Ready to trade the chaos of everyday life for the tranquility of growing crops and raising animals? We’ve got the best farming sims for you, offering the perfect escape where you can grow your dream farm, explore new worlds, and relax at your own pace. Dive in and discover your next favorite virtual retreat!
Table of Contents
Stardew Valley
Let’s start with a classic that can’t be missing from any list of the best farming sims: Stardew Valley. Released in 2016 and developed by only one person, the game still attracts players years after its release due to its addictive nature and regular updates. In the game, you inherit your grandfather’s old farm, and with a handful of rusty tools and a pocketful of coins, you’re off to breathe life back into the overgrown property.
But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The arrival of the Joja Corporation has left the once-bustling town a shadow of its former self. It’s up to you to restore it to its former glory! Stardew Valley is comforting, charming, and highly addictive. It offers a refuge from the chaos of everyday life and lets you spend your days as you please – from raising animals, growing crops, fishing, exploring mysterious caves filled with monsters, to wooing one of the 12 available bachelors or bachelorettes!
Fields of Mistria
Although Fields of Mistria only recently entered Early Access in August 2024, it has already impressed us and definitely deserves its place on this list. It may look a lot like Stardew Valley at first glance, but it does a few things differently. The premise is similar: you start a new life and build the farm of your dreams. One big difference, however, is the magic system. You can unlock magical abilities to help you in your farming and adventuring!
The game is a real gem in the genre, with features like jumping, swimming, diving, using magic, and catching bugs. The fishing is easier than in Stardew Valley (for which we’re very grateful), the story is rich, and the NPCs are very engaging. They are diverse and bring the town to life. The bulletin board quests are truly rewarding, offering tools, equipment, recipes, and other goodies. We can’t praise this game enough; it doesn’t feel like an Early Access game at all!
Coral Island
If you’re not really a fan of pixel graphics and enjoy island settings, Coral Island is for you! Say goodbye to the hustle and bustle of city life in Pokyo and start fresh on a vibrant island where you can live at your own pace. Whether you’re growing crops, raising animals, or exploring the mysteries of the ocean, Coral Island lets you create the life you’ve always dreamed of. Dive into crystal clear waters to revive coral reefs, explore caves for hidden gems, and breathe new life into the town and its heritage sites.
One of the game’s outstanding features is its customization options. Your character, your farm, and even the relationships you build are all tailored to your style. The art style and gameplay are charming, and the soundtrack feels both nostalgic and fresh. Coral Island is a cozy, modern take on farming sims that’s as refreshing as it is familiar. If you have the patience to watch something beautiful grow, this is a game you won’t want to miss.
Farlands
Farming on another planet? Yes, please! You can do just that in Farlands, a gorgeous pixel-art farming sim that launched in Early Access in July 2024. In the game, you’ve just made the boldest, most adventurous decision of your life – you’ve bought your very own planet! You’ve left the chaos of city life behind for the peace of your rural paradise… or so you think. Armed with nothing but your trusty old ship and your ever-loyal droid, you’ll dive headfirst into this new life.
Cut through the overgrown weeds, clear the paths, and repair the fields that time has eroded. Your ship may be a little worse for wear, but it still has enough juice to hop between planets in the solar system. Each planet has unique resources to help you upgrade your farm, tools, and ship. The animations are charming and funny, and the relaxing music sets the perfect tone for your interstellar farming adventure. The game currently offers five planets to explore, with more on the way!
Farming Simulator 22
Next on our list of the best farming sims is Farming Simulator 22. Unlike the previous games, this one is more of a realistic simulation, allowing you to build the farm of your dreams from the ground up. Harvest crops, raise animals, and manage production lines – all while navigating the challenges of the changing seasons.
There’s something incredibly relaxing about tending your fields and watching your farm grow. When the stress of real life gets to you, there’s nothing like escaping to your very own slice of agricultural paradise. The game is packed with features like mulching, rock picking, and greenhouses that add depth and realism to your farming adventure. We can’t wait for Farming Simulator 25!
Ova Magica
The Early Access title Ova Magica is the perfect love child of Stardew Valley and Pokémon. It lets you raise adorable blob creatures that hatch from eggs, each with unique powers to help you on your farm – from a turtle blob that waters your crops to a cow blob that provides fresh milk. You’ll grow seasonal crops, make friends with the quirky people of Clover Town, and uncover the mysteries hidden in the Blob worlds.
Much like Pokémon, there are battles. You will face epic blob bosses each time you venture into the ever-changing blob worlds. With three fast-paced seasons and tons of activities – from festivals every few days to deep blob breeding mechanics – the game keeps you hooked. Whether you’re crafting new items, decorating your farm, or mating blobs to create your dream creature, there’s always something rewarding to do.
