Stardew Valley Fans Should Keep an Eye on Ekoh Beach

Ekoh Beach promises a new addition to the cozy life sim genre, and it looks primed to be a game many Stardew Valley fans will be intrigued by. From the overall aesthetic to its premise, Ekoh Beach mirrors a lot of Stardew Valley‘s best qualities, but there is one fun twist that sets it apart. Instead of a farm simulator, Ekoh Beach is set on an isolated planet where a robot rebellion has wreaked havoc on the town.

Unlike Stardew Valley, Ekoh Beach is a sci-fi counterpart that looks to bring something fresh to the genre while also staying true to its roots. Ekoh Beach tasks players with taking on the role of Town Planner. After a robot rebellion pushes the beach-side town into chaos, the Town Planner has to work to bring the community back to its former glory. The game’s pixelated artstyle and mechanics look incredibly similar to Stardew Valley, but the goals and story are quite different, which could be a breath of fresh air for fans who are in the market for something different that still has a bit of familiarity.

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Ekoh Beach Puts a Sci-Fi Twist on the Stardew Valley Formula

Confirmed Features and Mechanics For Ekoh Beach

• Exploring unique locations, like mines, forests, and beaches
• Resource gathering
• Harvesting materials
• Rebuilding the community
• Over 35 NPCs
• Relationship building
• Character customization
• Run for mayor

Community is at the heart of the story, and the Town Planner’s goal of reshaping the town after the robot rebellion requires players to build relationships. The game’s Steam page states, “Ekoh 99 has been isolated for years, but a job posting for the mysterious planet’s new town planner brings you to this quaint tropical paradise.” Ever since Stardew Valley launched back in 2016, there has been a surge in cozy life sims, and Ekoh Beach looks like a solid addition. Stardew Valley clones are commonplace now, but that doesn’t mean they don’t offer their own unique takes on the genre. The setting of Ekoh Beach is a standout concept that promises an intriguing sci-fi story. From the bright color palette to the robot-infested beach community, Ekoh Beach could have what it takes to be a new favorite pastime for some Stardew Valley lovers.

There is also a big mystery to solve. After the robot rebellion, a quantum scientist named Dr. Terra has disappeared. Their disappearance adds a thriller layer to this cozy town builder, hinting that there may be plenty of secrets hiding in the corners of Ekoh Beach. Taking note of Stardew Valley‘s relationship and community building and giving it a coat of sci-fi paint could be a fun blend to experience. What’s even better, though, is that it could make the wait for Stardew Valley‘s successor not feel as long.

Ekoh Beach Could Hold Stardew Valley Players Over

For many Stardew Valley fans, the wait for developer ConcernedApe’s next project, Haunted Chocolatier, has been both frustrating and electrifying. ConcernedApe has confirmed that the game won’t be released until he is satisfied with it, which is understandable, but many fans are eager for that day to come. Now that Ekoh Beach is set to arrive in April, those who have been waiting for Haunted Chocolatier could find some solace in the upcoming title.

Of course, Ekoh Beach may not boast a haunted castle where players have to work as a candy maker, but it may provide a different enough experience from Stardew Valley to keep one invested in cozy life sims. It’s really easy to spend hours in Stardew Valley, but sometimes a change of scenery can be nice.

Systems

Released

April 4, 2025

Developer

Zenland Games

Publisher

Zenland Games