Summary
- Many players prefer real-world life simulation games like The Sims and Animal Crossing.
- Farming games are a beloved subgenre of life simulators, providing joy and ease.
- Various farming games offer unique settings, from Stone Age in Roots of Pacha to sci-fi in Autonauts.
Considering the endless amount of historical adventures, sci-fi explorations, and fantasy journeys that the gaming industry offers, it may come as a surprise that many gamers would rather spend their free time playing a video game version of the real world. Although it may seem strange at first, it's hard to deny that the life simulation genre has encapsulated many players. Life simulation games hold some of the most well-known titles in gaming, including The Sims, Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, and many more.
One of the most beloved subgenres of life simulators is farming games. Farming video games allow players to experience the joys of turning a stretch of untouched land into a thriving, profitable farm without having to break a sweat. For those looking to get into this genre, here are some of the best farming games available.
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Updated September 25, 2024, by Mara Cowley: The warmer months are finally coming to a close, ushering in fall. And with fall comes the cozy times of sweaters, pumpkin spiced lattes, and cozying up for some games. And what could be cozier than farming games? The ultimate form of relaxation, this time of the year is perfect to try one's hand at farming, watching crops flourish, farm animals thrive, and even developing friendships or relationships with the NPCs who populate the game's world. There are a plethora of these types of games to play, but for fans who are running out of titles, there are some more farming simulators that have seen a recent release, thus this list of the best farming simulator has been updated to include these options.
30 Fields of Mistria
Delve into a Story of Magic, Romance, and Adventure
Fields of Mistria
Fields of Mistria brings pixel art and anime-like sprites into a cozy world of farming simulation set in the idyllic town of Mistria which recently suffered a devastating earthquake that it is slowly recovering from.
As a newcomer to the area, the player will meet the residents and start life as a farmer, cultivating their lands, their relationships with the other villagers, and even their magic, which they can use for farming and adventuring. The player will need to do plenty of both to make the farmstead of their dreams, but with the gameplay being so fun and the visuals being so charming, players will want to do a plentiful measure of both.
29 Echoes of the Plum Grove
The Choices Made Will Have Consequences
Echoes of the Plum Grove
- Released
- August 31, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Freedom Games
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
This cozy farming simulator boasts a different artstyle from most, featuring partially 2D characters that look like they are from the pages of a pop-up book. Just looking at these cute characters will make players want to jump straight into the fictional island of Honeywood, and escape the hustle and bustle of urban life.
What's more, Echoes of the Plum Grove place agency into the player's hands. They are free to plant whatever crops they wish, befriend whom they will, but each of these decisions will have effects unintended or no, shaping the future of the island as a whole, something new and exciting in the world of farming simulators.
28 The Witch of Fern Island
Sprinkles Magic into the World of Farming Simulation
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, PC
- Released: May 1st 2023
- Developers: Enjoy Studios S.A.
For those who feel like their farming life is missing a spark of magic, The Witch of Fern Island is the game for them. The players take on the role of Abrill who has arrived at Fern Island by mistake, an old mansion and plot of land left for them to become the caretaker of.
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There is a wealth of gameplay on offer here, not just rearing and harvesting crops but working to become the greatest witch in all of the land, exploring the vast land that lies before them. Potion crafting, exploration, finding new recipes and delving further into the mysteries of the island are just a few examples of what the players can do.
27 Roots of Pacha
A Unique Setting for a Farm Game
Roots of Pacha
Discover, gather, and farm vegetables and herbs. Explore the surrounding wilderness to find animals to befriend and domesticate; fish the shallow and deep waters to see what lies in their depths; and mine the darkest caves filled with mysteries and secret powers.
Begin your journey of discovery as you develop the tools and ideas that reshaped the primitive world. Learn to process and preserve food (meat, vegetarian, and vegan options), begin metalworking, create beautiful pottery and art, unlock your clan’s spirituality, and invent new buildings to expand your village any way you want.
A tight-knit community of people will ensure your village’s survival, each with their own fears and dreams. Develop friendships and overcome hardships together. Grow your village by inviting people from other clans to live with you. Participate in primitive festivals and rituals to Pacha, mother nature, and her elements. And when the time comes, find your true love ❤.
Customize your character’s appearance with the best cosmetics the stone age has to offer. When you’re done working on your face, work on creating the most amazing farm around. Don’t stop there! Design, place, and decorate your own unique home to return to after a hard day’s work.
The game was developed from scratch with multiplayer support in mind. Live together with friends and share your talents and resources to help the clan evolve. Ride your favorite animals together. Compete in fishing, have fun at festivals, and participate in milestone multiplayer cutscenes.
