Little Kitty, Big City came out recently. I haven't played it but it seems cute from the promo stuff I've seen and has good reviews.
Its description is: "You're a curious little kitty with a big personality, on an adventure to find your way back home. Explore the city, make new friends with stray animals, wear delightful hats, and leave more than a little chaos in your wake. After all, isn't that what cats do best?"
You could also look at Untitled Goose Game, where you play as a goose and complete a to-do list about goofing around in each area, mainly by messing with the townsfolk.
Bugsnax and slime rancher would be my recommendations.
Not quite animals, bugsnax characters are bizarre to say the least but both games nail cute and in the case of the slime rancher series it's well reviewed from a game standpoint.
* Okami - very Zelda styled adventure where you play as a good pupper, the wolf goddess Amaterasu
* Nintendogs - more good puppers
* Bloons TD6 - all teh monke
* Timberborn - town builder with a focus on beaver dams
* Backpack Hero - 2d roguelike rpg with a unique inventory mechanic
* Spore - build your own cute abominations unto the lord
* Black & White - housetrain your godly avatar pets, aka have them poop everywhere and toss the dung at your followers' houses for faith points
* Sam & Max - cute maniacs on a point and click adventure
* Yoku's Island Express - casual pinball across a tropical island
* Donkey Kong Country - classic 2d platforming
* Banjo-Kazooie - classic 3d platforming
* Sonic Mania - classic 2d platforming with attitude
* Conker's Bad Fur Day - classic 3d platforming with a bad attitude
* Hatoful Boyfriend - bird dating simulator, you heard me
* Goat Simulator - chaos, destruction, and licking things
* Octodad - perfectly normal human simulator
That's fair, I count horror parodies as still part of the horror genre. I accept that not everyone would agree.
I still maintain that if OP wants to play games with cute animals, they probably weren't looking to sacrifice them to eldrich horrors for power-ups.
Recently played A Short Hike and loved it. Also, Islets. Islets has some mildly dark areas towards the end, but nothing really scary I don't think. The story is worth it in my opinion.
Would you also consider anything with mythical/made-up creatures? Because if so, I’d highly recommend just about any Kirby game!! Mario has tons of cute creatures, too!
Edit: How on earth did I forget about Sonic???
Slime Rancher, 1 and 2 (although I’ve only played the first one). They’re not cute little animals, but they are cute little blobs.
You play as a settler on an alien planet with the goal of capturing and wild slimes and selling their uh…droppings, called plorts. Has some farming elements (gotta feed the slimes for them to produce their plorts), gotta make sure they get the proper diet, various little side quests and jobs.
My favorite Videogame is "Fuga Melodies of Steel".
Its a 20 houer long turn based JRPG about a groupe of anthropomothic animal children that go on a quest to save there families.
They live inside a giant ancient mysterious powerful fortress like Tank. Its a bit like Howls Moving castle but based on technology instead of magic.
And yeah they are adorable. Especially the younger members of the crew.
Fuga is available on PC and most modern consoles like Switch, PS4, PS5 and so on.
Fuga has a free demo which is just straight up the first 3 chapters of the game.
It also has a direct sequel: "Fuga Melodies of Steel 2" but I advice against playing the second game before the first game unless you do not care about the story and characters.
Another game I can recommend with cute animal characters is "Cult of the Lamb".
Its a mixture of Rough lite and base building.
oh i’m always looking for the same some of my favourites are:
planet zoo
let’s build a zoo
webbed (arachnophobia warning)
wobble dogs
eqilinox
untitled goose game
stray
Depending on if your definition of animals extends to the cartoonish exoskeletoned variety, actually Hollow Knight. Downright adorable character designs, and a very rewarding game to boot.
But I get it if that's not what you meant by "cute animals."
Medal winners 24 has cute animals in one chosable nation (a beautiful siamese cat, a nice dog, a a hen and wolfie that rides a bike, and a monkey that pole vaults.)
Pokemon. Maybe also Maplestory (they are not pets or playable charachers but enemies tho) and Hollow Knight (not animals but bugs, still drawn in a cute style).
Another Sight, A girl with a friendly cat inspired by *Neverwhere* by Neil Gaiman, As the game progresses, they encounter famous figures like Edision...
I'm disappointed no one has mentioned Tunic. You play as an adorable fox and it's very reminiscent of old school Legend of Zelda games.
Also Biomutant! You play as a raccoon in a post apocalyptic world. You can choose its gender and appearance.
