For the past decade, farming simulators have largely followed the same blueprint. While this approach has proven successful in keeping studios afloat, a promising crop of new titles is emerging, poised to redefine the genre and usher in an era of greater diversity.
The Stagnation and the Spark
In 2016, Stardew Valley reignited interest in farming sims, reviving a genre that had faded from mainstream appeal after the heyday of Harvest Moon and Story of Seasons. While other new farm games followed, even Marvelous, the studio behind Story of Seasons, revived its hit, Friends of Mineral Town (a remake of the GBA game, which itself was a remake of Harvest Moon 64, the latter inspiring Stardew Valley). The trickle became a flood during the pandemic, but most were variations on a theme.
The formula is simple: inherit or purchase a rundown farm, cultivate it into a thriving enterprise. Nearby lies a village populated by a cast of characters ripe for friendship and romance. Crafting, decoration, mining, and fishing are all part of the experience, serving to expand your farm and revitalize the town. Relationships unfold gradually as you learn more about each character, though their stories often remain separate and largely unaffected by your actions. Gifts unlock affection, leading to deeper connections.
Games like Dinkum (Stardew Valley but Australian), Coral Island (tropical Stardew with fantasy elements), and Littlewood (closer to Animal Crossing) all follow this structure. Even when new elements are introduced, such as fairies in Fae Farm, dinosaurs and irrigation in Roots of Pacha, or witches in Wylde Flowers, the core gameplay remains largely unchanged. It’s become the “cozy” version of the AAA open-world game: familiar, frictionless, and ultimately similar beneath the surface.
While these games offer undeniable charm and appeal, they represent a narrow slice of what the genre can be. A few standout titles, like Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin, which focuses intensely on rice cultivation, and the Rune Factory series, blending farming with RPG elements, offered glimpses of greater depth. However, for many years, new farming game announcements often elicited predictable reactions.
The Dawn of “Farming, And”
That’s beginning to change. Now, when a studio announces a new farm game, there’s a growing chance it will be something truly innovative: “farming, and,” rather than just another iteration on the familiar formula – farming and horror, farming and supernatural storytelling, farming and dungeon-crawling town-building.
This shift in perspective was first brought to my attention during a conversation with the founders of Perfect Garbage about their upcoming game, Grave Seasons. Son M., one of the founders, expressed a belief that more developers are eager to push the boundaries of cozy games, turning the genre on its head and exploring what can be created from the resulting pieces.
Grave Seasons, initially slated for an August release, embodies this spirit of innovation. You play as a convict, not a beloved local, and everyone has reason to fear you. When people start dying, you have your own reasons to be afraid. It’s a monster-mash horror story intertwined with standard farm game mechanics, where even seemingly innocuous actions like invading neighbors’ privacy carry new meanings.
In July, Marvelous released Moonlight Peaks, initially perceived as a vampire-themed Stardew Valley. However, after spending time with it, I realized that developer Little Chicken had grander ambitions. Moonlight Peaks moves beyond the fragmented storytelling of Stardew Valley, weaving each character’s tale into the larger narrative of the town. While the core farming mechanics remain familiar, the intentional approach to character development creates a richer community story with a deeper message. These witches and werewolves have needs and hopes that extend beyond simply being objects of affection.
Nippon Ichi Software released Village in the Shade in Japan on July 20, with an international release planned for October 27. This game is a classic Harvest Moon experience, complete with mining, fishing, shipping valuable crops, and building relationships with the local villagers. However, it’s also a horror game, where mythological terrors stalk the streets at night, and the village hides a darkness that no one dares to acknowledge. For fans of Japanese horror, think of it as a blend of Yomawari and Boku no Natsuyasumi, set in a charming farming world.
Also slated for release on October 27 is Cygnus Cross’s Emberville, initially entering early access. While the trailer might suggest another Gothic Stardew Valley with a cast of well-known voice actors (including Ben Starr, Jennifer English, Amelia Tyler, Matt Mercer, Nick Apostolides, Anjali Bhimani, Doug Cockle, and Briana White), it offers much more. You’re not just growing crops and helping neighbors; you’re rebuilding a community center, designing your homestead, and exploring the massive dungeon prison beneath the town.
Perhaps this shift in farm game styles is simply a coincidence, but with four such games launching or planned within the same year, and developers themselves acknowledging a change in attitude towards cozy games, it’s worth paying attention. The future of farming sims looks brighter and more diverse than ever before.
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