PPG Game Of The Year 2024 - 29 - Sent To The Farm(ing Sim) Up State
It's still wild to me that a single game in Stardew Valley can not only reinvigorate an entire genre, but recreate an entire path for all sorts of new people to come in and enjoy this wonderful world of gaming we so enjoy. Farming sims have branched out into many niche slices to try and stand out, but I don't know if I've seen as much breadth in options as the ones released in 2024.
Immortal Life
Wuxia Farm Sim
A farming sim based on Chinese Wuxia mythology. Systems range from combat to farming, crafting and cooking, with an overall focus on rebuilding your sect.
Lightyear Frontier (EA)
Get In The Mech, Farmer
Peaceful open world farming focused game where you are exploring an alien world and building your own settlement, mostly using your trusty mech suit to accomplish your goals alone or with friends.
Oriental Valley
East Asian Small Town Vibe
While you've got your expected farming, exploring and even a bit of combat in the mix, the setting, solid 3D art/animation and immersion of yourself into the small Asian town lifestyle sets this one apart from the rest.
Echoes of the Plum Grove
Cozy Community Builder
3D world with 2D art. Build up a community of folks that will be around for generations to come. Setting is early American frontier, so everything is a lot more manual - no sprinklers, electricity and such.
Little-Known Galaxy
Cozy Space Adventure
A "cozy single-player RPG space adventure full of friendly characters, exploration, crafting, and farming." Cute and cozy pixel art and animation.
SunnySide
Modern Farm Sim
A more modern take on the farm sim genre with more realistically proportioned characters who have smart phones. The addition of building up the farmstead and connecting with the locals is icing on the cake.
Everafter Falls
Run Of The Mill Farming+
Whimsical exactly-what-you-expect farm sim with farming, fishing, dungeon delving with combat, but then with some extras like automation and a heavy dose of RNG.
Farlands (EA)
Inhabit A Space Rock
Turn an entire space rock planet into a cozy farm with plenty of crafting and exploration to keep you busy. Still fairly bare bones, but plenty to come on the roadmap to 1.0.
Song of the Prarie
3D Classic Farming
All the hallmarks of this genre are here, with the differentiating factor being the animations, albeit with a bit of clunk to it's gameplay.
Luma Island
Chill Life Sim
An RPG-like chill adventure about building up your own little cottage, exploring an island, mastering different relaxing professions such as fishing, farming or cooking. Team up with friends or fly solo.
And The Best Farming Sim Game Of 2024 Is…
Fields of Mistria (EA)
Magical Girl Farm Sim
Of the hundreds of farm sims that have graced our presence in the last 8 or so years, the one that finally matches or might even outdo Stardew Valley is here. With a neat magical twist and gorgeous anime pixel work, the coziest of life sims already smashes it despite only being in early access. Definitely not one to miss.