PSA: You Don't Have to Wait Until 2026 to Play the Biggest…

There seems to be no end to cozy games these days, which isn't at all a bad thing given the relaxing, laid-back gameplay they offer. While games in general are traditionally viewed as a way for players to escape reality for a bit, cozy games go the extra mile by making that escape as stress-free as possible. And in an increasingly chaotic world, that kind of gameplay is coveted. As a result, the popularity of the cozy game genre has steadily increased, with games like Stardew Valley setting something of a standard for the cozy space and inspiring other titles to adopt and evolve the formula. One such title is Fields of Mistria, a farm life sim that is currently one of the best cozy games on the market.

fields-of-mistria-player-and-celine-talking

Fields of Mistria has already been given a full release window of 2026, but the good news is that those who have been looking for another great Stardew-like to sink some hours into don't need to wait until next year to do so. The cozy game entered early access on Steam last August, and since then, it has achieved an Overwhelmingly Positive rating with nearly 18,000 reviews. It's not the first cozy game since Stardew Valley to accomplish a rating like that, but it is one of the few with such a large community of fans that has still managed to maintain such a noteworthy status. Much of this comes down to what Fields of Mistria already is, even in early access, but also what it does differently in the cozy genre.

What Fields of Mistria Is (And Why People Care)

As implied, Fields of Mistria is a cozy farm life sim RPG with plenty of dating sim elements that fans of games like Stardew Valley and Harvest Moon have taken a liking to since it entered early access last year. At its core, Fields of Mistria takes some of the cozy genre's most familiar mechanics — farming, animal rearing, mining, crafting, relationships — and puts them on the stage of a strong narrative and a unique magic system. In Fields of Mistria, players inherit an overgrown homestead in the quake-damaged village of Mistria and must restore the town while uncovering the land's hidden mysteries.

Fields of Mistria's features and systems:

Character creation and customization includes hairstyles, cosmetics, pronouns, appearance.
Four seasons and weather cycles that influence crop growth, forage, insects, fish.
Over 50 crops to plant and grow across seasons.
Animal raising and breeding, plus giving animals toys and dressing them.
Crafting, cooking, and blacksmithing, with hundreds of craftable items.
Museum with a collectibles system: donate fish, bugs, flora, archaeology finds, etc.
Underground exploration with combat, loot, and enemies.
Magic system which sees players gathering essence from tasks and unlocking skills and spells.
Over 400 items for home and farm customization.
Fully functioning town reputation system.
Over 30 characters with dynamic routines, and a gift, dialogue, and heart system.
Romance and heart events up to 8 hearts, with dating options and a best friend route.

Clearly, Fields of Mistria has all the ingredients for a great cozy game, but it's the fact that it has already become so popular in early access that makes it look like it could be the next Stardew Valley once it potentially increases its exposure with its full launch. Much of this popularity is due to the developer continuing to expand Fields of Mistria with major updates and content, including a massive Mines Update coming in early 2026 before the 1.0 release. And, as history has proven, it's that kind of commitment from developers that tends to strike a chord with fans, which could very well be what carries it toward an explosive full release next year.

Why Stardew Valley Fans Should Dive Into Fields of Mistria Now

With Fields of Mistria still being in early access and now potentially being less than a year away from its full release, some fans of games like Stardew Valley who are looking for their next cozy adventure might prefer to wait for Mistria's 1.0 release. However, there are plenty of reasons to dive in right now while it's in early access.

Firstly, Fields of Mistria already has over 40 hours worth of content, which is more than enough for players to make a good investment into the game's full release. Secondly, the game is remarkably polished for an early access title, with its character writing, visual style, and smooth mechanics already earning high praise despite still undergoing development. And finally, again, the developer has been thoroughly committed to keeping Fields of Mistria updated through early access, and anyone who hops on the bandwagon now will get to experience the game's evolution firsthand, making its 1.0 launch all the more satisfying to witness.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image