Unwind with the Best Farming Games on Steam Early Access

Farming sims are beloved by many for their ability to provide a sense of comfort and relaxation through activities such as growing crops, raising animals, and interacting with villagers. These games often boast visually pleasing art styles, making it easy for players to get lost in the peaceful gameplay. One of the many benefits of these games is the ability to customize the level of investment and focus, allowing players to fully immerse themselves or simply enjoy a casual experience.

Despite having a favorite farming sim, players are always on the lookout for new games that offer unique mechanics or different environments. Steam's Early Access Hub is a treasure trove of such games, providing players with a chance to shape the development of these titles by sharing their experiences and feedback directly with the developers. With so many options available, the cozy and familiar loop of farming sims is constantly evolving and expanding.

10 Everdream Valley

Steam Early Access Release: May 31, 2023

Platform: Microsoft Windows

Players can enjoy Everdream Valley on multiple platforms including Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Nintendo Switch. This farming simulation game offers a refreshing twist to the genre. During the day, players can take care of their crops and livestock while exploring the beautiful and endless summer in the valley. When night falls, players can use a magical hat to take control of different animals to protect their farm from danger, complete challenges, or even hunt down other creatures.

9 Song Of The Prairie

In addition to the night mechanic, the game also offers several quality-of-life features that players are sure to appreciate. One such feature is the farm animal indicator system, which allows players to easily see when their animals need food or attention, or when they are ready to provide resources. To collect these resources, players can participate in unique mini-games for each individual animal.

Steam Early Access Release: April 7, 2023

The game Song of the Prairie is designed for Microsoft Windows platform and it features a protagonist who chooses to lead a peaceful rural life after conquering the antagonist. The player can enjoy performing tasks such as growing enormous crops, capturing animals, and customizing their farm and town. In addition to this, the game also offers a range of magical secrets that the player can discover in the fantasy-themed world.

The fantastical realm of the game is easily navigable thanks to the convenient fast travel option, and the absence of loading screens contributes to a seamless gaming experience. The game's Inner World system breathes life into the diverse cast of NPCs, allowing players to develop relationships with them. Not only can players befriend and romance these characters, but they can also hire them to help with farming tasks and even offer them a place to reside in their own town.

8 The Last Craftsman

Steam Early Access Release: March 8, 2023

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The Last Craftsman, available on Microsoft Windows, offers a simplified farming experience without compromising on the core mechanics of a farming simulator. With a cozy gameplay loop and no time-limited events, players can fully immerse themselves in the farming lifestyle.

Players in this game are fully immersed in the art of crafting, as the title suggests. The process involves gathering, researching, and creating items that boast unique properties. By unlocking additional crafts and machines, players can fulfill the requests of villagers. The game encourages players to discover efficient ways to create items in order to avoid tedious grinding and focus on the enjoyable aspects of the crafting mechanic.

7 Research Story

Steam Early Access Release: February 21, 2023

Players are invited to explore the vibrant town of Shimmerbrook in Research Story, where peculiar flora and fauna have surfaced. Collaborating with The Violet Archive, players delve into the mysteries of the local ecosystem through research. By collecting plant seeds and taming animals, players can unlock the secrets of each species, but must cater to their individual needs to ensure their thriving survival. With a mixture of real and fantastical species, each yielding unique drops, the rewards for successful research are well worth the effort.

Raising creatures in the game is a significant aspect, as players have the option to have a maximum of three creatures follow them at once. Each creature provides a distinct buff that can prove beneficial for various tasks such as farming, fishing, exploration, and more.

6 Blue Oak Bridge

Steam Early Access Release: December 1, 2022

Upon being stranded on the shores of Eloria, players are presented with two options in Blue Oak Bridge: to embark on a perilous adventure involving forbidden magic or to lead a peaceful life on a farm. What sets this game apart is its top-down, isometric, fixed-camera POV, which provides a unique perspective for players. The hand-drawn art style complements the game's enjoyable and consistent cycle of farm and town activities. Despite its intense premise, the game allows players to play at their own pace without imposing a rigid schedule.

Players may find themselves taking a break from the repetitive farming cycle thanks to the game's innovative library system. By completing the Blue Oak Library's compendium, new areas can be accessed, with the added bonus of an upcoming expansion for this feature.

5 Coral Island

Steam Early Access Release: October 11, 2022

Players who are passionate about nature and the ocean, and enjoy customizing their characters, will find Coral Island to be a perfect fit. With a diverse cast of villagers, players have the ability to shape their appearance in-game. Additionally, the island itself can be transformed through story and gameplay events that are entirely up to the player's discretion.

Players can explore Coral Island's surrounding waters by scuba diving and uncover hidden areas and characters, setting it apart from other simulation games. The added bonus of physical changes in the game world as progress is made can make this feature even more satisfying for players.

4 Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure

Steam Early Access Release: August 18, 2022

Platform: Microsoft Windows

Platforms (Full Release): Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

Ikonei Island offers players the unique opportunity to embody a bipedal shark or cat and embark on an adventure in a magical world teeming with fantastical creatures and friendly villagers. The freedom to place one's homestead anywhere on the island and build around it adds to the immersive experience. In addition to farming, exploring, and restoring ruins, players can even engage in combat against pesky pirates. The game's pet system is particularly appealing to animal lovers, as players can rescue and tame an array of magical and regular critters. By summoning these trusty companions, players can harness their unique abilities to complete tasks and upgrade their skills.

3 Dinkum

Steam Early Access Release: July 14, 2022

Platforms: Microsoft Windows

Dinkum, a game inspired by the Australian outback, takes players on a journey through diverse landscapes such as deserts, billabongs, mangroves, and eucalyptus forests, while encountering unique outback creatures. The game presents an opportunity for players to collect rare items and earn points in a multiplayer setting, where up to four players can explore the island via motorbike, hang glide, jetski, or flying. Additionally, players can trade items, modify the landscape, and help each other find hidden treasures for a more immersive gameplay experience.

2 My Time At Sandrock

Steam Early Access Release: May 26, 2022

Platform: Microsoft Windows

My Time At Sandrock, created by the same team behind My Time At Portia, takes players on a thrilling adventure set in a post-apocalyptic world, 300 years after a catastrophic event that wiped out much of the advanced human technology. After its PC release, the game will be available on multiple platforms, including Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and 5.

Players are tasked with aiding the city-state of Sandrock in rebuilding their desert community, rather than exploring a picturesque forest. This installment of the series enhances the core mechanics and introduces convenient quality-of-life features, such as the ability to fulfill commissions with requested items from the player's base, reducing the tediousness often associated with farming simulation games.

1 Little Witch In The Woods

Steam Early Access Release: May 17, 2022

Platform: Microsoft Windows

Platforms (Full Release): Xbox Cloud Gaming, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S, Mac OS

Little Witch In The Woods is a charming simulation game that immerses players into the enchanting world of apprentice witch Ellie. Its stunning pixelated graphics, whimsical anthropomorphic characters, and captivating animations make it a delightful experience to discover and unravel the secrets of its universe.

The game revolves around Ellie's daily tasks as a budding witch. As she encounters different creatures, she documents them in her book while collecting materials that can aid her in creating potions that further the game's storyline. Moreover, Ellie's actions have a significant impact on the development of the main village and its inhabitants, making her an essential part of their lives.