The farming simulator is practically synonymous with cozy gaming. Though it certainly isn’t the only genre that can bring you into a relaxed state of mind, it’s very hard to deny the success these kinds of games have had with lulling players everywhere into a serene, almost dream-like place. And in 2024, so many excellent farming games were released that it’s hard to keep up.
The following eight games are all excellent examples that show that this genre is still finding new ways to be creative, despite any claims of over-saturation. Whether you’re a Stardew Valley fan or an OG Minecrafter, these new titles will have something for you.
8
Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story
Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story
- Released
-
February 22, 2024
- Developer
-
Lazy Bear Games
- Publisher
-
Riot Forge
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Fair
Out of all the spin-off titles on this year’s bingo card list, I don’t know how many people were anticipating League of Legends to release a farming sim. As odd of a combination as it might sound to some, Bandle Tale does a pretty good job of fulfilling the needs of farming game fans, not just League of Legends fans.
There are, of course, crafting and RPG elements that are typical of the franchise, but Bandle Tale shines thanks to its amazing art style and its exploration. Finding new secrets to show off at festivals is a huge part of the fun. Plus, it’s unbelievably cute, something that all farming games should strive to be.
7
Luma Island
Farming
Adventure
Simulation
RPG
Exploration
- Released
-
November 20, 2024
- Developer(s)
-
Feel Free Games
- Publisher(s)
-
Feel Free Games
- Multiplayer
-
Online Co-Op
- Number of Players
-
1-4
- Steam Deck Compatibility
-
Unknown (confirmed to run perfectly by developer)
- PC Release Date
-
November 20, 2024
If you want a farming game that allows you to do a whole lot more than just farming, then Luma Island will have your ticket. There are tons of ponds, mountains, and forests to explore, and you can also mine for valuable minerals and resources that will help you craft better tools or complete side quests for your fellow villagers and neighbors.
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Customization is another major part of Luma Island, as you’ll be selecting one of seven professions that you can master. As your proficiency increases, villagers will send you on bigger quests. Complete as many as you can to help build up your village and make it truly spectacular.
6
Farm Together 2
The original Farm Together was easily one of the best farming games of 2018. It’s not even remotely surprising that its sequel is not only very satisfying but is also one of 2024’s best farming games. Graphically, the game may look nearly identical to its predecessor, but the new quality of life changes like the automatic mode make the game feel smoother than ever before.
Just like Farm Together 1, Farm Together 2 advances time even when you’re not playing, kind of like an Animal Crossing mechanic. This motivates you to check in with the game daily to keep an eye on your crops’ progress. This game may look simple and cute, but it is a lot more advanced than meets the eye.
5
I Am Future: Cozy Apocalypse Survival
i-am-future-4.jpg
Indie
Survival
Farming
Simulation
- Released
-
November 13, 2024
- Developer(s)
-
Mandragora
- Publisher(s)
-
tinyBuild
- How Long To Beat
-
13.5 Hours
- Steam Deck Compatibility
-
Verified
- How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs)
-
90 Hours
“Cozy” and “apocalypse” are not two words people would ever expect to see next to each other, but I Am Future dares to blend the impossible. In this game, your farm sanctuary rests on top of a skyscraper roof amidst a destroyed city flooded with water. You’re not exactly rebuilding civilization like in most other post-apocalyptic games, but the idea of your very own personal farm surrounded by ruins does have a special charm.
You’ll not only be farming in the traditional sense but also building robots to help with busywork, scavenging, and fishing for old-world parts, and can even explore other ruins like flooded restaurants or crashed planes. Thanks to this cool sci-fi twist, I Am Future is one of the most unique games of the year.
4
Echoes of the Plum Grove
Echoes of the Plum Grove
- Released
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August 31, 2023
- Developer(s)
-
Freedom Games
- Publisher(s)
-
Freedom Games
- Engine
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Unity
- ESRB
-
e
The first thing that will grab anyone’s attention about Echoes of the Plum Grove is the fantastic 2.5D art style that immediately screams Paper Mario. If there’s any art style that best fits farming sims, it’s probably this one. But Echoes of the Plum Grove has a lot more going on, thanks to its very elaborate seasonal festival system and the seemingly endless number of side quests.
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Though farming is a big part of the game, it’s the communal mechanics that set it apart. Making friends (or enemies) has the biggest impact on your gameplay, not how successful of a farmer you are. This makes this game a perfect choice for those who feel the community aspects of other farming sims are lacking.
3
Farming Simulator 25
When it comes to realism, it’s hard to top the Farming Simulator franchise. Though there’s a lot to be said about the more mystical and supernatural elements of other farming games, sometimes all you want to do is be immersed in the most honest job there is. With Farming Simulator 25, the physics and visuals are even more realistic than ever before.
The Farming Simulator games have always had excellent weather systems and agricultural elements, and they’re back in strides here. But, of course, it’s the machinery and the tractors that truly make this game different from the rest.
2
Rusty’s Retirement
Surprisingly, most farming games aren’t associated with automation mechanics, but Rusty’s Retirement finally comes along with a new way of combining these two elements. But what truly makes this game so special as an idle game is that it can rest at the bottom of your screen as you work (or play) on other things. It’s truly the idle game to end all idle games!
This bottom bar design makes Rusty’s Retirement impossible to put down, but you can always turn on the focus mode which slows down the action if you’re not the biggest fan of idle mechanics and want to experience more of the game directly. Combine all of this with the zoom function and Rusty’s Retirement is easily one of the coolest farming games released in a while.
1
Fields of Mistria
RPG
Farming
Life Simulation
- Released
-
August 5, 2024
- Developer(s)
-
NPC Studio
- Publisher(s)
-
NPC Studio
- Engine
-
GameMaker
- Steam Deck Compatibility
-
Unknown
If there’s any 2024 farming game that truly has it all, it has to be Fields of Mistria. The graphics and color palette nail the look of every locale and season. The characters are all dateable and charming. The secret characters are as mysterious as they are enchanting. This is a farming game that deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as the well-established masterpieces of the genre.
In more ways than one, this game also hearkens back to 1990s gaming nostalgia, with an anime art style very similar to that period and with mechanics that will be familiar to fans of the original Harvest Moon games. If you can only get one farming game this year, it should probably be this one.
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