The 21 Best Steam Farming Games of All Time [updated for 2025]

Did you know: My farming sim addiction is actually why I started Cozy Game Reviews in the first place.

Harvest Moon 64 (on the Nintendo 64) is one of my favorite games of all time. I have since played every Harvest Moon and Story of Seasons game I can get my hands on. But as time went on, those franchises stopped scratching the itch for me. They were becoming shallow and cumbersome, losing a lot of the charm that made them so special in the past.

In February 2016, Concerned Ape redefined farming games with his much-beloved farming sim Stardew Valley. My playtime must be well over 1000 hours at this point, combined across mobile, Nintendo Switch, Steam, and PlayStation Vita. I’ve 100%ed the game, enjoyed every substantive content update, and am looking for my next big thing.

As I was playing and testing farming sims, I started rating and reviewing them in my head. “This one is too slow” or “This one has vapid NPCs”—stuff like that. I accidentally became a farming game aficionado, and thought I might as well share my notes for likeminded cozy gamers to lean on.

Here’s my list of the current best Steam farming games of all time (in my humble opinion):

My Farming Games Quicklist

Everything you need. no scrolling.

What are Farming Sims?

What counts as a “farming sim,” anyway? Farming games are essentially simulation games that allow players to manage and cultivate their own farm, raise animals, grow crops, decorate and upgrade their land, and interact with the wild world around them in various ways.

Here’s what I look for to consider a game a farming sim on Steam:

✅ You own, run, and live on some sort of farm or ranch
✅ You tend some sort of crops garden
✅ You can own and manage pets and/or livestock

Many farm games have life sim elements, so you may also find the following (but it’s not required):

✅Time and resource management
✅Social interaction and dating
✅Building, crafting, and decorating

21 Best Cozy Farming Games on PC for Steam

As a Certified Cozy Gaming Expert (TM), I have researched and played various cute farming games on Steam. Here are the Steam farming games that I recommend most of all:

1. Stardew Valley – Best overall farming sim

When life in the city wears thin, Stardew Valley invites you to pack your bags, inherit your late grandfather’s rundown farm, and start fresh in a place where time moves at your pace. What begins with a few rusty tools and a patch of weeds quickly blossoms into a deeply personal journey—farming, fishing, mining, romancing, and rebuilding a community long forgotten.

This indie powerhouse, crafted by solo developer ConcernedApe, blends the soul of old-school Harvest Moon with modern sandbox freedom. You’re free to shape your farm and your future across the changing seasons, whether you’re growing crops, raising animals, or diving into monster-infested mines. Want to settle down with a local bachelor or bachelorette? Or maybe you’d rather restore the dilapidated community center brick by brick—unless, of course, you decide to team up with the not-so-charming Joja Corporation instead.

With online co-op for up to 8 players, hundreds of hours of content, constant free updates, and one of the most wholesome communities in gaming, Stardew Valley is more than just a farming sim—it’s a labor of love, a second home, and a reminder that slow, intentional play can still take the world by storm.

Overwhelmingly positive across nearly a decade of reviews, Stardew Valley is a timeless retreat—ideal for winding down or getting totally lost. Whether you’re playing on PC, Steam Deck, or console, there’s no wrong way to find peace in the valley.

Key Features:

Homestead building: Grow crops, raise animals, craft tools, and design your perfect farm.
Memorable NPCs: Meet 30+ townsfolk with stories, routines, and seasonal dialogue.
Mining and combat: Delve into mines to battle monsters and uncover hidden treasures.
Romantic storytelling: Woo your favorite character and build a future—maybe even a family.
Co-op farming: Team up online or split-screen—shared effort, faster harvests.
Total customization: Personalize your look, layout, home, and how you play.

You might also like these games like Stardew Valley.

2. Fields of Mistria – Best new farming game

Fields of Mistria invites you to put down roots in a lush, magic-tinged world where farming, friendship, and fantasy blend into a cozy life sim dream. Developed by NPC Studio, this spiritual successor to classic 90s farm RPGs wraps a robust set of mechanics in a warm blanket of nostalgia, delivering a rich Early Access experience that already feels impressively full-featured.

You arrive in Mistria—a seaside village recovering from an earthquake—with a run-down homestead and an open invitation to help the town rebuild. From there, it’s up to you: grow over 50 crops across the seasons, raise and dress up adorable animals (yes, really), explore monster-filled mines, unlock powerful spells, and even romance one of a dozen eligible villagers.

Each character has their own daily routines, stylish seasonal outfits, and layered heart events that flesh out their personalities as you grow closer. Beyond the social sim, you’ll find a satisfying progression system with nine upgradable skills, hundreds of decorative items to customize your home, and a calendar full of lively festivals and Saturday markets.

Key Features:

Character and home customization: Decorate with over 400 items for your farm and outfits.
Animal care and breeding: Raise animals with rare colors and fun dress-up options.
Gathering and crafting: Farm, mine, fish, and create from more than 700 unique items.
Dungeon exploration: Discover magical ruins filled with monsters, loot, and secrets.
Spellcasting and skills: Unlock spells and perks across nine unique progression paths.
Romance options: Date and marry one of 12 candidates with heart events and outfits.
Seasonal events: Join festivals and shop the lively Saturday Market.
Community progression: Fill the museum, complete town requests, and restore Mistria.

