Even if you didn’t grow up playing Harvest Moon or other agricultural simulation RPGs, there are a slew of compelling reasons to give them a try. For starters, there’s something appealing about being able to daydream about a simpler existence in which your ambitions are less significant than achieving a good grade or getting a promotion at work. This is presumably why the Harvest Moon games have spawned a slew of similar games where you may spend your time tending to crops, harvesting fruits, caring for cattle, and generally taking care of a farm. (Best Harvest Moon Alternatives)
Top 15 Best Harvest Moon Alternatives in 2021
We’ve compiled the best of them to provide you with a comprehensive list of games that immerse you in a variety of scenarios ranging from a basic agrarian existence to managing a farm while avoiding zombies, to living in a hut in a swamp where you’ll need to summon helper spirits, and much more. So, without further ado, here’s the list of farming simulation games you’ve been looking for.
The majority of these simulator games are available on Steam, however, there are several that are available on other platforms, such as Nintendo consoles. The list below will give you a short overview of all of the games featured in this collection. You can obtain an idea of what they have to offer by clicking on any of them.
1. Stardew Valley
Eric Barone, like you and me, was a huge Harvest Moon fan, and one day he just decided to make a modern version of the game that addressed some of his complaints about the old games. Stardew Valley was born after four years of hard effort and went on to make history by selling over a million copies in just two months. It is one of the Best Harvest Moon Alternatives.
2. Summer in Mara
You won’t want to miss out on this Harvest Moon alternative. Summer in Mara is defined by its stunning 3D aesthetics, which are significantly distinct from other comparable games on this list. It is described by its creators as “a summer adventure with farming, crafting, and exploration mechanics set in a tropical archipelago.”
3. Plantera
We also have something for you if you’re looking for browser games that are comparable to Harvest Moon. Plantera is free to play in a browser and fairly inexpensive to play on other platforms like the Wii U and 3DS, yet there is no Nintendo DS version available. Plantera is more of a gardening game than a farming game, which offers it a unique twist.
4. Ooblets
Ooblets is a game unlike any other. Don’t get us wrong: it’s still deserving of a spot on this list, but there are lots of additional factors that set it apart from the others. The fact that it has Pokémon-style creature collecting and battle mechanics, in addition to all of the farm modeling elements, is one of the most appealing features.
5. Voodoo Garden
Here’s a farming simulator with some bizarre aesthetics that will capture your interest right away. This game has a distinct visual personality according to developer M. Hanka. It has all of the gameplay aspects of a traditional farming simulator, including the ability to plant trees, bushes, and herbs in order to generate a variety of fruits, leaves, mushrooms, and other items.
6. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
There’s a lot more to Animal Crossing: New Horizons than just farming. It’s a life simulation game in which you play as a customizable character who has recently relocated to a deserted island. It’s only available on the Nintendo Switch, and it’s an open-ended adventure as you explore the island and grow the community of anthropomorphic animals. Different items that can be utilized as decorations abound on the island.
7. Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a new addition to this list of Harvest Moon-like games. The fact that this game blends farming simulation features with straight-up hack and slash platforming makes it stand out. And the result is an outstanding blend that’s difficult not to fall in love with. It is amongst the Best Harvest Moon Alternatives.
8. Kynseed
If you’re a PC gamer seeking Harvest Moon-style games on Steam, Kynseed is an excellent pick. Kynseed is a game that combines a life simulator with RPG and farming aspects. It revolves around the mysterious Kynseed, which may be used to pass down your talents and powers to your kin and develop your family heritage through centuries.
9. Moonlighter
Moonlighter is another Harvest Moon spin-off that blends two genres. It’s basically an RPG with some business simulation aspects thrown in for good measure. During the day, you can operate your shop, and at night, you can go dungeon-crawling. While shopkeeping helps you to improve your town by adding services such as a potion maker and a blacksmith, dungeon exploring allows you to obtain valuable riches.
10. Staxel
Staxel is influenced by both Harvest Moon and Minecraft, and hence espouses features of both games that are enjoyable. In its voxel-based universe, you create a farmhouse while managing your village life and interacting with odd personalities. One of the things that strike me about Staxel is how much emphasis it places on socializing. You can assist other villagers with their work or invite them to join you in your activities.
11. Hay Day
Here’s a farming game that you can play for free on your Android phone, as we promised at the start. It’s one of the few Android games like Harvest Moon that actually has substance. Hay Day, which was created by the same people who brought us Clash of Clans, will immediately engage you in its addictive farming brilliance.
12. My Time at Portia
My Time at Portia, which was released in 2019, is a life simulation game that features a variety of Harvest Moon components. You begin the life sim by restoring your Pa’s derelict workshop to its former grandeur. You accomplish this by completing tasks such as fulfilling commissions, growing crops, rearing animals, and befriending other people who live in the world around you.
13. Terraria
Terraria is a 2D sandbox game with dynamically generated worlds that shares a lot of similarities with Harvest Moon. It invites you to explore different worlds while mining valuable minerals and avoiding the wrath of frightening animals. This well-liked title includes both single-player and multiplayer modes of play.
14. Farm For Your Life
An apocalypse has occurred as a result of a bizarre storm, which has released zombies into the globe. It’s now up to you to band together with other survivors and return to normalcy while fighting off the zombies. That’s the plot of Farm For Your Life, so we’re assuming you’re familiar with it. If you haven’t worked it out yet, it’s farming and zombies.
15. World’s Dawn
World’s Dawn is situated in a peaceful coastal community with a large cast of eccentric characters to meet and form connections with. It’s no surprise that it features activities like harvesting crops, tending to livestock, personalizing your farmhouse, competing in festivals, fishing, foraging, mining, cooking, and much more, given it’s based on Harvest Moon.
Conclusion:
Here, we will conclude our list of the Best Harvest Moon Alternatives. If you have any suggestions or feedback, you can contact us. Goodbye!