Video game developers are well accustomed to revisiting different settings to develop their gaming worlds. Ancient Greece, Rome, and the Norse lands often get the video game treatment, as do modern battlefronts. Of course, they can also transport us to Middle Earth, the Star Wars Galaxy, and Mario’s Mushroom Kingdom.
While it might seem a little more mundane, plenty of popular games visit the world of farming and agriculture as a theme and setting for their product. While they might not be as explosive as God of War or Call of Duty, farming games and sims nestle perfectly into the casual gaming world. Moreover, the games can sometimes outstrip others in terms of world-building and social interactions.
Below, we pick out 10 of the best farming games and sims you can play right now:
Stardew Valley
Arguably the biggest name on this list, Stardew Valley is a beloved farming simulator where players can farm, fish, mine, and even build relationships in a quaint village. It’s wildly addictive, and it’s easy to see why it has tens of millions of downloads.
Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town
There are several Harvest Moon games, but Friends of Mineral Town is arguably the pick of the bunch. The game offers a perfect blend of farming, countryside exploration, and social interaction.
Farming Simulator 22
Farming Simulator 25 will be released in November, but if you can’t wait until then, check out what is arguably the best in the series. Farming Simulator 22 is a ‘pure’ sim, providing a highly detailed experience of farm management.
Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town
A gem in the beautiful Story of Seasons series, Pioneers of Olive Town gives you the chance to build and manage a farm in a vibrant, evolving town. We might add, however, that there were some technical glitches for the game on Nintendo Switch.
Barn Festival
A smash hit from the mighty Pragmatic Play, Barn Festival is a highly volatile slot spinner with amazing bonus features. It joins other farming-themed slot games like Wonder Farm and Chicken Chase on the Pulsz social gaming platform.
Farm Together
A relaxing and casual farming game focused on cooperative multiplayer gameplay, Farm Together lets you go at your own pace while customizing your farm within the wider community. A good choice for novice gamers with an interest in field and farm.
Graveyard Keeper
While it can be somewhat repetitive – it’s a grinding game – Graveyard Keeper provides a unique farming sim with a dark twist, including the disposal of organs. It’s weirdly funny, but it’s probably not for the farming purists.
FarmVille 3
The latest installment in the popular FarmVille series, Farmville 3 offers more of the same in the ever-expanding agricultural universe. If you like physical games, Zynga also commissioned a Farmville board game.
Littlewood
A vastly underrated title, Littlewoodfollows life in a quaint little village that was attacked by a wizard. You’re tasked with farming, fishing, and rebuilding Littlewood alongside the rest of the community.
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin
This one is a mini-masterpiece in our view. Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin combines farming rice with action-packed platforming and combat, all set in a beautiful world inspired by Japanese mythology.