Fields of Mistria is in Early Access, with more content coming. I got 40+ hours of playtime out of it, and that was before the recent updates. It’s well worth the cost to support the dev, even in these early stages.

3. Wanderstop – Best writing team (like, ever)

Wanderstop is a cozy narrative adventure that blends tea, change, and personal growth into a beautiful, calming experience. From the creative minds behind The Stanley Parable and The Beginner’s Guide, this game invites you to step into the shoes of Alta, a former fighter who now runs a tea shop nestled in a magical forest. However, Alta is far from thrilled about this new life. Her days of battle and glory seem like distant memories, and managing a tea shop isn’t exactly the future she envisioned.

In Wanderstop, you’ll dive into a unique tea-making ritual, where you grow ingredients, carefully brew your teas, and interact with the diverse travelers who pass through your shop. Each encounter offers a story and a chance to serve up something just right, both in terms of tea and personal connection.

Between tending the shop, decorating, or simply sipping tea and reflecting on your day, you’ll find moments of serenity and introspection. Yet, Alta is determined to resist this peaceful existence. As the game unfolds, her struggle to reconcile her past with the present forms the heart of the narrative. Will she embrace the slower pace of life, or will she fight against it?

Key Features:

Narrative-driven experience: Immerse yourself in a story about change and personal growth.
Tea shop management: Grow, harvest, and brew a variety of unique teas for your customers.
Reflective gameplay: Enjoy peaceful moments of self-reflection or casual shop decoration.
Intriguing characters: Meet diverse travelers with unique stories, each influencing Alta’s journey.
From industry veterans: Experience a game created by the minds behind The Stanley Parable, Gone Home, and Minecraft‘s music.

With a team including The Stanley Parable’s Davey Wreden, Gone Home’s Karla Zimonja, and Minecraft’s composer C418, Wanderstop is a game that uses its cozy premise to explore deeper themes of change, acceptance, and the complexity of personal growth.

4. Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town – Best for nostalgia

STORY OF SEASONS: Friends of Mineral Town is a lovingly modernized return to one of farming sim royalty’s most beloved entries. Whether you’re a longtime fan or planting your first pixelated potato, this charming reimagining invites you to slow down, dig in, and rediscover the joy of rural life—one harvest at a time.

You’ll step into the boots of a young farmer who’s inherited their grandfather’s old homestead, nestled in the idyllic Mineral Town. From tilling soil and raising adorable livestock to befriending townsfolk and finding love, your days are yours to shape. The game brings a warm blend of nostalgia and polished simplicity, perfect for players looking to unwind with a slice-of-life rhythm.

It’s not just about crops and cows—though there are plenty of both. You can spend your afternoons fishing by the river, whipping up hearty meals, or soaking your hard-working bones in the town’s hot spring. And yes, romance is absolutely on the table—with a diverse cast of eligible bachelors and bachelorettes, each with their own quirks and heartwarming stories.

With vibrant visuals, easy-to-pick-up mechanics, and a wholesome vibe that never goes out of season, Friends of Mineral Town is a delightful way to unplug and reconnect with simpler pleasures.

Key Features:

Charming Farm Life: Restore your grandfather’s farm and grow crops, raise animals, and make a living.
Friendly Community: Befriend the residents of Mineral Town and uncover their stories.
Romantic Possibilities: Date and marry one of the town’s many bachelors or bachelorettes.
Relaxing Exploration: Fish, cook, and unwind in the local hot spring after a long day’s work.
Customizable Play: Dress up your animals in adorable costumes and express your unique style.

Note: There are newer Story of Seasons games on the market now but this one remains my favorite, which is why it’s recommended here.

5. Coral Island – Best hand-drawn art (by far)

Coral Island invites you to swap the hustle and bustle of city life for the sun-soaked shores of an idyllic tropical island. From the moment you leave Pokyo behind, you’ll be free to live life at your own pace, turning an overgrown plot of land into your dream farm. But there’s more to this paradise than just farming—immerse yourself in a world where you can nurture crops, raise animals, build meaningful relationships, and help revitalize both the town and the surrounding coral reefs.

Whether you’re designing your perfect farm, forging bonds with a cast of over 70 vibrant islanders, or diving into the depths of the ocean to restore underwater ecosystems, Coral Island is all about creating a life that feels uniquely your own. With a rich, evolving story and a gorgeous open world to explore, the game encourages you to find joy in the little things, be it fishing for the catch of the day, mining precious gems, or simply lounging by the beach.

And if you’re seeking love, Coral Island has you covered with 25 singles to romance, offering you the chance to build a life with someone special. The island is your canvas—what you do, how you live, and who you become is entirely up to you.

