17 Best Games Like Harvest Moon

Farming games have been around for a while, but there’s one game that stands out from the rest – Harvest Moon. First released in 1996, it became an instant hit among gamers due to its unique gameplay, which combined farming simulation with role-playing elements. Since then, the game has evolved into a franchise, with various sequels and spin-offs released over the years.

But as time has passed, more games have emerged with similar gameplay mechanics, providing an opportunity for gamers to experience a different take on the classic Harvest Moon formula. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best games like Harvest Moon, as well as some farming games for PC like Harvest Moon.

1. Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is one of the most popular farming simulation games out there, and for good reason. Developed by ConcernedApe and released in 2016, the game has captured the hearts of gamers all over the world with its charming aesthetic, relaxing gameplay, and deep mechanics.

In Stardew Valley, you play as a character who inherits a run-down farm from their grandfather. Your goal is to restore the farm to its former glory by planting crops, raising animals, and building structures. As you progress, you’ll unlock new areas to explore, encounter a variety of characters with their own unique stories and personalities, and uncover secrets about the game’s lore.

One of the standout features of Stardew Valley is its deep crafting system. Players can create a wide variety of items using resources they’ve collected, from simple tools and weapons to more complex structures like barns and coops. Crafting is essential for progressing through the game, as it allows players to improve their farm, earn more money, and unlock new areas.

Stardew Valley also has a relationship-building element, where players can interact with the game’s characters and build friendships, romantic relationships, or even start a family. Each character has their own unique personality and backstory, and the game’s writing is top-notch, making it easy to become invested in the lives of the people you meet in the game.

Another great aspect of Stardew Valley is its modding community. Players have created a variety of mods that add new features to the game, from new crops and animals to additional areas to explore and even new gameplay mechanics. This makes the game infinitely replayable, as there’s always something new to discover.

2. Forager

Forager is a farming and resource management game developed by HopFrog and released in 2019. While it shares some similarities with Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley, Forager has its own unique gameplay mechanics that set it apart from other games in the genre.

In Forager, players start with a small island that they must develop and expand as you gather resources, crafting sites, and building structures. As players progress, they can unlock new islands to explore, encounter new enemies and bosses, and discover ancient ruins that hold powerful artifacts.

One of the key features of Forager is its fast-paced gameplay. Unlike other farming simulation games that encourage a more relaxed playstyle, Forager’s gameplay is designed to be quick and action-packed. Players must manage their resources carefully, as they’ll need to craft weapons and tools to defend themselves against the game’s enemies and bosses.

Forager also has a deep crafting system, with hundreds of items that players can craft using resources they’ve gathered. From simple tools and weapons to more complex structures like factories and refineries, players have a lot of freedom to create their own unique playstyle and strategy.

Another unique aspect of Forager is its leveling system. As players gather resources and defeat enemies, they’ll earn experience points that they can use to level up and unlock new skills and abilities. These skills range from simple upgrades like increased movement speed and faster resource gathering to more complex abilities like teleportation and the ability to craft powerful artifacts.

Overall, Forager is a fun and addictive game that’s perfect for anyone who loves resource management and crafting games. Its fast-paced gameplay, deep mechanics, and unique leveling system make it a game that’s easy to sink hours into. If you’re looking for a fresh take on the farming simulation genre, Forager is definitely worth checking out.

3. Voodoo Garden

Voodoo Garden is a casual game developed by M. Hanka and released in 2016. Unlike other Harvest Moon type games that focus on managing a large farm, Voodoo Garden has a more laid-back and relaxed gameplay style that’s perfect for players who just want to unwind and enjoy a low-pressure gaming experience.

In Voodoo Garden, players take on the role of a witch doctor who must grow and harvest a variety of exotic plants in order to craft potions and other magical items. The game’s mechanics are simple and intuitive, with players planting seeds, watering their plants, and harvesting them once they’re fully grown.

As players progress, they’ll unlock new plants to grow and new recipes to craft, each with their own unique properties and effects. Some plants might have healing properties, while others might be poisonous or have other strange effects.

One of the standout features of Voodoo Garden is its charming aesthetic. The game’s graphics are colorful and whimsical, with hand-drawn characters and environments that give the game a unique and appealing visual style.

Another great aspect of Voodoo Garden is its replayability. While the game’s mechanics are simple, there’s a surprising amount of depth to the game’s crafting system. Players can experiment with different combinations of plants and potions, trying out new recipes and discovering new effects and properties.

Overall, Voodoo Garden is a fun and relaxing game that’s perfect for players who just want to sit back and enjoy a low-pressure gaming experience. Its charming aesthetic, simple mechanics, and deep crafting system make it a game that’s easy to sink hours into. If you’re looking for a casual game with a unique twist, Voodoo Garden is definitely worth checking out.

