little town from scratch.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1062520/Dinkum/

[Sstavix]

Thanks for the suggestions! I've actually wondered about Dinkum myself. When you make your town do you have people come along to join your community? Or does it remain deserted?

[Dunkler Messias]

People will move in after you build houses/shops for them. :-)

[Labyrinth2 0]

Alchemy Garden, It's VERY Similar, but focused on Alchemy rather than building. Building in the game is primarily cosmetic.

[Sstavix]

Originally posted by Labyrinth2 0:

Alchemy Garden, It's VERY Similar, but focused on Alchemy rather than building. Building in the game is primarily cosmetic.

Thank you for the suggestion! I actually own that game. Maybe I'll have to install it and give it a try.

I was able to fix the problem I had with Portia, though. I had to completely uninstall Citrix Workspace. Once that was gone, the problem I had went away. I don't know why it wasn't causing issues earlier, but at least it's fixed now!

[chikaldirick]

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1896700/Wylde_Flowers/
It's way less complicated but at the same time very cute. You can also do the same activities like farming, mining, fishing.

[dataVi]

I've not tried most of the other entries in this list, but Portia and (I assume/hope) Sandrock are pretty unique in that they focus more on building. Other games focus more on farming or adventuring while offering similar gameplay components.

Stardew Valley is the only similar game I've played that can compete with Portia.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/413150/Stardew_Valley/

Harvestella intrigues me since it is a cross between Final Fantasy and a farm sim. It's next on my list after I finish Sandrock.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1816300/HARVESTELLA/

The Harvest Moon and Story of Seasons are both long-running franchises are very cutesy and feature almost no combat. NOTE! Many of the entries of the series are remakes of games released decades ago and do not have quality of life features that Portia offers. Pioneers of Olive Town and A Wonderful Life are modern Story of Seasons entries.

The Rune Factory series has 5 entries and is more focused on adventuring and storytelling.

[Sstavix]

Originally posted by dataVi:

I've not tried most of the other entries in this list, but Portia and (I assume/hope) Sandrock are pretty unique in that they focus more on building. Other games focus more on farming or adventuring while offering similar gameplay components.

Stardew Valley is the only similar game I've played that can compete with Portia.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/413150/Stardew_Valley/

Amusingly enough, it was Stardew that got me into Portia! I had obtained all the achievements in SV and wanted to find a game with a similar vibe. So far, out of the ones I've tried, only Portia has come close. I'l have to check out Harvestella and the Rune Factory games, though. Thank you for the suggestions

[Veksha]

Originally posted by Sstavix:

wanting to play something with a similar vibe until this gets sorted out

https://store.steampowered.com/app/965230/DORAEMON__STORY_OF_SEASONS/

[Padgey]

Not sure if it’s been mentioned I didn’t read all the comments maybe check out coral island

[Velvetlotus]

I'd recommend Moonstone Island, it's pretty low spec and fun to play

[Sstavix]

Originally posted by Velvetlotus:

I'd recommend Moonstone Island, it's pretty low spec and fun to play

I actually have considered that one, but was quickly turned off by a card-based combat system. After having to suffer through Pathfinder Adventures (and failing to complete it) I've actually been turned off by this genre ever since. Although I do like some card games, I just couldn't handle the sheer reliance on blind luck that Pathfinder required. As a result, it tainted my views of any game that resorts on a card-based mechanic.

[Velvetlotus]

Originally posted by Sstavix:

After having to suffer through Pathfinder Adventures

I'll look into that, never heard of pathfinder adventure.
Edit: Can confirm Ooblets and Moonstone Island are nothing like Pathfinder Adventures :)

I enjoyed Ooblets (have access on Epic Games, no idea why its taken over a year for release on steam) which has a card based system, that was pretty fun and has a similar card system where your deck is based on the abilities of your chosen followers. The only thing that bugs me about Ooblets is the character movement - it swings around like a drunk, kind of funny at first but gets irritating after a while.