Farming games take place in different locations. Some remain realistic and choose settings that mirror reality. Others verge into fantasy, including magic and monsters. Roots of Pacha choose neither of these options, instead taking place in the Stone Age.
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Players can farm, wed other characters, explore the prehistoric landscapes, and even befriend adorable animals such as wooly mammoths. If that isn't enough to convince players, they can also recruit friends for a fun multiplayer experience.
26 Sun Haven
A Fun Farming Game to Enjoy Alone or With Friends
Sun Haven
A fantasy farming sim with an RPG twist like you’ve never experienced!
Immerse yourself in over 30,000 lines of dialogue, romance any (or all…) 23 characters, embark on side quests, interact with hundreds of unique NPCs, solve riddles, and discover secrets all around you in this lore-rich, story-driven world. Your actions may shape your journey, but your choices will determine your legacy. Where will your adventure take you?
Sun Haven, a farming sim with no stamina bar!
Every Sun Haven playthrough is fully customizable with tons of in-game settings. Adjust the length of each day to be faster or shorter, make yourself invincible to damage, turn off seasonal pests that eat your crops, toggle weather effects on and off, or just enjoy the vanilla game with default settings!
Transform your run-down land into a lively farm! Play through all four seasons, each with its own seasonal weather and effects, and utilize upgradeable farming tools and magic spells to grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers! Manage your time across 3 different farms with their own unique crops, fruit trees, and animals to take care of!
In a world where magic exists, the player finds themselves stuck in Sun Haven with just the clothes on their back and what they have in their pocket. Thankfully, that is enough for a rudimentary start in this small town.
Players will start a farm, meet the residents, and travel across the world with a choice of three cities to start their farm in. They will fight off monsters and cultivate an entire community. What's more, players can share the fun with up seven other friends, which is sure to make for chaotic multiplayer fun.
25 Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin
Combines Action, Role-Play, and Farming Action
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin
- Released
- November 10, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Edelweiss
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4
Farming games are sometimes just that: farming. Players tend to their crops, rear cattle, and produce animal products such as milk and cheese. They sleep for the night, rise early, and repeat the process over again. And while some games have found success with this simplistic cycle, there are titles that are not content with this, and introduce other mechanics.
One such game is Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin. The eponymous character Sakuna fights off the demonic beasts in the untamed wilderness she finds herself in, and then cultivates a home for herself in the land she is trapped in. This includes a rice farm, which in turn makes her stronger.
24 Ooblets
Charming and Cutesy
Ooblets
Full of charm, cuteness, and fun, Ooblets will immediately capture the hearts of any who play it. As one might expect, players are tasked with managing their very own farm, but what sets this game apart from the rest is the inclusion of the titular Ooblets, creatures that players can own and train like Pokemon.
As such, players will never run out of things to do in this loveable game, and the developers are promising more content to come. Now is the perfect time to jump in and experience the game that is a strange but enjoyable mixture between Stardew Valley and Slime Rancher. As it doesn't take itself seriously at all, plenty of laughs are in store.
23 Graveyard Keeper
For the Wednesday's of Farming Sim Players
This spooky sim game strikes the perfect balance between gloomy and gothic graphics while maintaining the fun and relaxing gameplay players have come to expect while playing farming games. The agricultural players will care for is a little different from what they might be used to, as they will be maintaining cemeteries and graves.
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There are also ethical dilemmas to consider, romance, and striving to be successful under the thumb of capitalism. So, alongside gathering resources and managing their land, players will also speak with townsfolk, solve their problems, and even delve into a dungeon in hopes of finding rare resources and valuables to sell.
22 Staxel
Has All the Classic Gameplay Fans of the Genre Expect
Staxel
Staxel feels very much like the lovechild of Minecraft and Stardew Valley. The game is another on this list that gives players a rundown farm and tasks them with making it thrive by restoring it in any way that they choose.
The game doesn't reach the sky-high quality of the two games that it's trying to replicate, though it's still a solid farming sim that is worth it for fans of the genre. It features all the classic farming game activities such as tending crops, caring for animals, and experiencing the joys of rustic village life.
21 Pumpkin Panic
A Free-to-Play Horror Farming Game
- Platforms: PC
- Developers: Bilalaika
Another spooky farming simulator, Pumpkin Panic unabashedly wanders further into the realm of horror, terrifying players with its countless monsters, that, along with managing their farm, players will need to avoid if they hope to survive.
Players can farm, fish, and scream in terror in this free-to-play indie title that is available on Itch.io. With a playtime totaling around an hour, it is short-lived compared to other farming titles, but that doesn't make the game any less fun to play.