4. Fantasy Farming: Orange Season

Fantasy Farming: Orange Season is a relatively new game that’s worth checking out. Developed by Tropical Puppy and released in 2021, the game has a charming aesthetic and puts you in the role of a character who inherits a farm in a magical world.

5. Plantera

Plantera is another casual game that’s worth playing if you like Harvest Moon. Developed by VaragtP Studios and released in 2016, the game has a simple premise – you must grow your farm and protect it from critters who want to steal your crops.

6. Kynseed

Kynseed one of the latest farm simulation games like Harvest Moon that’s currently in Early Access on Steam. Developed by PixelCount Studios, the game has a unique art style and puts you in the role of a character who must manage a family farm while exploring a vast open world.

7. Terraria

Terraria is not strictly a farming game, but it has features similar to Harvest Moon elements in terms of its sandbox-style gameplay. Developed by Re-Logic and released in 2011, the game has received critical acclaim for its addictive gameplay, pixel art style, and deep crafting system.

8. Wayward

Wayward is another survival game that’s worth checking out if you’re a fan of Harvest Moon. Developed by Unlok and released in 2019, the game has a retro aesthetic and puts you in the role of a character who must survive on a deserted island.

9. Moonlighter

Moonlighter is a unique take on the classic farming simulation genre. Developed by Digital Sun and released in 2018, the game has a charming pixel art style and puts you in the role of a shopkeeper who must manage their shop during the day and explore dangerous dungeons at night.

10. My Time at Portia

My Time at Portia is another farming game that’s worth playing. Developed by Pathea Games and released in 2019, the game has a colorful aesthetic and puts you in the role of a character who must rebuild their father’s workshop while exploring the town of Portia and interacting with its residents. The game features a deep crafting system, combat mechanics, and relationship-building elements that will keep you engaged for hours.

11. Dinkum

Dinkum is an upcoming farming game that’s currently in development. Developed by No Moss Studios, the game has a unique art style and puts you in the role of a character who must manage a farm in a post-apocalyptic world. The game promises to have a deep crafting system, combat mechanics, and a vast open world to explore.

12. Sapiens

Sapiens is another upcoming farming game that’s worth keeping an eye on. Developed by Studio Wildcard, the game has a realistic art style and puts you in the role of a character who must survive and thrive in a prehistoric world. The game promises to have a deep crafting system, survival mechanics, and a realistic ecosystem that will change over time.

13. Keplerth

Keplerth is a unique farming game that combines elements of survival, exploration, and crafting. Developed by Tarhead Studio and released in 2020, the game puts you in the role of a character who must survive on an alien planet while building a base and harvesting resources.

14. Farming Simulator 22

Farming Simulator 22 is the latest entry in the popular farming simulation franchise. Developed by Giants Software and released in 2021, the game has updated graphics, new crops and equipment, and improved gameplay elements. The game is perfect for those who want a realistic farming experience.

15. Valheim

Valheim is not strictly a farming game, but it shares similarities with Harvest Moon in terms of its survival and crafting mechanics. Developed by Iron Gate AB and released in 2021, the game has a unique art style and puts you in the role of a Viking who must survive in a dangerous world while building a base and exploring the wilderness.

16. Yonder: The Cloudcatcher Chronicles

Yonder: The Cloudcatcher Chronicles is another farm simulation game that Harvest Moon fans should consider playing. Developed by Prideful Sloth and released in 2017, the game has a beautiful art style and puts you in the role of a character who must explore the world of Gemea and help its inhabitants. The game features a deep crafting system, relationship-building elements, and a vast open world to explore.

17. Staxel

Staxel is a great game that combines elements of Minecraft and Harvest Moon. Developed by Plukit and released in 2019, the game has a voxel art style and puts you in the role of a character who must manage a farm while building relationships with the town’s residents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What replaced Harvest Moon?

Harvest Moon is still a popular franchise and continues to release new games. However, in recent years, there have been a number of farming simulation games that have gained popularity and drawn comparisons to the Harvest Moon series.

One of the most popular of these games is Stardew Valley, which was developed by a single developer, ConcernedApe, and released in 2016. Stardew Valley offers similar gameplay mechanics to Harvest Moon. However, it also includes elements of dungeon crawling and combat, as well as a wider range of customization options for the player’s character and farm.

Other games that have been compared to Harvest Moon include Forager, Fantasy Farming: Orange Season, Plantera, Kynseed, Terraria, Wayward, Moonlighter, My Time at Portia, Dinkum, Sapiens, Keplerth, Farming Simulator 22, Valheim, Yonder: The Cloudcatcher Chronicles, and Staxel. These games all offer their own unique takes on the farming simulation genre, but each one draws inspiration from the Harvest Moon series in one way or another.

What game has a lot of farming?