Key Features:

Dream Farm Creation: Build and customize your perfect farm, from crops to animals.
Freeform Story: Shape your own adventure as the seasons change around you.
Diverse Customization: Express yourself with endless outfit and appearance options.
Island Life Connections: Befriend over 70 islanders and learn about their unique stories.
Romantic Possibilities: Court and build relationships with 25 singles ready for love.
Environmental Revival: Restore the island’s natural beauty and coral reefs through community efforts.
Ocean & Cave Adventures: Dive into the ocean and explore caverns to discover rare treasures.

6. Wylde Flowers – Best for inclusivity + voice acting

Wylde Flowers invites you to step into the shoes of Tara, a young woman who’s just moved to the tranquil island of Fairhaven to help her grandma with the family farm. But life on the island isn’t just about tilling the land and caring for animals—it’s about magic, self-discovery, and building connections with the vibrant community around you. By day, you’ll cultivate crops, raise livestock, fish, and craft. By night, you’ll nurture your inner witch—learning spells, potions, and even transforming into a cat or flying on a broomstick.

The heart of Wylde Flowers lies in its rich, emotional story, which blends farming with magic and personal growth. You’ll forge relationships with over 30 fully voiced characters, each with their own backstories, and you’ll have the opportunity to romance seven potential partners. Whether you’re looking for friendship or love, the town of Fairhaven is full of welcoming faces.

With a bespoke soundtrack that shifts based on your choices and over 35-60 hours of immersive gameplay, Wylde Flowers is a cozy, magical journey that offers both relaxation and adventure in equal measure.

Key Features:

Magical Farming: Tend to crops, raise animals, and brew potions while exploring your magical side.
Fully Voiced Characters: Enjoy over 18 hours of fully voice-acted dialogue from a talented cast.
Romance Options: Woo seven eligible characters, each with unique personalities and backstories.
Diverse Cast: Meet 30+ characters with intricate lives waiting to be discovered.
Enchanting Story: Embark on a heartfelt journey filled with magic, growth, and community.
Immersive Soundtrack: Experience a custom-made orchestral soundtrack that adapts to your story.
Extended Gameplay: Immerse yourself in 35-60+ hours of farming, magic, and relationship-building.

I also have a list of the best witchy cozy games, if you’re into that sort of thing.

7. Sun Haven – Best skill tree/levelling mechanic

Sun Haven is a charming and expansive farming sim that blends the best of RPG mechanics with a magical twist. In this colorful fantasy world, you’ll cultivate a thriving farm, build relationships with over 23 quirky characters, and dive deep into a narrative-rich universe. Whether you’re managing your crops, raising fantastical creatures like griffons and werewolves, or battling dragons in the wilderness, Sun Haven offers a cozy yet adventurous escape.

With seamless multiplayer for up to 8 players, you can either team up with friends to share the farming duties or strike out solo on your quest to uncover the world’s mysteries. Customize your farm, decorate your house, and engage in countless activities like fishing, mining, and even romance. The game’s massive skill tree and vast array of customization options ensure that every playthrough feels fresh.

Choose your own adventure as you explore the four distinct regions—each with its own unique atmosphere and challenges.

Key Features:

Farming and Magic: Cultivate crops and raise mystical creatures, all while harnessing powerful spells.
Customizable Gameplay: Adjust day length, turn off pests, and tweak the game to your liking.
Multiplayer Fun: Play solo or team up with up to 8 friends in online co-op.
Endless Exploration: Discover four diverse regions—Sun Haven, Nel’Vari, Withergate, and Brinestone Deeps.
Character Development: Customize your character’s look, race, profession, and more.
Romance and Family: Date, marry, and start a family with one of the 23 available characters.
Adventure and Combat: Battle monsters, fight bosses, and explore mines for resources.
Crafting and Building: Create over 40 crafting tables and hundreds of decorations for your home and farm.
Seasonal Events: Celebrate with festivals, holidays, and exclusive items.
Achievements: Complete 177 achievements across romance, quests, and exploration.

8. Rune Factory 4 Special – Best combat + dungeon integration

Rune Factory 4 Special is a delightful blend of farming, adventure, and romance set in the charming world of Selphia. In this expanded version of the beloved game, you’ll step into the shoes of a hero or heroine who crashes into the land of dragons and destiny. As the newly appointed ruler of this whimsical region, you’ll balance farming with dungeon exploration, forge relationships with the quirky townsfolk, and cultivate your own little slice of happiness.

Whether you’re planting crops, raising monsters, or battling through dungeons, Rune Factory 4 Special offers an incredible amount of freedom. Customize your gameplay style with a variety of weapons and magic, all while uncovering secrets in deep, trap-filled dungeons. Your journey is just as much about the friendships you build as the battles you fight—befriend townspeople, form relationships, and maybe even fall in love in the process!

The game also brings plenty of new content for returning fans: a new difficulty mode, fresh cutscenes, and an updated opening sequence. If you’re ready for even more adventures, don’t miss the special “Newlywed Mode” and a collection of bonus stories that dive deeper into the lives of your beloved characters.

