The best farming-sim games of 2023
While the overabundance of farming-sim games in the past few years ave put some people off the genre, there are still plenty of good ones worth checking out each year, and 2023 was no exception. While the hours required for these games mean you can only realistically play a couple at once, we’ve picked out some of our favorites so you can see what tickles your fancy from the genre this year.
Roots of Pacha
Soda Den
This is a farming-sim set in prehistoric times, where you’re responsible for keeping your tribe going in the harsh conditions of the world at that time. The setting has some downsides – like a lack of automation technology for anything – but it has upsides like being able to ride on the backs of cool prehistoric creatures.
Sun Haven
Pixel Sprout Sutdios
Straight out of the gate, it’s easy to see that Sun Haven is a beautiful game, but it goes a lot deeper than that. Your job is to make a living, explore, and do all the usual life-sim good stuff while also going on a journey of ridding the town of the dark magic that has been cast over it. It ticks all the boxes of a life-sim that you could lose yourself in for days on end.
Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life
Marvelous Games
A remake of the classic 2003 Harvest Moon title, this modernized farm-sim is a great throwback that shows how this is a genre that has always had a strong heart. It may lack the modern flare and gimmicks of the indie scene today, but it’s still a world full of strong characters, satisfying farming gameplay, and a story that will keep you coming back for more.
Fae Farm
Phoenix Labs
After it dropped the price for the standard edition just before release, Fae Farm became worth a look for many, and those who tried it were pleasantly surprised. It hits all the notes you’d expect a modern farm sim to, produced in a beautiful 3D art style that is bursting with life. It’s also full of fantasy quests for you to take on in this unique-feeling world.
My Time at Sandrock
Pathea Games
While farming is only a small part of Sandrock, it’s still the best life-sim of the year. A sequel to My Time at Portia, Sandrock forces you to contend with a harsh desert environment while becoming a part of this growing town built around an oasis. The focus is on building and developing the town rather than farming, and it’s very rewarding to have a direct impact on everyone around you as the game’s storyline develops.