Farm Together 2
Six years after the release of the first installment, we finally got Farm Together 2! It’s everything fans of the original have been waiting for and more! Start with a tiny plot of land and watch it grow into a sprawling farm that stretches as far as the eye can see. You’ll be busy planting crops, tending to animals, and expanding your land with tons of new items to unlock. There are tons of customization options, from fences to outfits, so you can truly make your farm (and your farmer) uniquely yours.
The graphics are as charming as ever, making every moment on your farm a visual treat. Farm Together 2 is the perfect escape from daily stress—relaxing, anxiety-relieving, and a great way to unwind. Whether you’re building, decorating, or just enjoying the company of others, it is all about creativity, cooperation, and fun.
My Time at Sandrock
We couldn’t make a list of the best farming sims without mentioning My Time at Sandrock. The game invites you to step into the shoes of an aspiring builder in the desert town of Sandrock, a place that’s as harsh as it is charming. You’ll find yourself in a community on the brink of collapse, and it’s up to you to bring it back from the edge. Armed with your trusty toolkit, you’ll gather resources and craft machines to transform your dilapidated workshop.
Much like My Time at Portia, the game is set in a wholesome yet post-apocalyptic world, 330 years after the Day of Calamity wiped out modern technology. You’ll delve deep into ancient ruins, uncover relics of a forgotten era, and piece together the mysteries of this new world. The gameplay combines building structures and relationships, crafting unique items, and even sparring with the local wildlife in fast-paced combat. If you’re looking for a game with heart, humor, and a lot of hustle, this is the one for you.
Lightyear Frontier
Imagine yourself on the edge of the galaxy, far from the chaos of Earth, with nothing but the peaceful hum of your Mech and the promise of a fresh start. Welcome to Lightyear Frontier, a cozy open-world farming adventure where you’ll spend your days tending to alien crops, exploring uncharted wilderness, or building the perfect homestead. With no combat to stress you out and no hunger or thirst to manage, you can truly relax and focus on the things that matter.
What really sets this game apart is its unique blend of farming and exploration with a touch of environmentalism. Each biome you unlock has its own secrets and resources, and it’s up to you to clean up the pollution, manage the ecosystem, and uncover the planet’s hidden secrets. Lightyear Frontier is the perfect laid-back, feel-good experience, allowing you to escape to another planet and unwind after a long day.
STORY OF SEASONS: Friends of Mineral Town
At least one Story of Seasons game had to be on our list of the best farming sims, and we chose Friends of Mineral Town. A remake of the Gameboy Advance classic Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town, you inherit your late grandfather’s farm, and it’s up to you to bring it back to life. From planting crops to raising adorable animals, each day on the farm is filled with rewarding tasks that make each harvest feel like a true accomplishment.
Mineral Town is full of friendly faces and potential friends. Whether you’re giving gifts, chatting with the locals, or deepening your relationships, you’ll find the village full of warmth and memories, old and new. There’s plenty else to do when you’re not tending to your fields. Cast your line at the fishing hole, prepare a delicious meal, or relax with a soak in the hot spring.
Wylde Flowers
Last but not least is Wylde Flowers, which combines farming with witchcraft and is one of the best farming sims we have ever played! Take on the role of Tara, a young woman who’s just moved to the idyllic island of Fairhaven. By day, you’ll help your grandmother with the family farm, and by night, you’ll embrace your inner witch by brewing potions, casting spells, and transforming into a cat. Fairhaven is filled with 30 diverse, fully-voiced characters, each with a unique backstory.
With a compelling story weaving farming, magic, and personal discovery, Wylde Flowers offers a delightful mix of relaxation and challenge. And with a stunning soundtrack that reacts to your gameplay and the ability to control the pace of your day, you can tailor your experience to be as laid-back or as intense as you like. It’s like Stardew Valley but with witches and a lot more magic.
Honorable Mentions
We have two more recommendations for you that we’ve already raved about on other blogs. Head over to our list of the best games for summer to learn more about SunnySide, a farming sim set in the Japanese countryside! Fans of pixel graphics should check out our blog about the coolest pixel games featuring Sun Haven.
Immerse yourself in the best farming sims with PLITCH!
Farming sims tend to be pretty relaxing, but some parts can still be annoying (like fishing in Stardew Valley). If you want to unwind after a long day and don’t want to grind for specific resources, just use PLITCH! We have game trainers for all the games on this list and over 4,800 more that you can use to customize your game.
Easy fishing in Stardew Valley? Done. Freeze time or have unlimited stamina in Wylde Flowers? You got it! If you’re looking for a challenge, you can also make the game harder. PLITCH lets you play the game your way. For more information on security, legality, and other aspects of our program, check out our blog. Head over to our YouTube channel to see our codes in action!
Happy Gaming!
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