Summary
The genre of farming game simulators has been increasing in popularity. Due to the favor of titles such asStardew Valleyand genre stalwarts such as theFarming Simulatorseries of games, players have been investing more time into harvesting virtual crops and farming fields. For some,farming simulators are a relaxing escape from the real world.
Since 2008, when the firstFarming Simulatorwas released, farming mechanics have evolved to meet the rising needs of players and the evolution of console hardware and software technology. In this case, these games have standardized farming simulators as the genre has evolved.
The Casual Farming Simulator
Animal Crossing
Welcome to town! It’s time to move to Animal Crossing. the real-life game that’s happening every second of every day, whether you’re there or not!- Get to know your town. Meet your neighbors, buy a house, and furnish it however you like.- So much to do! Plant trees, pull weeds, go shopping, run errands - or just go fishing.- Get three friends to move to your town or travel to a friend’s town to see what’s up.
Although not a fully-fledged farming simulator in its own right, the firstAnimal Crossinghelped bring the farming simulation genre into the mainstream consciousness.Animal Crossingwas first released on the Nintendo Gamecube in 2001, and it quickly built an avid follower base due to its relaxing gameplay and simple farming mechanics, somethingfarming games often get wrong.
Simplistic mechanics such as de-weeding a garden and planting roses helped standardize farming mechanics seven years before the firstFarming Simulatorwas released in 2008. Players can plant trees, pick apples, and landscape their town.Animal Crossingwas at the forefront of farming simulation mechanics, inspiring the bestindie farming gamesthat lean on cartoonish graphics and a casual tone, such asStardew Valley.
Genre (s)
How Long To Beat
40-70 Hours
Released in 2008 and developed by GIANTS Software, the firstFarming Simulatorwas released on Windows and Mac. Notoriously known for only featuring two types of tractors and the ability to harvest only a single source of crop, “Wheat,” the originalFarming Simulatorutilized Unreal’s Unity Engine to deliver realistic (at the time) 3D farming graphics.
This entry helped standardize farming simulation mechanics, introducing weather cycles, a career mode, and the ability to drive a tractor to complete daily farming tasks such as threshing. The firstFarming Simulatorpaved the way for over twenty subsequent titles, the latest of which,Farming Simulator 25, will be released in November 2024.Farming Simulatorset the foundation for a series that has been a reliable source of grounded entertainment for the best part of two decades. Unfortunately, the original game is quite difficult to find nowadays, but new players should pick upFarming Simulator 19or22anyway.
Stardew Valley is one of the most popular role-playing games, let alone farming simulators, on the planet. The game whisks players off to the picturesque land ofStardew Valleyto create the farm of their dreams, while also allowing them to fish and even fight monsters.
Stardew Valleyoffers many farming mechanics, including caring for animals such as chickens and ostriches. Players can also grow crops, renovate greenhouses, develop artisan goods such as pale ale, andengage in relationships with in-game NPCs. Although many of these mechanics have been introduced before in the genre,Stardew Valleyblends these ideas with fictional elements, such as fighting witches, to deliver a unique farming simulator that is fresh, new, and a genre first. More importantly,Stardew Valley’s popularity and influence ensure that these mechanics will always be part of the general farming sim blueprint, even if not every new title incorporates them.
Sought after as one of thegreatest farming games ever,Harvest Moonwas likely most people’s first exposure to the genre, along with the franchise’s Nintendo 64 sequel. Pushing the home console Nintendo 64,Harvest Moonhelped popularize mechanics such as caring for livestock and the ability to grow crops.
InHarvest MoonandHarvest Moon 64, players can purchase livestock, such as cows, to produce milk and sheep to harvest wool for money. While the series has led a complicated life that included a name change toStory of Seasons, these early releases have ensuredHarvest Moonremains a cornerstone of the genre.
Original Open-World Farming
Minecraft
Minecraft is a game made up of blocks, creatures, and community. you may survive the night or build a work of art – the choice is all yours. But if the thought of exploring a vast new world all on your own feels overwhelming, then fear not!Minecraft has no set goal and can be played however you’d like! This is why it’s sometimes called a “sandbox game” – there are lots of things for you to do, and lots of ways that you can play. If you like being creative, then you can use the blocks to build things from your imagination. If you’re feeling brave, you can explore the world and face daring challenges. Blocks can be broken, crafted, placed to reshape the landscape, or used to build fantastical creations.Creatures can be battled or befriended, depending on how you play. The world of Minecraft allows for epic adventures, quiet meditations, and everything in between. You can even share your creations with other players, or play in community worlds!
Minecraftis a genre-defining game that has set the standard for farming simulators on an open-world scale. The project enables players to plant and farm crops wherever and whenever they want, from carrots to beetroot.
The open-world scale ofMinecraftis its distinguishing feature, with players able to grow huge quantities of crops and live out their farming fantasies all in 16-bit form.Minecraftset the standard for any future sandbox games that wish to incorporate farming, although they will need to cover far more elements to stand alongside this behemoth.
