A new Story of Seasons is always cause for celebration, and A Wonderful Life is no exception. The series (previously known as Harvest Moon) set itself apart with its simple but deep farming mechanics, blend of RPG and adventure gameplay, and relatively serene setting. To this day, the series remains a perennial favorite. While Story of Seasons might be the first, farming RPGs are exploding in popularity (just look at how many entries on this list are coming out in the past three years alone). The subgenre’s strong following among indie studios resulted in interesting variations on the same theme. For the times you want to spice things up but maintain that same wondrous Story of Seasons experience, here are seven indie titles to whet your appetite.
Stardew Valley (PC, XBOX One, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Mobile)
Developer: ConcernedApe
Released: Feb. 26, 2016
A game conceived as a love letter to Story of Seasons, ConcernedApe’s C#-programmed magnum opus flung farming RPGs headlong into the mainstream with its explosive popularity. Any list would be incomplete without it. Between Stardew Valley‘s beautiful pixel graphics, heartfelt character writing, and simple-to-understand mechanics, it’s easy to see why it’s such a hit with fans. You’re unleashed into a world that fits whatever you want to do with it: Do you want a fully automated farm? Lifelong friendships as you get involved with the business of everyone in town? To spend your entire day fishing off the coast of the ocean? There’s literally something for everyone, and no wrong way to play. With new content being added as of the 1.6 patch and a ton of mods, there’s also a lot for returning players.
Coral Island (PC)
Developer: Stairway Games
Published by: Humble Games
Released: Oct. 11, 2022 (Early Access)
For those looking for a more detailed farming RPG, Coral Island might be the game for you. While still in early access, it’s set itself apart by having a lot of similar flavor to Story of Seasons and Stardew Valley, but with a much clearer storylines and some interesting mechanics. These include an unlockable fast-travel system (courtesy of the temple offerings you collect), an entire aquatic-exploration game, multiple dungeons, and a plot that pokes fun at Stardew‘s former publisher. From its 3D graphics to its expanded cast, Coral Island is perfect for those who want a little more out of their farming RPGs.
Kynseed (PC)
Developer: PixelCount Studios
Released: Dec. 6 2022
A gorgeous game from former Fable developers, Kynseed takes more of a far-reaching approach than most farming RPGs. Rather than playing out relatively similar years of farming and exploring, Kynseed‘s plot spans generations as you age, interact with others, and even have your characters pass on. With its cryptic plot, unusual approach to worldbuilding, and melancholic dark-fantasy tone it’s not for the faint of heart. If you’re looking for something that stretches far beyond the usual farming RPG, PixelCount delivers and then some.
Roots of Pacha (PC)
Developer: Soda Den
Released: Apr. 25, 2023
A stone-age Story of Seasons-alike, Roots of Pacha casts you as the chosen of Pacha, the sacred tree of a prehistoric tribe. Once you undergo your tribe’s rite of passage, you’re flung into a hand-crafted pixel-art landscape full of mysterious beasts and strange magics. Pacha is unique in its setting and mechanics, using the stone-age locale to play with the usual themes. Instead of donating crops and goods for money, you’re increasing the total prosperity of the tribe. You have to research structures and techniques before you can use them yourself. Most importantly, you form connections with your fellow tribespeople that allow for greater upgrades and further progress. It’s a fascinating take on the usual gameplay loop, and offers a much more heartfelt experience at times.
One Lonely Outpost (PC)
Developer: Freedom Games
Release Date: June 26, 2023
A new player on the scene but no less intriguing, One Lonely Outpost takes Story of Seasons gameplay and shoots it into space. You begin as the sole colonist on an uninhabited asteroid, with your only interactions being mining, tending to your garden (once you get seeds) and archaeology. While still in early access, One Lonely Outpost hits the lonely part hard. You’re pretty much left to your own devices, there’s a lot of “hurry up and wait” to the gameplay, and your closest connections are your (utterly adorable) robot cat and the friends and family who communicate through email. Despite this, it’s still fun to slowly set up your farmstead as you ruminate on being a lonely prospector/farmer, explore ruins, and dig up ancient relics.
Sun Haven (PC)
Developer: Pixel Sprout Studios
Release Date: Mar. 10, 2023
A multiplayer farming RPG with a twist, Sun Haven leans a lot harder on the “RPG” part of the premise. You select class and race at the beginning of the game, including such outre choices as “angel” and “naga”. While the intro mechanics might feel familiar to those who’ve played Stardew and other 2D farming titles, Sun Haven adds more transparent XP mechanics, a much more prominent plot placed front-and-center (the first townsperson you meet even rides in on the train with you), and a refreshing high-fantasy setting. For those craving a lot more RPG in their farming RPG, or simply those who thought Story of Seasons needed a little more fanciful content, this is definitely a game to check out.
Everdream Valley (PC)
Developer: Mooneaters
Publisher: Untold Tales, VARSAV Game Studio
Release Date: May 30, 2023
Everdream Valley takes a much more whimsical, nostalgic approach to farming RPGs than Story of Seasons, but is all the better for it. Your player character is dropped off for a summer of fun and adventure at their grandparents’ farm. Apart from farming, you can camp, fish, catch bugs, and have a number of adventures throughout the Valley. What makes Everdream Valley more special is that instead of merely advancing the day, going to sleep lets you take control of an animal in your farm and explore the valley’s more magical side. The more animals you take care of, the more strange adventures you can have. It sets out to create a perfect, magical summer vacation, and it more than nails it.
If you’d like more farming game goodness, check out our guide on all the changes and new features in Wonderful Life . Or perhaps look into our article on all the customization options
Published: Jul 6, 2023 08:43 am