Best 10 Immersive Farming Games to Play on PC

Ethan James 03 Jun 2023

Farming games have steadily grown in popularity over the years, offering players a relaxing, immersive escape into the agrarian world. From managing sprawling farms to developing close relationships with in-game communities, these games provide endless hours of entertainment and satisfaction. We've pulled together a list of the top 10 must-play farming games available for PC gamers, each providing unique experiences that cater to a wide variety of playstyles.

1. Stardew Valley

Indie favorite Stardew Valley is widely regarded as one of the best farming games available on PC. Developed by ConcernedApe and released in 2016, this charming pixel-art game tasks players with restoring their grandfather's run-down farm while forming relationships with the valley's colorful residents. There's no shortage of activities in this community-driven game — grow crops, raise livestock, mine for resources, fish, cook, craft goods for sale, and even engage in combat within mysterious caves.

2. Farming Simulator Series

The Farming Simulator series is designed for those seeking an authentic farming experience with attention to detail and realism. Developed by Giants Software and published in 2008, this game puts you in charge of running a successful agriculture business while handling various farming machinery brands such as John Deere or New Holland. As you expand your farm over several maps based on real-world locations like the United States or Europe, your skills will be tested across crop cultivation, animal husbandry, and forestry management businesses.

3. Harvest Moon: Light of Hope

A popular series since the 90s, Harvest Moon remains a beloved staple among farming sims fans today thanks to its unique blend of farming and life simulation elements. In Light of Hope — developed by Natsume and released in 2017 — players find themselves stranded on an island following a storm, and they must successfully rebuild the town while planting and nurturing their farm. Form lasting bonds with villagers and raise adorable animals to create a thriving community both on and off the field.

4. Slime Rancher

Taking the genre in a whimsical direction, Slime Rancher is an addictive first-person farming game developed by Monomi Park. In this quirky title released in 2016, players are transported to a far-off planet inhabited by squishy, colorful slimes waiting to be wrangled. Create your slime ranch, collect resources from these gooey creatures, and tackle puzzles as you explore the alien wilderness. Combining elements of farming and action-adventure gaming, Slime Rancher delivers fresh gameplay fun for players of all ages.

5. Graveyard Keeper

If you're looking for a darker twist on farming games, look no further than Graveyard Keeper — developed by Lazy Bear Games and released in 2018. Though you'll still cultivate crops as in traditional life sims like Stardew Valley or Harvest Moon, here you'll also be responsible for operating your village's medieval cemetery. Manage funerals, decorate your gravesites with bushes or candles, or find morbidly creative ways to increase profits in this macabre yet thoroughly entertaining title.

6. My Time at Portia

3D open-world farming game My Time at Portia offers a unique blend of farming and crafting adventures within beautifully-rendered landscapes inspired by Studio Ghibli films. Developed by Pathea Games and released in 2018, this game encourages exploration as players uncover the mysteries of an ancient post-apocalyptic civilization while trying to establish themselves by building up their workshop/farm and getting acquainted with the colorful cast of characters that inhabits Portia.

7. Ooblets

A delightful mix of farming, creature collection, and dance battles, Ooblets is a charming life sim developed by Glumberland and released in 2020. Not only are you tasked with developing your farmstead but also collecting and cultivating the adorable creatures named ooblets. These pint-sized critters engage in fierce dance competitions that help players progress through various story arcs while forging relationships with the town's kooky inhabitants.

8. Garden Paws

Fans of cute animals will fall in love with Garden Paws, an indie farming game developed by Bitten Toast Games and released in 2018. In this title, players exist as adorable critters themselves while tending to their farm, exploring the idyllic countryside, helping neighboring villages, or managing a thriving shop in town. With multiplayer functionality and Twitch integration, Garden Paws brings delightful social interaction to the groundwork set up added by traditional farming games.

9. Viva Piñata

Bursting with bright colors and lovable characters, Viva Piñata offers a fresh perspective on farming games within its lush piñata paradise setting. Developed by Rare Ltd., this vibrant title originally released for Xbox 360 in 2006 made its way to PC (as "Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise"), allows players to plant gardens to attract various piñatas and even breed them into new types. Fending off pests adds strategic elements that challenge players while delivering endless fun.

10. Littlewood

Last on our list but no less deserving of praise is Littlewood — developed by Sean Young (SmashGames) — a cozy farming sim perfect for those seeking a low-key, stress-relief gaming experience. With no combat or time constraints, players can peacefully explore breathtaking atmospheric landscapes and help rebuild their town following a great war while delving into crafting hobbies like fishing, mining, or cooking. For fans of peaceful sims with an old-school flair, look no further than this hidden gem.

From traditional farming adventures to fantastical creature worlds, these PC farming games offer the perfect opportunity for relaxation and exploration. Whether you're looking to grow and harvest crops in realistic environments or become immersed in a community-driven sim experience, you'll surely find your match among these top 10 must-play titles.