Summary
- Not all farming games are cozy - some offer a horror twist like Don't Starve.
- Gleaner Heights and Harvest Island blend farming with sinister elements for an eerie gameplay experience.
- Pumpkin Panic adds a cute facade to a potentially panic-inducing farming game experience.
Farming simulators or games have become synonymous with the term cozy games, as they are designed with the idea of relaxation in mind. Life is chaotic for everyone right now as they slog through hours of work and studying just to get by in their day-to-day-life, and the only way they can start up a farm in the quietness of the countryside is in their dreams or through these games that offer this escapism.
Best Farming Games Of All Time
Farming sims might be a niche genre, but there have been some amazing titles over the years. These are the absolute best of the bunch.
But not everyone wants a fully cozy or wholesome experience to go alongside their farming endeavors, as they might want something with a slight but more substance, for example elements of horror, to go alongside what people normally expect from a farming game. While there are only very few on the market to satisfy this particular niche craving, they still exist, ready to welcome their player into the farm of their nightmares rather than dreams.
4 Don't Starve
A Tim-Burton-Esque Survival Game
Don't Starve
- Released
- April 23, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Fantasy, Violence, Crude Humor
- Developer(s)
- Klei Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- Survival, Management
- Platform(s)
- Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PS Vita, Nintendo Wii U, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PC
Clearly taking a leaf from Tim Burton's book in terms of aesthetic, Don't Starve is one of the unique and stylish survival games on the market right now. Transported to a wonderful and wacky wilderness populated by dangerous animals and other creatures, players control Wilson, who must learn to use the surroundings to their advantage in order to survive. Of course, a man has to eat, so one of the core parts of the game will be cultivating crops so they can achieve exactly what the title challenges them to.
Best Games For Tim Burton Fans, Ranked
From Hollow Knight to Grim Fandango, game developers have homaged Tim Burton's signature style and themes in their games.
Its whimsical horror aesthetic is just what a player wanting a more horror-centric farming experience could ask for, and there are tons of gameplay such as gathering and hunting to be done here alongside their farming gameplay, so that, no matter what, there is always something to do to better their chances of survival. And with another game called Don't Starve Together, players can even invite a friend to join in on their horror farming experience without sacrificing the creep factor of the monsters. Charming, cute, and a little creepy, this series of games is definitely something horror and farming fans should have on their radar.
3 Gleaner Heights
The Cheerful Farming Gameplay is Merely a Facade
- Platform(s): PC
- Release Date: February 21st, 2018
- Developer(s): Emilios Manolidis
Its name and aesthetics may make Gleaner Heights seem like it is heavily inspired by Stardew Valley. It has that same heavily pixelated artstyle harkening back to the days is retro games, players can do all sorts of activities, such as farming, fighting, chatting up villagers and even a spot of spelunking. But this gameplay, while plentiful and well-implemented, is just the mask this game shows the world, as there is something much more sinister in the heart of the heights.
Monsters lurk below the depths, and also mingle alongside the player character and the other villagers. Not all are quite as friendly as they would pretend, many leading a double-life that may shock and horrify players who thought they might just be in for another cozy game. But this makes it the perfect choice for the discerning gamers looking for a slice of horror to the side of their farming gameplay, as there are tons of both to enjoy in Gleaner Heights. And with the main plot resolving in one of multiple endings, this game s begging for multiple playthroughs to see if the player can shed light on all the dark mysteries hiding beneath the surface.
2 Harvest Island
Farm Away Every Day as a Story of Mystery Slowly Unfolds
- Platform(s): PC
- Release Date: October 10th, 2023
- Developer(s): Yobob
With a title such as Harvest Island, one might assume they are in for another run-of-the-mill farming game that will just see them immersed into a colorful and charming world where they will while away every single hour of gameplay tending to their crops and farm animals, exploring their surroundings and befriending other islanders, absolutely nothing strange or eerie happening behind the scenes. Well...they would be wrong in this particular case.
Best Horror Games Set On An Island
For those looking to feel especially isolated while playing a video game, here are some of the best horror titles that are set on an island.
The main character discovers there may be more to this island and to their very own existence. As they do what is expected of them in farming games, a mystery will slowly unravel with horrifying consequences. They may discover strange items, witness some truly horrifying sights, and even need to offer things every day to appease the gods ruling over them, and it's probably best not to find out what happens if they aren't given their offering. Spine-chilling, Harvest Island strikes the perfect balance between relaxing farming gameplay and some truly horrifying story twists and bends.
1 Pumpkin Panic
Not Everything is as Pleasant or Cozy as it Seems
- Platform(s): PC
- Release Date: October 30th, 2024
- Developer(s): Bilalaika
One of the cutest farming games on the market, Pumpkin Panic has players controlling this strangely adorable pumpkin-faced person as they complete various day-to-day tasks such as fishing, tending to crops, harvesting, and generally just kicking back and relaxing as they explore what seems to be peaceful surroundings. But, is all as it seems? After all, the game is called Pumpkin Panic, which suggests there must be something to panic about.
The game doesn't fully take place under the sun, as eventually darkness can fall, which leaves the player to wander around by the light of a lantern, which is just enough to illuminate their immediate surroundings, leaving much of the surrounding environment in an impenetrable pitch darkness. Was that a monster they saw just them or a mere trick of the light? Those who are feeling brave should definitely check out Pumpkin Panic, as this farming game might just surprise them with how frightening it can actually be, all for the grand cost of $0. Gather together those farming supplies and a good amount of courage, as both are going to be needed to survive and thrive in this horror farming sim.
Games to Play If You Like Stardew Valley
For fans of Stardew Valley who love farming, crafting, and fun NPCs, there are plenty of life simulation RPGs out there to find and enjoy.