Key Features:

Dynamic Farming and Exploration: Grow crops, raise monsters, and craft items while exploring a vibrant world.
Dungeon Adventure: Venture into dungeons and battle monsters with an arsenal of weapons and magic.
Rich Character Interactions: Build meaningful relationships with the townsfolk and engage in seasonal events.
Newlywed Mode: Experience special stories with your spouse in a unique, romantic mode.
Updated Content for Fans: Challenge yourself with new difficulty modes, fresh cutscenes, and an updated opening.
Bonus Stories: Enjoy 13 fully-voiced bonus episodes narrated by marriage candidates and the dragon, Ventuswill.

9. Harvestella – Best main story (plot twists included!)

A JRPG farming sim made by Square Enix? Yes, please! Farming-lite RPG Harvestella is set against the backdrop of a world plagued by Quietus—a deadly season that brings death and decay—you’ll find yourself navigating both the harsh elements and the mysteries of your land. As the protagonist, you’ll awaken in the midst of this disaster, determined to live a life of self-sufficiency while uncovering the secrets behind the world’s creation.

Your journey will take you across a beautifully crafted world, from the year-round cherry blossoms of Nemea Town to the snowy landscapes of the Holy Capital of Argene. Along the way, you’ll build your life, tending to crops, raising quirky animals, and crafting essential tools. But it’s not just about farming and crafting—you’ll be facing fierce battles as you traverse dungeons and protect your town from the deadly influence of Quietus.

With a rich cast of allies, including the missionary Shrika and the enigmatic Aria, your story unfolds through a series of cooperative (and sometimes conflicting) relationships. Engage in seamless, strategic combat by switching between various combat jobs like Fighter, Shadow Walker, and Mage to exploit your enemies’ weaknesses.

Key Features:

Vibrant World: Explore diverse locations like Nemea Town, Shatolla, and Lethe Village, each with its unique charm.
Farming and Crafting: Grow crops, raise animals, and cook meals that enhance your abilities for upcoming adventures.
Dynamic Combat: Switch between combat jobs like Fighter, Shadow Walker, and Mage to overcome challenging foes.
Engaging Allies: Form meaningful relationships with characters like Shrika, Heine, and Aria, each with their own personal stories.
Quietus Threat: Battle against the deadly season of Quietus and uncover the mysteries of its impact on the world.
Seasonal Exploration: Traverse the world’s dungeons and unlock powerful Seaslights that control the changing of the seasons.

10. Roots of Pacha – Best for shaking up the genre

Roots of Pacha is a soothing and immersive stone-age farming sim that invites players to carve out their own slice of history in a vibrant, evolving world. Set in a time long before the modern age, this game lets you gather resources, tend to crops, befriend animals, and help a fledgling village thrive. What sets Roots of Pacha apart from other farming sims is its charming, prehistoric setting, where you not only cultivate the land but also nurture your community. Whether you’re exploring lush biomes, unearthing long-forgotten mysteries, or bonding with your clan, every moment in this game is filled with delightful surprises.

You’ll start with the basics—growing food, crafting tools, and caring for animals—but as you progress, your village will evolve alongside you. Roots of Pacha is about more than just farming; it’s about discovering new ideas, shaping your community, and developing lasting friendships. And if you want to share the experience, you can team up with friends in co-op mode to explore and expand together.

From customizing your character and home to attending vibrant festivals and even starting a family, there’s no shortage of ways to make your mark on the world. The game encourages a laid-back pace, where you can take your time and enjoy every peaceful moment without the pressure of deadlines.

Key Features:

Relaxing Prehistoric Setting: Explore a charming stone-age world at your own pace.
Community-Focused Gameplay: Grow your village, make friends, and help your clan evolve.
Co-op Multiplayer: Team up with friends and experience the world of Pacha together.
Character and Farm Customization: Personalize your character, home, and farm to tell your unique story.
Endless Exploration: Discover new biomes, animals, and hidden secrets in every corner.
Festivals and Romance: Attend seasonal festivals, tame pets, and even start a family.
Tool and Item Crafting: Create tools, buildings, and resources to advance your society.
No Time Pressure: Play at your own pace and complete goals across different seasons.

Personally, I see Roots of Pacha as the “next Stardew Valley.” And Soda Den’s recent 1.3 update solidifies that for me.

11. Summer in Mara – Best for (sailing) exploration

Summer in Mara invites you to step into the sandals of Koa, a young adventurer in search of her place in the world, all while tending to a lush, vibrant island in a tropical archipelago. This cozy, single-player adventure combines farming, crafting, and exploration with a heartfelt narrative that’s perfect for unwinding after a long day.

With your trusty boat, you’ll sail across over 20 islands, discovering hidden treasures, meeting quirky characters, and facing off against an evil corporation bent on exploiting the natural beauty of Mara. The world feels alive, with a dynamic day-night cycle that influences both the environment and gameplay. You’ll grow crops, raise animals, and craft tools while making meaningful connections with over 25 characters, each with their own stories and secrets to share.

The game’s handmade art style and relaxing atmosphere make it a joy to get lost in, while the more than 300 quests ensure that there’s always something new to do.

