New Game Is Like Stardew Valley in Japan

Summary

Japanese Rural Life is an upcoming indie farming simulation game that offers a charming experience inspired by life in the Japanese countryside, perfect for fans of the genre.
The game allows players to tend to a farm, raise animals, fish, and interact with villagers, all while enjoying customizable cottage and adorable pixel art graphics.
For gamers seeking a different twist on the farming sim genre, Mirthwood offers a medieval setting with war and exploration elements, providing a unique experience compared to Japanese Rural Life.

An upcoming Stardew Valley-like called Japanese Rural Life is set to offer gamers a farming experience based in Japan, and it will probably be out this year. Many players are always on the lookout for the best farming games, and Japanese Rural Life seems like a strong pick for people who love the genre.

Ever since the release of Stardew Valley, the farming sim genre essentially exploded in popularity. While the genre itself is not new, as games like Harvest Moon already existed in the 90s, it never became as popular as in the last decade. Now, while the creator of Stardew Valley pauses work on the upcoming Haunted Chocolatier, gamers can at least have several options made by other indie devs.

Japanese Rural Life is an indie farming simulation game greatly inspired by life in the Japanese countryside, as well as titles like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing. When starting to play, the gamer gets a small cottage in the middle of the countryside and a plot of land in which they can plant carrots, turnips, and more. The title is being developed by Game Start LLC, a small indie Japanese developer, and will probably be out in 2023 for Android and iOS. Additionally, if the dev finds a publisher, it may be released for Switch and PC.

This game strikes all the necessary vibes that players expect from a game like Stardew Valley. For instance, it’s possible to tend to the farm, raise animals, fish, and even meet with the locals in the nearby village, getting to know them well. The gamers’ cottage will be highly customizable, and players will be able to walk around with a cute Shiba Inu dog, giving it treats and taking good care of their loyal friend. Like similar games, the title also comes with four different seasons, which will affect the gameplay in several ways. The graphics of Japanese Rural Life look really adorable, too, as the game uses a pixel art style that makes the Japanese countryside look stunning.

Gamers who are interested in different takes on the Stardew Valley formula may also like the upcoming Mirthwood. In this medieval farming sim, gamers still take care of animals and harvest crops but live in a land torn by war and explore different regions, fighting several enemies. It’s surely a distinct experience when compared to Japanese Rural Life, which focuses only on the coziest aspects of the farming experience.

Japanese Rural Life is in development for Mobile. PC and Switch versions are also planned.