Farming Sims on PlayStation? Yes, please!
Maybe you noticed by the fact that I’m geeking on main about the remaster of a 2014 PS Vita title, but: I’m a PlayStation girlie through and through.
PlayStation 2 was the first console I bought and paid for with my own money (with paychecks from the local, small town Tim Horton’s). I stayed up late playing Parasite Eve and scaring myself silly, even though I had school the next morning. I bought all the necessary hardware doodads so my cousins and I could connect 4 controllers at once and play Ratchet: Up Your Arsenal.
In true cozy gamer fashion, I also bought and played Harvest Moon: Back To Nature, Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland, and Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life. Farming sims are so entwined with Nintendo Switch and Steam/Steam Deck these days. But there are a ton of great cozy farming games for PlayStation available if you dig around a bit.
What Counts as a Farming Sim?
A farming sim is any game that focuses on the management and operation of a farm, allowing you to engage in activities like planting crops, raising animals, and managing resources.
Players typically control the daily tasks of farming, including tilling soil, harvesting, breeding livestock, and sometimes selling produce to expand their farm. Farming sims emphasize a blend of time management and community-building elements. Some will offer additional mechanics, like combat, romance, customization, or exploration.
The Best Farming Sim Games for PlayStation 4/5
Here are some cozy farming PS4 and PS5 games to choose from:
1. Stardew Valley
🏅Cozy Game Reviews recommends
Stardew Valley is a beloved farming sim that transports players to a quaint countryside where they’re free to tend crops, raise animals, and rebuild the abandoned farm left behind by their grandfather. This game is all about the rhythm of the seasons; you’ll plant in spring, reap the rewards in fall, and bunker down for a quiet winter by the fire. But beneath its charming pixel art lies a world rich with secrets—mysterious caves, festivals, and a quirky cast of characters each with their own stories. It’s more than just farming; it’s about connecting to the world around you and feeling like you’re part of a living, breathing town.
With endless opportunities to shape your farm, pursue friendships, and even marry, Stardew Valley becomes a personal journey. Whether you’re fishing by the shore, delving deep into the mines for rare minerals, or wooing a villager with gifts, it’s easy to lose track of time in this digital sanctuary. Its blend of nostalgia with modern touches makes it as much a life simulation as it is a farming game—perfect for those who want a cozy yet endlessly engaging experience.
2. Rune Factory 4 Special
🏅Cozy Game Reviews recommends
Rune Factory 4 Special fuses the peacefulness of farming with the thrill of RPG combat. Here, you’re not just plowing fields but also battling monsters and forging epic weapons. Set in a vibrant world filled with magic and adventure, you play as an amnesiac hero tasked with rebuilding a town while juggling the usual farming duties. The game lets you grow crops by day and dive into dungeons by night, seamlessly blending both genres in a way that feels rewarding.
What sets Rune Factory apart is its dynamic relationships. You can befriend townsfolk, date them, and even get married—all while growing mystical crops and fighting alongside tamed monsters. The storytelling is as much a part of the game as the farming, and its lighthearted fantasy setting is filled with humor, quirky characters, and plot twists that will keep you engaged far beyond your standard crop rotation.
3. Coral Island
🏅Cozy Game Reviews recommends
Coral Island is a bright and eco-conscious twist on the farming sim genre. Set on a tropical island, the game encourages you to care for both your farm and the surrounding environment. You’ll dive beneath the waves to clean up the oceans, restore coral reefs, and create a thriving ecosystem for marine life, all while maintaining a cozy farm with a delightful range of crops and animals. The vibrant art style and lively community of characters make it feel like an animated tropical paradise.
Beyond farming, Coral Island’s focus on sustainability adds depth to the gameplay, presenting environmental challenges such as pollution and deforestation that you’ll need to solve. It’s more than just tending to your plot of land—it’s about nurturing the world around you. The game’s serene island life and ecological themes make it feel both relaxing and meaningful, offering a sunny escape where you can still feel like you’re making a positive impact.
4. Harvestella
🏅Cozy Game Reviews recommends
Harvestella blends the farming genre with a darker, more fantastical tone. Here, farming is not just a way to live but a means of survival in a world plagued by a mysterious event known as Quietus—the season of death. As you cultivate your farm, you’ll also uncover the secrets behind this deadly phenomenon, battling monsters and forging alliances in an effort to protect your world. The blend of farming and RPG mechanics creates a unique experience, where tending your crops can feel just as critical as preparing for an epic boss fight.
The game takes players on a narrative-driven journey, with rich world-building and complex characters who add layers of intrigue to the storyline. The beautifully crafted environments range from serene villages to ominous dungeons, offering a variety of atmospheres to explore. Whether you’re focused on unraveling the mysteries of Quietus or just trying to grow the perfect carrot, Harvestella offers a blend of urgency and serenity that keeps you coming back for more.
5. Harvest Moon: One World
Harvest Moon: One World takes the series’ classic farming formula and expands it across a globe-trotting adventure. Instead of being confined to a single plot of land, you’re tasked with traveling across multiple biomes—deserts, snowy mountains, and beaches—each offering unique crops and challenges. This adds a refreshing layer of exploration to the familiar routines of planting and harvesting. As you journey through these varied environments, you’ll meet different cultures and unlock ancient seeds, gradually restoring the world’s lost agriculture.
While the game sticks to the simpler roots of the franchise, it’s that sense of discovery that makes One World stand out. The environments are vibrant, the characters you meet have charming stories, and the global scope makes it feel like you’re farming for the survival of all life on the planet. For those looking for a fresh twist on the classic Harvest Moon experience, this game provides both nostalgia and innovation.
6. Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos
The Winds of Anthos revitalizes the Harvest Moon formula with a world rich in history and mythology. Set in a land ravaged by natural disasters, you’re tasked with not just farming, but healing the lands and reconnecting divided towns. Each area you explore offers distinct cultures and ecosystems, from wind-swept plains to lush forests, which means you’ll need to adapt your farming methods as you move. This constant variety keeps gameplay fresh while imbuing a sense of purpose behind every crop you plant and every town you help rebuild.
Beyond its narrative depth, Winds of Anthos offers a host of engaging activities. Animal husbandry, fishing, foraging, and even crafting come together in a harmonious balance, all while forging meaningful relationships with the residents. It’s a heartfelt journey of restoration—both for the land and its people—and you’ll find yourself invested in the world as you work to bring harmony back to it.
Read my full Harvest Moon: Winds of Anthos review.
7. Harvest Moon: Light of Hope
Harvest Moon: Light of Hope feels like a return to basics with a narrative twist. After your shipwreck, you wash ashore in a neglected town, and it’s your job to bring it back to life—both in spirit and in agriculture. The game focuses heavily on community-building, making your role as a farmer more pivotal than ever. You’re not just growing crops for profit; you’re feeding the people, restoring buildings, and bringing hope back to a village that’s lost its way.
While simpler in its mechanics compared to other farming sims, Light of Hope shines in its heartwarming storytelling and straightforward gameplay. It’s perfect for players who want a more laid-back, traditional experience without the complexity of newer entries. The combination of rebuilding the town and nurturing your crops is satisfying, creating a sense of progression that’s deeply tied to the emotional journey of restoring both the town and its spirit.
8. Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life
Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life is a nostalgic journey for fans of the original Harvest Moon series. This remake of the GameCube classic brings back the timeless charm of farming in the valley, where you not only grow crops but also raise a family and watch the years pass. The game beautifully captures the cycle of life, with each season bringing new challenges and joys, from planting crops in spring to watching your children grow in later years. There’s a deep, emotional undertone to the game, as your decisions shape not just your farm but also the lives of those around you.
The focus on relationships and family adds a layer of depth rarely seen in farming sims. You’ll forge bonds with townsfolk, marry, and even witness the evolution of the town over time. It’s a game that rewards patience and care, where every small act—be it tending to your animals or helping a neighbor—feels like it has lasting significance. A Wonderful Life is more than a farming game; it’s a reflection on the passage of time and the beauty of living a simple, fulfilling life.
Read my full Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life review.
9. Farm Together
Farm Together embraces a social and cooperative approach to farming, making it an ideal choice for those who love building something great alongside friends. It’s a vibrant and cheerful world where you can create massive farms with ease, thanks to its simple, intuitive mechanics. The real-time growth of crops means that your farm continues to evolve even when you’re offline, giving a satisfying sense of progress each time you log back in. It’s a game that invites you to design your farm exactly how you want, with endless customization options and no stress of running out of time.
What sets this game apart is its multiplayer aspect, allowing friends to jump in and out of your world, helping you grow crops, raise animals, and even decorate your farm. Whether you’re working together or visiting each other’s farms, the communal aspect adds a layer of fun and creativity. It’s a laid-back, feel-good farming experience that’s perfect for casual players or anyone who wants to share their farming dreams with others.
10. Everdream Valley
Everdream Valley captures the magic of a child’s imagination, blending farming with whimsical adventure. Here, you’re not just managing crops and animals; you’re embarking on fantastical quests that make the farm feel like a playground of possibilities. The game combines farming mechanics with elements of exploration, letting you uncover hidden secrets, craft unique tools, and interact with the world in creative ways. Each night, dreams take you on magical adventures, adding an unexpected twist to the daily routine.
The charming art style and lighthearted tone make it a joy to explore every corner of Everdream Valley. It’s a game where you’ll find yourself lost in the wonder of discovery, whether it’s finding a hidden treasure in the woods or caring for a mystical animal. The blend of farming and adventure makes it feel like a fairy tale come to life, offering a fresh and enchanting experience for players of all ages.
11. Farming Simulator 25 [coming soon]
Farming Simulator 25 is the pinnacle of realism in the farming sim genre. This game puts you in the boots of a modern-day farmer, offering an authentic, down-to-the-detail experience of running a real farm. From managing heavy machinery to optimizing crop yields, the game is a technical marvel. You’ll be driving tractors, harvesting massive fields, and running a business with a complex economy, all while managing your land over changing seasons. The attention to detail is unmatched, making every task—from sowing to harvesting—feel deeply immersive and true to life.
The sheer scale and depth of Farming Simulator 25 can be overwhelming but incredibly rewarding for those who enjoy meticulous planning and management. Whether you’re cultivating crops, raising livestock, or expanding your farming empire with cutting-edge technology, this game is for players who crave precision and the satisfaction of running a successful agricultural business. It’s not just a game—it’s a full-blown farming career that offers both challenge and fulfillment.
Conclusion
Sick of farming? Never fear! I’ve also made a more holistic list of cozy games on PlayStation that includes puzzle games, visual novels, exploration epics, life sims, and business management. Be sure to check it out and let me know what PlayStation articles you want me to write next. Because I am on a PlayStation kick, baby, and I’m raring to go!
If you’re sick of PlayStation content, please don’t talk to me anymore. (But you can also check out my recommendations for Steam farming games.)
Stay cozy, gamers!