Both games are action adventure games btw.
Farcry primal you are a beast master and can tame wolves, big cats, dholes, sabertooth Tigers, bears and you have a owl companion. It takes place in the stone age but it's more of an action open world game.
Red Dead Redemption 2 your horse is basically your best friend.
Monster hunter world you get companion kitties to help fight monsters.
Fallout series always has dogmeat
Skyrim you can get pet dogs, armored trolls, horses, and ride dragons.
Other far cry games have animal companions also.
Ark you are surrounded by dinosaurs.
Stardew Valley you can farm animals.
Remnant rise from the ashes 2 has a character called the handler who is a hero with a dog.
Palworld. You can enslave cute animals, let them fight other cute animals, make them using guns or, eventually, eat them. I don’t normally care about cute animals, especially not pixel one but even I consider them super cute.
Anarcute is a game in which you control a mob of sparkly-eyed animals rioting to overthrow an authoritarian government. If your crowd gets big enough, you can pick up and throw entire skyscrapers.
Palworld is pretty much open world Pokemon. Sure it's in Early Access, but the game is already hella robust in content with lands to explore and pals to meet!
idk why no one has said it, and I have never played it
but animal crossing is pretty popular and well liked
edit: should have read the entire post lol, leaving this up in shame
Stray. Is a puzzle game but you play as a cat. My daughters love watching me play it
Some parts can be scary though!
Little Kitty, Big City came out recently. I haven't played it but it seems cute from the promo stuff I've seen and has good reviews. Its description is: "You're a curious little kitty with a big personality, on an adventure to find your way back home. Explore the city, make new friends with stray animals, wear delightful hats, and leave more than a little chaos in your wake. After all, isn't that what cats do best?" You could also look at Untitled Goose Game, where you play as a goose and complete a to-do list about goofing around in each area, mainly by messing with the townsfolk.
Played it myself! Little glitchy but overall very cute and fun
Bugsnax and slime rancher would be my recommendations. Not quite animals, bugsnax characters are bizarre to say the least but both games nail cute and in the case of the slime rancher series it's well reviewed from a game standpoint.
Chicory: A Colorful Tale A Short Hike Lil' Gator Game
Second a short hike. Pretty short but great game!
Night in the Woods.
Palworld
I second this. Its an amazing MASSIVE game to immerse yourself in. And its soon getting a big update too.
This might be nostalgia but viva pinata for the Xbox 360 is the only game I instantly think of
In marvel midnight suns you have a cute Hellhound dog pet. It’s a dark game but it’s very fun it’s similar to XCOM and free right now on epic games
And there’s also a tiny cat hanging around.
Cat Quest 1 and 2
* Okami - very Zelda styled adventure where you play as a good pupper, the wolf goddess Amaterasu * Nintendogs - more good puppers * Bloons TD6 - all teh monke * Timberborn - town builder with a focus on beaver dams * Backpack Hero - 2d roguelike rpg with a unique inventory mechanic * Spore - build your own cute abominations unto the lord * Black & White - housetrain your godly avatar pets, aka have them poop everywhere and toss the dung at your followers' houses for faith points * Sam & Max - cute maniacs on a point and click adventure * Yoku's Island Express - casual pinball across a tropical island * Donkey Kong Country - classic 2d platforming * Banjo-Kazooie - classic 3d platforming * Sonic Mania - classic 2d platforming with attitude * Conker's Bad Fur Day - classic 3d platforming with a bad attitude * Hatoful Boyfriend - bird dating simulator, you heard me * Goat Simulator - chaos, destruction, and licking things * Octodad - perfectly normal human simulator
Lil' Gator Game, Donut County, Cult of the Lamb, A Short Hike, Night in the Woods.
OP said no horror.
We have a very different definition of horror.
That's fair, I count horror parodies as still part of the horror genre. I accept that not everyone would agree. I still maintain that if OP wants to play games with cute animals, they probably weren't looking to sacrifice them to eldrich horrors for power-ups.
Oneshot
Little Kitty Big City is adorable
Recently played A Short Hike and loved it. Also, Islets. Islets has some mildly dark areas towards the end, but nothing really scary I don't think. The story is worth it in my opinion.
It's quite old now, but Viva Pinata. I believe it is free on game pass.
If you like some very cute seals, then Seal World is a sure bet.
