We are just around the corner from the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons and many of us are itching to dive into the life-simulator and maintain our digital lives and relationships. The game is packed withplenty of options for how to manage your life, and one of those things is the ability to farm.
Farming games have become something of a niche trend in recent memory, with many games becoming players’ favorite ways to sit back, relax, and enjoy the thrill of farm-life without having to, you know, be on a farm.
For those of you who are looking for that farming itch before Animal Crossing: New Horizons, or perhaps you’re looking for something that is purely about the farming experience, we have a list of the best farm games you can play right now!
Stardew Valley
You knew this was going to be on the list.
Ever since its initial release in 2020, Stardew Valley has been one of, if not the top, farming game to play. You play as a young man left in charge of taking care of their late grandfather’s farm. You will spend hours upon hours performing maintenance tasks, naming animals, selling your wares, mining, building relationships with other characters (even flirting!), and so much more. The game has continued to receive a steady stream of content updates, with the latest “Everything” update adding and changing almost everything in the game to some degree. So far, the update is only available for PC, but it is sure to be rolled out for the other platforms as well.
If you’re looking for the perfect farming game fix, you really can’t go wrong with Stardew Valley, and the best part is that the game is available on just about everything! PC, Xbox One, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. There’s no excuse not to give it a try!
Available on: PC, Xbox One, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.
Farming Simulator 19
When this line of games was first released years ago, it was something of a meme. A simulator all about the monotonous details of running your farm? Who would want to play that? Well, quite a few people. The series has remained a popular game for people looking for a different kind of gaming experience, and the 2019 edition is the best place to jump in if you’re looking to try your hand at being a farmhand.
Farming Simulator 19 is about as true of a farming game as you can get. You manage the smallest parts of your tractor, repairing those parts when you need to, slowly tilling your field, and the sweet satisfaction of being able to cultivate your crops. Farming is not always the most glamorous of lifestyle and this game shows that. It doesn’t have the fun graphics of some of the other games on this list, nor is it the fast-paced, high-energy gameplay of most modern AAA games, but it is absolutely a good time if you are looking for something a little different.
Available on: PC, Xbox One, Playstation 4, and Nintendo Switch.
My Time at Portia
If you are looking for a charming, cute experience like Stardew Valley but its top-down, 2D-style graphics just aren’t appealing to you, then My Time at Portia may be perfect for you. Moving into a small shack at first, you can quickly begin to form relationships with people in town and build your farm up. Again, it’s not just about farming in this game, but it is the main focus of it. You will start to care for the people you meet and enjoy playing a friendly game with townsfolk in your spare time. The world of My Time at Portia is dripping with charm and is an absolute joy to dive into and explore.
Available on: PC, Xbox One, Playstation 4, and Nintendo Switch.
Slime Rancher
If you have always enjoyed the processes of farming but have never been too fond of real farm animals, then it’s time to replace those standard creatures with something truly adorable: slime! Slime Rancher has you catching and taking care of little balls of slime with adorable, smiling faces. The experience is a fulfilling one, whether you are out in the wild, looking for new slimes to catch with your trusty Vacpack, or feeding your slimes their favorite food. It’s a different kind of farming experience, but it’s one that is worth your time. What other game has you selling your slime’s feces on something called the Plort Market? You can’t pass up a unique opportunity like this one!
Available on: PC, Xbox One, and Playstation 4.
Graveyard Keeper
For those of you who are looking for a more dreary farming experience, we have the selection for you! Graveyard Keeper isn’t about managing a farm, per se, but it still falls into that genre of games. Instead of farming milk, eggs, and other wares of that kind, you’re farming things like bodies and corpses, to then sell “mystery meat” to your local tavern. It’s a wickedly dark turn on the farm game genre, and while it takes some getting used to, once you accept the tasks you have to do, you will find some sick enjoyment from accomplishing your taboo accomplishments. So if you’re looking for that farm game experience with a new kind of twist, you can’t get much more twisted than this game. It’s a delightful time that will leave you feeling joyfully ashamed of your actions.
Available on: PC, Xbox One, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.
Township
Farm games are a perfect genre to be on mobile, and Township continues to prove this. With a much more Sim City-esque play-style to the game, it’s a great way to spend a short burst of time managing your property. Of course, it being a mobile game means that there are plenty of microtransactions that it would love for you to spend real money on, but you can still have a satisfying experience without paying for these. This is aided by the fact that every sound and touch is designed to tickle some physiological parts of ourselves so that doing the menial tasks is a satisfying experience. Township is the perfect on-the-go way to get your farming fix without having to break the bank either. Tapping a touch screen never felt so satisfying, and we know you will agree if you give this game a shot.
Available on: iOS and Android.
There are plenty of options for you to choose if you are looking to dive into the world of farming. Some of them are more in-depth than others, but all of them are a great time. So many of them are available on just about every platform as well, so you don’t have to worry about not having access to them.
No matter what kind of gamer you are, there is a farming option for you on this list, and we hope you enjoy losing yourself in these worlds as we have. Just remember: feed your animals or suffer some of the worst shame you could ever imagine.
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