Stardew Valley: how a farming simulator became a cult game

Farming simulators have become a kind of outlet for those who seek peace and quiet in the world of video games. They allow you to relax, immersing yourself in the atmosphere of rural life, where every day is filled with caring for the land, growing crops and caring for animals. Farm simulators give you the opportunity to escape from the bustle of the city and feel like the owner of your own virtual farm. These games are suitable for both experienced gamers and beginners, thanks to their accessibility and meditative gameplay.

From classic games to open-world projects, everyone will find something to their liking. Below is an overview of the ten most exciting projects worth trying on PC.

Farming Simulator 22 – a realistic flagship among farm simulators

Farming Simulator 22 is a benchmark product that sets standards for the genre. Developers from Giants Software released the game in 2021, and it instantly gained popularity due to its realism and variety of possibilities.

Users have at their disposal a huge arsenal of agricultural equipment from real manufacturers such as John Deere, Case IH, and New Holland. Seasonal changes introduced into the plot add dynamism: winter snowfalls, autumn leaves, and spring rains affect the gameplay. Farm management requires strategic thinking, because each cycle of planting and harvesting must be carefully planned.

Particular attention is paid to livestock: breeding cows, sheep, chickens, and horses requires regular care and thoughtful use of resources. The possibility of cooperative play allows you to manage the farm together with friends, which makes the process even more exciting. These are the features that make Farming Simulator 22 one of the best farm simulators for PC.

Stardew Valley – a pixel paradise for farmers and explorers

Stardew Valley, created by ConcernedApe, was released in 2016 and has not lost its popularity since then. This indie simulator has won the hearts of millions of players thanks to a combination of simple but addictive gameplay and charming pixel art style.

At the beginning, the hero inherits an old farm from his grandfather and moves to the town of Pelican Town. Players are engaged in planting and harvesting crops, breeding animals, fishing and crafting. A special feature of the game is the ability to establish relationships with city residents, which adds an element of social simulation. You can get married, have children and even participate in city holidays.

Ranch Simulator – open world and realistic approach

Ranch Simulator from the Toxic Dog studio offers an interesting take on the farm simulator genre. The main task is to restore the old family ranch using modern tools and equipment.

The gameplay includes the construction and repair of buildings, animal breeding and hunting. The open world provides freedom of action: you can explore the surroundings, collect resources and even hunt game. Realistic graphics and physics add atmosphere and immersion to the process.

Ranch Simulator’s special feature is its co-op mode, which allows you to team up with other users to manage a ranch. This makes the project one of the best options for those looking for open-world farm simulators.

My Time at Portia — farming and crafting in a post-apocalyptic world

My Time at Portia, developed by Pathea Games, was released in 2019 and immediately attracted attention due to its unique combination of farming, construction, and adventure. The action takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, where the hero restores his father’s workshop and helps the city prosper.

The gameplay includes growing plants, caring for animals, extracting resources, and crafting items. My Time at Portia places a lot of emphasis on social interactions: making friends with city residents opens up new quests and opportunities.

The crafting and construction elements make the game dynamic and varied. That is why it is among the top farm simulators for those who like to combine farming with adventure and exploration.

The Sims 4: Cottage Living — Farm Life in the Sims World

The Sims 4: Cottage Living, released in 2021 by Maxis, adds farming elements to the popular life simulator. The expansion allows players to move to the village, raise animals, grow crops and enjoy a measured rural life.

The game offers the opportunity to care for cows, chickens and llamas, as well as participate in village fairs. Farm life in Cottage Living is filled with funny moments and everyday chores.

Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town — a reboot of the farming classic

Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town, released in 2020 and developed by Marvelous, is a remake of the famous Harvest Moon for Game Boy Advance. The project attracts with its simple but exciting mechanics, cozy atmosphere and the ability to slowly develop your farm.

The characters in the game have bright personalities, and social interactions play an important role in advancing the plot. It is the attention to detail and high-quality remake that make Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town one of the best farm simulators on PC.

Slime Rancher — an unusual farm simulator with cute slimes

Slime Rancher, developed by Monomi Park and released in 2017, offers a unique take on farming. Instead of traditionally growing plants and animals, players breed funny and colorful slimes on a distant planet.

The gameplay involves collecting different types of slimes, feeding them, and creating combinations to obtain rare materials. Farming simulators are rarely so creative: in Slime Rancher, the world is full of bright colors, unusual creatures, and unexpected surprises.

Farm Together is the perfect farming simulator for co-op play

Created by Milkstone Studios and released in 2018, Farm Together is a relaxing project that is ideal for playing with friends. There is no violence here, and the emphasis is on joint construction and management.

Participants can grow crops, breed animals, build buildings, and decorate their farm. A unique feature is the real-time system: even when players are not in the game, their farm continues to develop.

Flexibility in customization, a variety of decorative elements, and a convenient co-op mode make Farm Together one of the most popular farming simulators for those looking for a calm and relaxed gameplay.

Pure Farming 2018 — a technological approach to farming

Developed by Ice Flames, Pure Farming 2018 offers fans a global approach to farming. Unlike other games, here you can develop farms in different countries using unique crops and technologies. Pure Farming 2018 attracts with its graphics, a variety of mechanics and the opportunity to try yourself in the role of an international farmer.

Garden Paws — a farm simulator with adventure elements

Garden Paws, released in 2019 by Bitten Toast Games, invites players to become owners of an estate in a world inhabited by charming animals. The gameplay includes growing crops, constructing buildings, completing quests and exploring the island.