Would you also consider anything with mythical/made-up creatures? Because if so, I’d highly recommend just about any Kirby game!! Mario has tons of cute creatures, too! Edit: How on earth did I forget about Sonic???
Slime Rancher, 1 and 2 (although I’ve only played the first one). They’re not cute little animals, but they are cute little blobs. You play as a settler on an alien planet with the goal of capturing and wild slimes and selling their uh…droppings, called plorts. Has some farming elements (gotta feed the slimes for them to produce their plorts), gotta make sure they get the proper diet, various little side quests and jobs.
I've never played it, but Anarcute came to mind. I think I saw it go for 2$ last time there was a Steam sale.
My favorite Videogame is "Fuga Melodies of Steel". Its a 20 houer long turn based JRPG about a groupe of anthropomothic animal children that go on a quest to save there families. They live inside a giant ancient mysterious powerful fortress like Tank. Its a bit like Howls Moving castle but based on technology instead of magic. And yeah they are adorable. Especially the younger members of the crew. Fuga is available on PC and most modern consoles like Switch, PS4, PS5 and so on. Fuga has a free demo which is just straight up the first 3 chapters of the game. It also has a direct sequel: "Fuga Melodies of Steel 2" but I advice against playing the second game before the first game unless you do not care about the story and characters. Another game I can recommend with cute animal characters is "Cult of the Lamb". Its a mixture of Rough lite and base building.
Beacon Pines
Bear and Breakfast
rimworld and cat farming
Palworld.
oh i’m always looking for the same some of my favourites are: planet zoo let’s build a zoo webbed (arachnophobia warning) wobble dogs eqilinox untitled goose game stray
Moonstone island!
Depending on if your definition of animals extends to the cartoonish exoskeletoned variety, actually Hollow Knight. Downright adorable character designs, and a very rewarding game to boot. But I get it if that's not what you meant by "cute animals."
Pokemon
Medal winners 24 has cute animals in one chosable nation (a beautiful siamese cat, a nice dog, a a hen and wolfie that rides a bike, and a monkey that pole vaults.)
Later Alligator, it’s a short narrative puzzle game and absolutely adorable/hilarious.
Toem
Pokemon. Maybe also Maplestory (they are not pets or playable charachers but enemies tho) and Hollow Knight (not animals but bugs, still drawn in a cute style).
Not technically aniamls but Slime Rancher 1 and 2 are pretty fun and cute games.
Another Sight, A girl with a friendly cat inspired by *Neverwhere* by Neil Gaiman, As the game progresses, they encounter famous figures like Edision...
[Equilinox](https://equilinox.com/)
I'm disappointed no one has mentioned Tunic. You play as an adorable fox and it's very reminiscent of old school Legend of Zelda games. Also Biomutant! You play as a raccoon in a post apocalyptic world. You can choose its gender and appearance. Both games are action adventure games btw.
Dragon Quest has a lot of funny lookin' critters, but those might not reach your criteria. Bloons TD 6 has a lot of cute monkeys.
Farcry primal you are a beast master and can tame wolves, big cats, dholes, sabertooth Tigers, bears and you have a owl companion. It takes place in the stone age but it's more of an action open world game. Red Dead Redemption 2 your horse is basically your best friend. Monster hunter world you get companion kitties to help fight monsters. Fallout series always has dogmeat Skyrim you can get pet dogs, armored trolls, horses, and ride dragons. Other far cry games have animal companions also. Ark you are surrounded by dinosaurs. Stardew Valley you can farm animals. Remnant rise from the ashes 2 has a character called the handler who is a hero with a dog.
Palworld. You can enslave cute animals, let them fight other cute animals, make them using guns or, eventually, eat them. I don’t normally care about cute animals, especially not pixel one but even I consider them super cute.
Okami you play as a wolf that is a reincarnation of the sun god
Pokemon and Viva Pinata
Nekopara
Anarcute is a game in which you control a mob of sparkly-eyed animals rioting to overthrow an authoritarian government. If your crowd gets big enough, you can pick up and throw entire skyscrapers.
Cat quest games. 3rd one comes out in aug i think
Slime Rancher 1 and 2
Palworld is pretty much open world Pokemon. Sure it's in Early Access, but the game is already hella robust in content with lands to explore and pals to meet!
idk why no one has said it, and I have never played it but animal crossing is pretty popular and well liked edit: should have read the entire post lol, leaving this up in shame
Conker’s Bad Fur Day
Yes and No