Key Features:

Adventure at Sea: Upgrade your boat and explore uncharted waters for hidden secrets.
Over 20 Islands to Explore: Sail to new places, uncover treasures, and meet colorful characters.
Island Customization: Build your dream island with crops, animals, and tools.
25+ Unique Characters: Befriend a cast of diverse NPCs, each with their own stories.
300+ Quests: Dive into a rich narrative with hundreds of quests to improve Mara.
Dynamic World: Experience a changing world with day-night cycles and weather events.

12. Farming Simulator 22 – Best farming sim for realism

Farming Simulator 22 is the ultimate sandbox for aspiring farmers and farm enthusiasts alike. It’s a game that gives you full control of your agricultural empire – from planting crops and raising animals to managing complex production chains. The changing seasons bring new challenges and opportunities, with winter proving particularly tricky for those who aren’t prepared. You can get hands-on with everything, whether you’re running a vineyard in the sun-kissed south of France or cultivating acres of crops in the wide-open plains of the US Midwest.

What’s new this time around? A ton. Farming Simulator 22 introduces innovative mechanics like mulching and stone picking, as well as an improved build mode that lets you add everything from greenhouses to beehives to your farm. And for those who want to make their mark, there’s a new character creator to customize your farmer down to the last detail. But it doesn’t stop there – the game boasts over 400 vehicles and tools from real-life agricultural brands like John Deere, Case IH, and New Holland, ensuring that you’ve got all the right gear for your farm.

Want to take the farming fun to the next level? Invite your friends over for some cross-platform multiplayer action and build your empire together. Plus, with a wealth of community-created mods that are officially tested and supported by the developers, there’s always something new to explore.

Key Features:

Diverse Environments: Farm in a variety of regions, from Mediterranean vineyards to American farmlands.
Seasonal Gameplay: Navigate the challenges of each season, including the icy grip of winter.
Cross-Platform Multiplayer: Team up with friends, no matter what platform they’re on.
Over 400 Vehicles and Tools: Use real farming equipment from over 100 iconic brands.
Expanded Build Mode: Add greenhouses, beehives, and more to expand your operations.
Character Customization: Create your unique farmer with a new character creator.
Modding Support: Enjoy countless community-made mods, officially supported by the developers.

13. Fae Farm – Best for cross-platform play

Fae Farm invites you to swap your stress for spellcraft in this charming, cozy-life RPG from Phoenix Labs. Set sail for the whimsical island of Azoria, where farming, foraging, and friendship collide in a vibrant world brimming with magic and mystery. Whether you’re customizing your farmhouse, casting spells to clear mischievous creatures from enchanted caves, or building relationships with quirky locals, Fae Farm blends the best of cozy simulation with lighthearted adventure.

Designed for solo play or seamless co-op with up to three friends (online or local), Fae Farm lets you explore at your own pace. Grow your homestead, craft potions, decorate your dream home, and dive into seasonal events that unfold independent of the in-game calendar. It’s approachable, inclusive, and endlessly relaxing—perfect for fans of games like Stardew Valley or Animal Crossing, with a magical twist.

With cross-platform play, customization galore, and plenty of cuddly creatures (plus a few magical baddies), Fae Farm delivers a wholesome, enchanting escape that feels just as good shared as it does solo. Ready to put down roots in Azoria?

Key Features:

Customize your farm: Design your homestead with decorations, furniture, and cozy flair.
Cast spells and explore: Use magic to navigate dungeons and overcome island challenges.
Play solo or co-op: Supports 1–4 players online or via local wireless.
Meet magical creatures: Raise cuddly animals and gather rare ingredients from critters.
Build relationships: Befriend locals, go on dates, and even get married.
Seasonal magic: Unlock new areas and surprises as seasons change.
Relax and roam: Story progression isn’t tied to a clock—play entirely at your own pace.
Cross-platform play: Share your adventure with friends across devices.

14. Research Story – Best for puzzle-lovers

Research Story is a charming farming sim with a twist of discovery and adventure. Set in the picturesque town of Shimmerbrook, you’re tasked with researching the lush, wild flora and fauna that thrive in the region. As a researcher for the Violet Archive, you’ll explore diverse environments, discover over 90 plants, creatures, and fish, and catalog your findings to contribute to scientific knowledge. But it’s not all about plants and paper – you’ll grow crops, tame animals, and even befriend the quirky townsfolk, forging deep connections along the way. The game invites you to dive into farming, creature-raising, mining, and puzzle-solving, all while uncovering the mysteries behind the unusual proliferation of plants and creatures in the area.

The Early Access release is packed with a robust set of features that make it easy to get lost in Shimmerbrook’s peaceful, yet intriguing world. While the full game is still in development, there’s already a ton of content to enjoy, including 60+ researchable species, a variety of farming activities, and even romantic storylines with ten unique characters. With a roadmap promising more crops, creatures, and expanded mechanics, the future of Research Story is as bright as the sun over your farm.

