Farming simulators have been here for a long time now, gracing us with the peaceful joys of planting seeds and harvesting fruits and crops, all without the hassle of digging dirt and getting caught in the rain. The unique gameplay is not for everyone, but those who enjoy simulated farming games are sure to be happy with how many exist today. That said, here’s our ranking of the 15 best farming simulator games for the PC.
Some of these are hardcore farming sims, while some feature farming as an important element in a rather larger universe.
Best farming simulator games on PC
15. Farmer’s Dynasty
Image via UMEO Studios
This RPG/farming sim hybrid lets you play as a city-dweller who goes home to the family farm after a long period of time. Upon getting there, however, you need to rebuild the farm first before you can use it. You’ll also need to work on your character and your relationships with others. While the story isn’t that good, it’s a complete farming experience you should enjoy.
14. Garden Paws
Image via Bitten Toast Games Inc.
As the name implies, you play as an adorable animal who inherits a farm. You’ll find a lot of things to do in this cute game: building your own house, crafting things, running your own shop, and so on. Plus, you can share the enjoyable experience with friends via the multiplayer mode.
13. Staxel
Image via Plukit
Staxel is what happens when Minecraft wants to become a full-fledged farming sim instead of an adventure sandbox. You create and maintain your own farm, complete with a variety of crops and farm animals. You can also interact with local villagers and take on quests on the side.
12. Slime Rancher
Image via Monomi Park
Slime Rancher is a unique game that combines elements from different genres. You play as a rancher who starts a ranch on another planet. You manage crops while catching Slimes to breed and care for. Then, you make money by selling their byproducts. All of this happens while facing threats from more hostile Slimes.
11. Kynseed
Image via PixelCount Studios
Developed by the same people behind Lionhead’s Fable series, Kynseed features more than just the usual farming and socializing activities you’d expect from a farming sim. Here, you grow businesses, develop relationships, and create a lasting legacy by passing down skills to your children and their children. Your farming skills will also be of help to the townspeople.
10. Farming Simulator 22
Image via Giants Software
Those looking for a serious and realistic farming sim need not look further than the Farming Simulator series of games. These games have players managing farms, growing and harvesting crops, and also raising farm animals. Players can earn a profit by selling what their farm produces. The series has seen many releases, each one improved over its predecessor.
9. Story Of Seasons: Friends Of Mineral Town
Image via Marvelous Inc.
This is basically a 3D remake of a 2003 title in the Harvest Moon series, which was later rebranded as Story of Seasons. It features the same premise as that of the 2D original, where you manage your farm while developing relationships with the people around you. Fans of the original game will want to see this title.
8. Farm Together
Image via Milkstone Studios
As the name implies, Farm Together lets you manage your farm by yourself or with friends. This game is highly detailed and uses a system that takes note of the time that passes by. You can cultivate crops, raise animals, and expand your farm to accommodate more crops. You can also build structures as the game progresses.
7. Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town
Image via Marvelous Inc.
Pioneers Of Olive Town is one of the latest entries in the Story of Seasons games. Here, you tend to your grandpa’s old farm to cultivate crops, raise animals, and so on. You can also develop romantic relationships, marry, and start a family of your own.
6. Sakuna: Of Rice And Ruin
Image via Edelweiss
Sakuna: Of Rice And Ruin combines farming and hack-and-slash gameplay to create a game that’s both relaxing and exciting at the same time. But unlike most farming games, this one will have you paying attention to finer details like the amount of water you put in the rice, and what kind of fertilizer you are using. This is because your produce will ultimately affect how your character fights in the game.
5. Terraria
Image via Re-Logic
Like Minecraft, Terraria is a creative game that will have you building things and structures, but in 2D. It’s also an adventure game that has you traveling in a vast, open world. But whether you go on a journey or stay in one place is up to you — you can create your own farm and cultivate your own crops either way.
4. Littlewood
Image via Sean Young
This colorful RPG explores the idea of life after a villain rampages through town but gets defeated by a hero. Here, you rebuild that town by farming, crafting, and helping the townspeople with whatever task they have. It features adorable graphics, lovable characters, and lots of things to do for hours.
3. Minecraft
Image via Mojang
As already mentioned above, Minecraft has a farming aspect that adds to the overall game experience. While this sandbox is primarily an adventure survival game, it will require you to learn how to build your own farms, cultivate crops, and harvest them so that you’ll have food for your journeys.
2. My Time At Portia
Image via Pathea Games
My Time At Portia has you working on restoring your father’s old workshop while growing crops, raising animals, and helping the people around the titular town of Portia. You can also take part in festivals, explore mines, and even pursue romantic relationships with the locals.
1. Stardew Valley
Image via ConcernedApe
This indie hit is the best farming sim you can play on practically any platform, especially the PC. Not only will you be farming and raising animals in Stardew Valley, but you’ll also build relationships while helping to rebuild a nearby town through quests. It features charming visuals that will be etched in your memory for a long time.
And there you have it — that’s our list of the 15 best farming simulators on PC. We know that there are other farming sims out there, and all of them are good in their own way. But if you ask us, here are the farming sims we recommend.