There are several games that focus heavily on farming as their main gameplay mechanic. Some of the most popular games like Harvest Moon with a lot of farming include:

1. Stardew Valley

This game is all about farming. Players plant and harvest crops, raise animals, and sell their goods to make a profit. The game also features fishing, foraging, and mining mechanics.

2. Farming Simulator 22

As the name suggests, this game is a realistic farming simulator that allows players to manage and grow their own farm. The game features a wide range of farming equipment, from tractors and plows to harvesters and seeders.

3. My Time at Portia

While not strictly a farming game, My Time at Portia does feature a lot of farming mechanics. Players can grow crops, raise animals, and even fish and mine for resources.

4. Fantasy Farming: Orange Season

This game is a more traditional farming simulator with RPG elements. Players can plant and harvest crops, raise animals, and explore a vast open world filled with dungeons and enemies.

5. Yonder: The Cloudcatcher Chronicles

This game has a focus on exploration and crafting. However, it also features a lot of farming mechanics. Players can plant and harvest crops, raise animals, and even run their own farm.

All of these games offer a lot of farming content and allow players to immerse themselves in the world of agriculture. Whether you prefer a more realistic farming simulator or a game with RPG elements, there’s a farming game out there for everyone.

Why is it no longer called Harvest Moon?

While the Harvest Moon series continues to release new games, there have been some changes to the naming conventions used in recent years. The reason for this is due to a licensing agreement between the original developer of Harvest Moon, Natsume, and the current developer and publisher of the series, Marvelous.

In 2014, Marvelous began developing and publishing their own farming simsunder the name “Story of Seasons” in Japan, while Natsume continued to develop and publish games under the “Harvest Moon” name in North America. However, in 2015, Natsume announced that they would be developing and publishing their own original farming simulation game, “Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley,” without the involvement of Marvelous.

Why is Harvest Moon so big?

Harvest Moon has become a popular franchise over the years due to its unique gameplay mechanics, cute graphics and charming, pastoral setting. The adventure game allows players to experience the life of a farmer, managing their own farm, raising animals, and cultivating crops.

One of the main reasons for the franchise’s success is its accessibility. Harvest Moon is easy to learn and play, making it an appealing choice for both casual and hardcore gamers. The game’s mechanics are also satisfying and rewarding, allowing players to see the fruits of their labor as they grow their farm and make progress towards their goals.

Another key factor in the franchise’s popularity is its sense of community. Many of the games in the series allow players to interact with other characters in the game world, including fellow farmers, townspeople, and potential romantic interests. These relationships can be developed over time, adding an additional layer of depth and complexity to the gameplay experience.

Finally, the Harvest Moon franchise has continued to evolve over time, adding new features and mechanics to keep the series fresh and engaging. This has helped to maintain the franchise’s popularity over the years, as fans continue to enjoy new additions to the series while still appreciating the classic gameplay that made it so popular in the first place.

What is the most realistic farm game?

Farming Simulator 22 is often considered the most realistic farm game currently available. Developed by Giants Software, the game is a highly-detailed game that provides players with a realistic and immersive farming experience.

Farming Simulator 22 allows players to manage and grow their own farm, with a wide range of farming equipment and machinery available to use. The game features a realistic physics engine that accurately simulates the behavior of vehicles and equipment, as well as dynamic weather and seasonal effects that can impact crop growth and harvesting.

The game also features a range of realistic farming tasks, including planting and harvesting crops, caring for livestock, and managing finances. Players must balance their budget to ensure that they can afford to buy new equipment and hire workers, while also maintaining their farm and making a profit.

Farming Simulator 22 also includes a multiplayer mode that allows players to work together to manage a farm, making the experience even more realistic and immersive. Overall, the game is an excellent choice for players who want a highly realistic and immersive farming experience.

Is Story of Seasons better than Harvest Moon?

Story of Seasons is often considered to be better than Harvest Moon by many fans of the farming simulation genre. This is because Story of Seasons is developed by the original creators of Harvest Moon and carries on the same gameplay mechanics and charm of the early Harvest Moon games, while newer Harvest Moon games have been developed by different companies and have deviated from the original formula.

Story of Seasons also offers more content and features than many of the newer Harvest Moon games, including more customization options, more diverse crops and animals, and a greater variety of events and festivals. The game also features a more robust relationship system, allowing players to form deeper connections with the characters in the game world.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, there are many games available for players who enjoy the farming simulation genre. From classic and favorite farming games like Harvest Moon and Story of Seasons to newer games like Stardew Valley, Forager, and Voodoo Garden, there are options for players of all skill levels and preferences. For those who want a highly realistic farming experience, Farming Simulator 22 is the top choice.

Whether you are looking for a relaxing and meditative experience or a more challenging and immersive game, there is a farming simulation game out there that will suit your needs. With the ongoing popularity of this genre, it is clear that the appeal of the simple pleasures of farm life continue to resonate with gamers around the world.