Key Features:

Research & Discovery: Discover and document 90+ plants, creatures, and fish to add to the Violet Archive.
Farming & Taming: Grow crops with unique conditions and tame 29 distinct creatures with special perks.
Puzzle Caves & Mines: Solve puzzles, mine ores, and find rare plants and creatures hidden deep within Shimmerbrook.
Fishing Fun: Catch common and rare fish using different bait and fishing techniques.
Crafting & Building: Enhance your farm with crafting stations, automated systems, and decor to make your space uniquely yours.
Befriend & Romance NPCs: Build relationships with over 15 NPCs, including 10 romanceable characters with special dates and events.
Steam Deck Compatibility: Enjoy seamless play on Steam Deck with verified support.
Early Access Development: Join the journey as the game continues to evolve with community feedback.

Research Story is in Early Access, and has been since 2023. I’d suggest downloading the free demo to try before you buy.

15. Farm Together – Best for a silly, unserious time

Farm Together is the ultimate farming sim for those who want to relax, build, and grow without any of the stress. Whether you’re flying solo or teaming up with friends, this game offers a laid-back, yet rewarding experience where your farm expands at your own pace. You start small with a simple plot, and before you know it, your land stretches as far as the eye can see.

From planting crops to raising animals, Farm Together has it all. You’ll tend to your land, earn money, unlock new features, and watch your farm flourish. Time even continues to tick away when you’re offline, so when you return, you’ll always have something to check in on. If you prefer to share your space, the game allows you to open your farm to friends or the public, with a simple permission system that lets you control what others can do.

Customization is a big part of the fun—decorate your farm with fences, roads, and buildings, or personalize your avatar and even your tractor. You can even take your pet on the go, whether you’re a dog lover or a cat person. And when you need a break from farming, your in-game home awaits. You can decorate the interiors, try your hand at cooking, or relax with a creative hobby like painting or music.

Key Features:

Relaxing Farming: Build, grow, and manage your farm at your own pace.
Multiplayer Fun: Play solo or invite friends to co-op with a flexible permission system.
Customize Everything: Personalize your farm, avatar, and even your pet.
Time Progression: Your farm keeps growing while you’re away, ensuring constant rewards.
Creative Freedom: Design your home, cook, paint, and more during your downtime.

16. Paleo Pines – Best for dinosaur pets

Paleo Pines is an adventure-packed, cozy farming sim set on an island where dinosaurs roam free and the locals are as quirky as the creatures they share their world with. Imagine a place where dinosaurs and humans live side-by-side in harmony, and you’re right at the heart of it—building a ranch, befriending adorable dinos, and uncovering the island’s secrets. Your journey begins with a loyal dino companion, Lucky, a parasaurolophus who’s been by your side since she was just an egg. Together, you’ll explore the island, meet friendly (and sometimes odd) townsfolk, and create a flourishing dino sanctuary.

As you get settled, you’ll have the chance to design your home and farm, with no two ranches looking alike. From creating cozy pens for your dino buddies to cultivating lush gardens and farming crops alongside your prehistoric pals, there’s plenty of space to get creative. Each dino brings something special to the table—whether it’s farming skills or a specific love for a certain type of crop. As you build relationships with both the dinos and the islanders, you’ll also uncover the mysteries surrounding Lucky’s lost kin, all while discovering new dinos, hidden areas, and adorable interactions.

Whether you’re exploring the flower-filled fields of Veridian Valley or the high canyons of Ariacotta, Paleo Pines invites you to dive into a world brimming with charm, adventure, and endless possibilities. So, grab your flute and prepare for an unforgettable journey where you and your dino friends can grow, explore, and build your very own dino paradise!

Key Features:

Charming Island Setting: Explore a vibrant island where humans and dinos coexist.
Befriend Dinosaurs: Earn trust and build bonds with friendly dinos to help you farm.
Personalized Ranch: Design your own unique farm with endless customization options.
Seasonal Farming: Grow crops throughout the year with the help of your dino pals.
Quirky Townsfolk: Meet eccentric locals, complete quests, and uncover hidden secrets.
Wild Exploration: Discover new areas, collect items, and interact with wild dinos.
Dino Journal: Track all the dinosaurs you discover on your island adventure.

17. Dinkum – Best survival farming sim

Dinkum is the ultimate survival life sim set in a wild, open-world island inspired by the rugged Australian outback. In this game, you’re not just surviving—you’re building, exploring, and thriving. Whether you’re farming, hunting, mining, fishing, or foraging, there’s always something to do as you gather resources to create your dream town. The changing seasons and dynamic weather keep things fresh, offering new challenges and opportunities with each day.

You’ll need to rely on your wits and your tools as you face everything the wild has to offer. From cute but dangerous creatures to vast, unexplored wildernesses, there’s always an adventure waiting. But it’s not all about survival. As your town grows, you’ll craft everything from furniture to decorations, turning your humble camp into a thriving, personalized community.

The best part? You’re never alone. Play solo or team up with friends to show off your town, work together, and watch it grow into a vibrant hub of activity.