A special feature of Garden Paws is the ability to customize the character and farm. Players can choose the appearance of their hero, build and decorate buildings to their taste. Social interactions and completing tasks for the islanders add depth to the game.

Conclusion

Farming simulators on PC offer a surprising variety of mechanics and features for players of all levels. From realistic projects like Farming Simulator 22 to unusual and creative games like Slime Rancher, there is something for everyone. Projects allow you to not only relax and enjoy the measured life on a virtual farm, but also develop strategic thinking, creativity and social skills.

Game simulators amaze the imagination with how they allow everyone to find themselves in the role of a pilot, a driver, a farmer, or even to manage the entire world. The first of them were not developed for entertainment, but for training – pilots needed to hone their skills in a safe environment. Today, such virtual models are not just games, but entire worlds that combine realism and fantasy, offering users immersion in alternative realities.

Modern game simulators cover various aspects of life, from aviation to driving or farming. Their popularity is explained by the desire for maximum immersion and the opportunity to live a different experience. Let’s talk about how these virtual worlds are structured and what makes them so special.

Virtual simulators for pilots

The history of pilot simulators began with simulators for training pilots, and since then this genre has evolved greatly. Microsoft Flight Simulator is considered one of the most realistic representatives of this category. It uses real-world data, including maps and weather conditions, to create an accurate sense of flight. It allows you to see how the cockpit is actually arranged and what challenges arise during the flight.

Pilot gaming machines not only help aviation enthusiasts, but also train pilots. They accurately convey the laws of aerodynamics and the impact of weather on the aircraft. With their help, future pilots can train, practicing standard and emergency situations.

Modern virtual reality technologies have made gaming simulators even more exciting. Using VR allows the pilot to see the world around him from any angle, literally immersing himself in the process. This is an important advantage that allows not only to improve the accuracy of training, but also to make it more exciting.

Driving school in virtual reality

Driving simulators have also come a long way. From the first arcade games to complex models, they have become an integral part of driver training. Gran Turismo or Assetto Corsa allow you to experience the dynamics of driving a car with a precision that cannot be conveyed by a regular arcade game. Such simulators simulate the physics of movement, taking into account every detail: tire grip, inertia, and the car’s reaction to the driver’s actions.

Some driving schools and car manufacturers use these technologies to train drivers, which helps improve skills and prepare for extreme situations on the road. Such gaming simulators are attractive due to the opportunity to feel the speed and adrenaline without risking life.

Driver models also allow users to study the features of different car models. For example, virtual models include settings for changing the suspension, control, and other parameters, which helps to better understand how certain changes affect the behavior of the car. Thus, players can improve their driving skills, then apply them in real life.

Creating your own universe: life simulators

Life simulators are a separate genre, where the user controls a character or an entire community. One of the most famous representatives of this genre is The Sims. People have always been interested in observing themselves from the outside and experimenting with different life scenarios. Such simulators offer unlimited opportunities for creativity and building their own worlds.

Gaming machines, such as The Sims, allow you to immerse yourself in alternative realities, where every decision affects the fate of the characters. From building a house to creating a family, every aspect of the game gives a sense of control and the opportunity to live lives that are not available in reality.

Another interesting point is the interaction between characters. These virtual worlds allow you to simulate complex social situations and track the consequences of actions. This makes the game not only exciting, but also instructive, helping to better understand social interactions and their impact on others.

How simulators work: laws of physics

I wonder how such simulators work? The basis is the laws of physics and artificial intelligence. To create realistic models, developers use complex mathematical algorithms that simulate the behavior of objects in real life. For example, driving simulators accurately calculate the interaction of wheels and road surfaces, which allows them to convey all the nuances of driving a car.

The physical models used in such games cover not only the movement of objects, but also their interaction with the environment. For example, construction machine simulators take into account factors such as soil density and weather conditions, which makes them useful for training future specialists. Such virtual simulators are also often used in the training of students of technical universities so that they can study real processes without having to be present at the construction site.

Features of realistic simulators

Simulators with a high degree of detail stand out due to the use of real data. For example, Farming Simulator includes:

• Real field maps – accurate geography, like in real agriculture.
• Agricultural machinery – models of real tractors and equipment.
• Physical processes – from plant growth to weather conditions.
• economic data — games like Cities: Skylines include city budgets and taxes, which develops strategic thinking.

Such detail makes the gameplay as close to real life as possible.

Simulators in Russian: the importance of localization

For the Russian-speaking audience, it is important that the simulators are well-translated. Games like Car Mechanic Simulator or Euro Truck Simulator are translated into Russian and adapted to the specifics of the local market. This makes it easier to understand and makes the game more enjoyable.

The great popularity of such computer games is explained not only by their accessibility, but also by the high level of localization. The user can fully immerse himself in the process, without being distracted by language barriers. This is especially important when it comes to complex simulators, where every detail matters.

In addition, some virtual models offer users the ability to customize the interface and even change voice commands to Russian, which significantly improves interaction. A good example is space flight simulators, where an accurate understanding of the instructions is critical for the successful completion of missions. Thanks to high-quality translation, Russian-speaking players can enjoy the game on par with other users.

Conclusion

From piloting an aeroplane to running your own farm, each simulator offers a new perspective on life and unique skills. Game simulators develop decision-making skills, teach you new professions and even help you fight fears. Try one of them out and experience the full range of emotions that this exciting game offers