New farming simulators are constantly hitting the market and many of them have similar aspects to the most popular one in the genre:Stardew Valley. It has almost become a rite of passage for farming simulators to be compared to the ConcernedApe title, especially in a positive way. One of the best new games that has gotten that honor isFields of Mistria. Released in June 2024 on limited early access, there has only been one major update to this charming game, but it has captured fan’s interest already.
Created by the small development team at NPC Studio,Fields of Mistriais the first game the company has released. Inspired by popular farming sim RPGs likeHarvest MoonandRune Factory,Fields of Mistriacaptures the magic that makes the farming sim genre special, not just the basic farming and collection experience. Despite being in early access,Fields of Mistriaalready won a Game of the Year Award from Patch Magazine, a monthly indie gaming publication, and has an impressive Five-Stars and Overwhelmingly Positive rating on Steam.
What Is Fields Of Mistria?
Romance, Magic, And An Abandoned Farm Make Fields of Mistria Special
To say thatFields of Mistriais a farming sim RPG almost seems to diminish the scope of the title. Set in the magical world of Aldaria, players have a complete range of customization options for their characters to fit with diverse representations from the start, like a large selection of pronoun options and hijabs in the accessory category.Magic spells, romance, and a big shot of nostalgia within the chunky pixelated style make this title worth reaching forif you’re a farm sim fan. The farm inFields of Mistriaisn’t inherited from your dead grandpa, but is part of a deal made by the Adventurer’s Guild in exchange for your assistance in rebuilding the town of Mistria with its residents.
After 13 Years, Stardew Valley’s Success Proves It’s More Than A “Harvest Moon Clone”
Stardew Valley might be iconic today, but it was once written off as a “Harvest Moon clone,” and its success is a lesson for other clone type games.
Of course, the farming aspects are important and there are a range of different crops for each season, but the grind to be a better farmer isn’t as slow as it is in some other titles. In my first season playing the game, I found that farming wasn’t a primary goal that the game drew me to, but instead, foraging and fishing. The skills rise a bit slower than expected, butthe game almost forces you to take your time and enjoy the surroundingsrather than rush through. The best part of the game is that it’s still growing;romance was added toFields of Mistriain the last major update and so far it’s said that only around half of the primary story has been released.
How Fields Of Mistria Is Expanding The Farming Genre
Changing The Farming Sim Genre One Infinite Watering Can At A Time
While the typical go-to’s for farming sim games areStardew Valleyor similar titles,Fields of Mistriahasmassively expanded on the formula for the genredespite only being in early access. The dialogue always feels fresh and exciting, and you can even talk to characters multiple times a day and get unique dialogue. There’s also alovely number of quality-of-life expansions that have set a new standard for the genre, like not having to constantly refill your watering can, the ability to upgrade your farming skills so that there is a chance for seeds to water themselves when planted, or even just the ease at which farming is presented.
Not only is the more charming pixelated art style and fluidity of animations important in changing the way that people look at the farming sim genre, but the tiny details that NPC Studios has added are incredible.Players can completely change their character’s name, appearance, and farm name, and even save the game at any point, which wins major points for furthering the genre in terms of quality-of-life. The amount of love and high-quality creation that has been put withinFields of Mistriaalready as an early access title makes the game’s eventual completion very promising.
Why You Should Be Playing This Charming Game
It’s Not Just Another Stardew Valley Clone, It Might Be Better
If you’ve tried and failed to get intoStardew Valley, this game might be the best way to get back into the farming sim genre.Fields of Mistriaoffers players a simpler experience butnot at the cost of quality gameplay.Fields of Mistria’s fishing skill alonemakes playingworth it. With prioritizing friendship and building bonds around the town,Fields of Mistriais a perfect chance for players who want to try a game to get in early, since there are over 40 hours of content that has been available since the initial release and more is updated as time goes on.
It completely reignites the magic that early farming sim titles on early consoles had.
I am not a fan of getting games before they’re finished, butFields of Mistriacompletely changed that perception of early-access games for me. The five years of development that NPC Studios have put into the title are clear.Fields of Mistriaisn’t just anotherStardew Valleyclone;it completely reignites the magic that early farming sim titles on early consoles had while continuing to bring new and improved facets to the genre. If the awards and positive reviews aren’t enough to bring people to the gem that isFields of Mistria, then hopefully the idea of eligible town doctors and gardeners might.