Key Features:

Endless Exploration: Discover vast areas, from deserts to forests, filled with resources and wildlife.
Survival & Crafting: Hunt, fish, and gather resources to craft tools, furniture, and more.
Dynamic Seasons & Weather: Experience changing seasons that impact farming, fishing, and survival.
Personalized Town Building: Start with a campfire and grow into a thriving town with custom decorations.
Multiplayer Fun: Play solo or with friends to build, explore, and survive together.
Wildlife & Combat: Hunt or avoid dangerous animals using tools, traps, and strategies.
Festivals & Growth: Celebrate milestones as your town attracts new visitors and expands.

18. Echoes of the Plum Grove – Best for multi-generational play

Echoes of the Plum Grove is the cozy, yet adventurous farm sim you’ve been waiting for! Set sail to the charming island of Honeywood, where you inherit a modest plot of land. The beauty of this game isn’t just in farming—it’s in how your decisions ripple across generations. Whether you’re sowing crops, forging friendships, or exploring deep island mysteries, the choices you make will shape the future of Honeywood and your family tree.

In this heartfelt farming experience, every season brings new challenges. The looming winter is especially daunting, pushing you to prepare for survival. Work the land, gather resources, cook meals, and craft your way to safety as you navigate the cold months. But don’t get too comfortable—there are secrets to uncover, from mysterious witches to hidden caves. And when your original character’s time ends, the next generation steps in, keeping your legacy alive.

The vibrant, quirky residents of Honeywood each have their own stories to tell. The fun never stops—especially with seasonal celebrations, exciting festivals, and surprising twists around every corner.

Key Features:

Cozy Farming Life: Build and grow your farm from the ground up.
Seasonal Challenges: Prepare for the harsh winter or face the consequences.
Legacy System: Play as your descendants when your character passes.
Rich, Evolving Relationships: Befriend or challenge the residents of Honeywood
Mysterious Island: Explore hidden secrets and strange happenings across the island.
Festive Celebrations: Join in lively events throughout the year.

19. Sugardew Island – Best short farming sim

Sugardew Island is the ultimate cozy farming sim for those who crave a relaxing and unhurried gameplay experience. With no time pressure and a world brimming with charm, this indie gem invites you to run your own farm shop, tend to your animals, and restore life to a once-vibrant island.

You’ll dive into farming basics—growing crops, gathering resources, and caring for animals—but with a twist. Your ultimate goal? To fulfill small orders from the Harmony Tree, healing the island and bringing joy back to its adorable Forest Folk. Inspired by the classic Harvest Moon series, Sugardew Island offers around 15 hours of serene gameplay, perfect for short but sweet play sessions.

Customize your character, interact with quirky locals, and build lasting relationships. Whether you’re tending crops, negotiating prices with the Forest Folk, or upgrading your farm, there’s always something fun to do—without the grind.

Key Features:

Cozy Farming Sim: Tend to crops, animals, and resources in a relaxing, pressure-free setting.
Farm Shop Management: Sell your goods to the Forest Folk and haggle for the best prices.
Animal Companions: Feed, bond with, and care for animals like sheep and chickens.
Harmony Tree Quests: Fulfill tasks to heal the island and restore its life.
Character Customization: Create and personalize your perfect in-game persona.
Upgrade System: Enhance your farm, tools, and home to boost efficiency.
Relaxing Gameplay: Designed for short, enjoyable play sessions with no time limits.
Relationships & Romance: Befriend or even date the quirky island locals.
Resource Gathering: Collect wood, stones, and other resources to improve your farm.

20. Ova Magica – Best creature collection farming sim

Ova Magica brings a delightful mix of farming sim, monster taming, and RPG mechanics, offering a heartwarming yet adventurous experience set in the charming Clover Town. Drawing inspiration from beloved classics like Stardew Valley and Pokémon, this game invites players to raise cute, customizable blob creatures while tending to a vibrant farm. The gameplay thrives on seasonal variety, with each season introducing fresh crops, events, and blob interactions.

As you nurture your farm, you’ll also build connections with 13 unique characters, unlocking heartwarming storylines, exclusive items, and collaborative events to further enrich your experience. From bustling festivals to blob-powered expeditions, there’s always something new around the corner.

Ova Magica’s charming art style and easygoing pace make it accessible for players of all types—whether you’re a seasoned farming sim fan or just looking for a relaxing way to spend your time.

Key Features:

Farming and Crafting: Grow crops, raise fruit trees, and customize your farm with unique decorations.
Blob Collection: Collect, breed, and train blobs for everyday tasks or battles.
Seasonal Variety: Experience the changing seasons with new crops, blobs, and events.
Festivals: Celebrate through fun, seasonal festivals with exclusive items and mini-games.
Character Friendship: Befriend 13 characters, unlock heart events, and improve Clover Town together.
Blob Adventures: Explore the Blob Worlds to uncover treasures and rare blobs, facing wild challenges.
Crafting and Decorating: Gather resources to craft blueprints, upgrade your home, and personalize your farm.
Blob Battles: Engage in turn-based battles with your blobs, participating in tournaments to rise through the ranks.

21. Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin – Best for detailed rice farming

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a delightful blend of action, farming sim, and Japanese mythology, where you’ll discover that the true power of rice is far greater than just a food source. In this game, you play as Sakuna, a spoiled harvest goddess who’s been exiled from her celestial home to a demon-infested island. Armed with a warrior’s strength and the divine power of agriculture, Sakuna must battle monstrous foes and reclaim her rightful place as a goddess of harvest. Alongside her loyal guardian Tama and a ragtag group of human outcasts, she learns to tame the land—one rice crop at a time.

While you do technically do some farming in Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin, I struggle to call it a farming sim per se. The only crop you harvest is rice and there are no animals, farm customization, or romanceable characters. But it really is a special game.

Rather than focusing on point-and-click harvesting mechanics, the game has a series of controls for the different stages of planting—from planting, to watering (flooding and release), to harvesting, drying, soaking, and hulling. I honestly haven’t seen anything like it where it really teaches you the stages of farming a particular crop. I found it super interesting and I hope you do, too.

Developed by Edelweiss, the studio behind Astebreed, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin stands out with its seamless blend of side-scrolling combat and detailed farming mechanics. As you fight and farm, you’ll experience a journey of self-discovery and growth, both for Sakuna and the land she’s vowed to nurture.

Key Features

Action-Packed Combat: Harness farm tools as weapons and chain attacks to defeat demonic beasts.
Rice Cultivation: Master the art of rice farming from planting to harvest, with results directly impacting your combat abilities.
Crafting & Customization: Create powerful weapons, armor, and meals using materials gathered from the wilderness.
Rich Japanese Mythology: Experience a fresh take on traditional folklore, filled with unique gods, demons, and vibrant world-building.
Engaging Story: Follow Sakuna’s journey of growth, redemption, and community-building on a demon-infested island.

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is probably more of a cozy RPG than a “farming sim,” but the uber-detailed rice planting and harvesting is so cool that I love to suggest it to faming game lovers anyway.

BONUS: Farming Sims with Free Demos

I’m a big fan of free cozy game demos. You’ll see some repeats on this list and what’s above, but I wanted a place to call out every farming sim you can potentially try for free with a demo!

Alpine Lake: Build and decorate your inn to bring joy and prosperity to the community. Farm, cook, and entertain them in your own unique way!
Artisan Story: Tame monsters from the dungeon, tend to your fantasy farm, collect materials and craft recipes, and experience a carefree story rich fantasy life.
Cattails – Wildwood Story: Become a cat in this cozy life sim RPG. You’ll lead your colony into the mysterious Wildwood to hunt prey, harvest herbs, and collect magical treasures.
Cornucopia: A nostalgic 2.5D farm sim with 74 exotic crops, loyal pets bred for amazing genetics, and 34+ marriage candidates.
Critter Crops: Enter the world of Mutter Island as Sylvie, a newfound witch with the ability to grow magical Critters.
Delverium: Explore, Build, Farm, Craft and Fight in this survival sandbox adventure for up to 4 players. Delve deep to uncover the secret of the invading ‘Faults’ and restore stability to the land.
Everafter Falls: Farm, fish, forge and fight to restore the peace in an all-new farming adventure. Features split-screen coop, a helpful pet, and a card-eating progression system.
Fae Farm: Escape to the magical life of your dreams in Fae Farm, a farm sim RPG for 1-4 players. Craft, cultivate, and decorate to grow your homestead.
Gaucho and the Grassland: Enjoy the amazing experience of being a Gaucho, a latin cowboy, and take care of your own land.
Grimshire: Manage your farmland, forage the bounty of the wilds, prevent your harvest from rotting away and keep the root cellar full. Can you help bring the community together and survive?
Harvest Island: Living with your family on a remote island, you discover a sinister purpose of your existence. Question everything and fake your blissful farming days.
Little-Known Galaxy: Little-Known Galaxy is a cozy single-player RPG space adventure full of friendly characters, exploration, crafting, and farming.
Moonlight Peaks: Master the art of potions and spells, manage your supernatural farm, and leave your mark on the magical town.
Paleo Pines: Befriend dinos and enlist their help to fix up your ranch and farm crops to create your cozy dino sanctuary.
Ritual of Raven: Ritual of Raven is a story-based farming sim. Enchant Arcana Constructs to grow a magical herb garden, befriend a cute bunch of weirdos, and use your witchy skills.
Sugardew Island: Take care of your animals and your farm, sell your goods to the cute Forest Folk, upgrade the island and fulfill small orders from the Harmony Tree.
Sunrise’s Order: A farm simulation game in which the player is alone on an island, and seeks to become an accomplished small farmer.
Wanderstop: From the creator of The Stanley Parable and The Beginner’s Guide comes Wanderstop, a narrative-centric cozy game about change and tea.
Wylde Flowers: Join Tara on a heartfelt journey to become a witch in Wylde Flowers. Farm by day, and cast spells by night as you craft your cottagecore life and bond with your coven.

Farm Away!

These are my picks for the best farming sims on Steam, but there are plenty of others available. Keep an eye out here for more recommendations, lists, and reviews for farming sims and cozy games in general. I have more content coming weekly!

Stay cozy, gamers!