In the world of video games, there's a lot to pick from. Whether you prefer fighting games, action games, or platformers, there's something for everyone. Sometimes, those worlds and experiences aren't about collecting coins, setting high scores, or battling monsters. At least, not entirely.
There are many games where players can live their life and build their own world to escape to, indulging in simpler pleasures such as building a house or a farm, or just getting to know the game's loveable cast. These games provide a special sort of escape, especially these days where everything seems so uncertain. Here are great games that involve that magical blend of farming and simulation, with their Metacritic scores as a testament to their quality.
10 Animal Crossing: New Horizons - 90
A game as iconic as this one needs no introduction. Released in 2020 and with a Metacritic score of 90, the latest entry to the beloved Animal Crossing series was a much needed escape for most. Thanks to the internet, players around the world shared their discoveries and creations with each other.
The Animal Crossing series is famous for its leisurely gameplay which takes place according to real time (that is, the time set on your Nintendo Switch). Seasons change, night becomes day, and with each gradual change, players find new insects and fish to catch, activities to do, and animal friends to get to know.
9 The Sims 3 - 86
The third game in one of the bestselling video game series of all time, The Sims 3 is widely considered to be one of the best of the franchise. With a score of 86 on Metacritic, it may not top the 90 score of The Sims 2 but is considered much more modern and approachable.
The Sims is all about creating people, called Sims, and their personalities, then letting them interact and build their lives. The possibilities are infinite, and just when players think they’ve seen it all, there is a massive variety of mods out there to explore.
8 Stardew Valley - 89
Another iconic game, this indie masterpiece has cemented itself in video game culture. Stardew Valley is a game that seems to live and breathe, all while boasting a wonderful soundtrack and gorgeous pixel art style. With a Metacritic score of 89, it's apparent that this game, made entirely by one person, is beloved by so many people.
In Stardew Valley, each season brings changes in the flora and fauna. Players can build relationships, get married, go mining, fish, and of course, farm crops, just to name a handful of the activities this game allows. It's a beautiful world to escape to and make your own.
7 Moonlighter - 83
Moonlighter brings together a medley of gameplay elements to create a fantastic simulation adventure. The game boasts a score of 83 on Metacritic and plays like a farming and life simulator game crossed with an action RPG.
This is another game that will hook players with its beautiful art style, as well as its simulation and action RPG mechanics. Players fight enemies and bosses using a fluid combat system, while getting to know the village community and maintaining their shop. There's plenty to craft, loot and build here.
6 Rune Factory 4 Special - 81
This installment of the Rune Factory game series is the first on the Nintendo Switch. The series combines RPG elements with simulation, once again proving that this is a much loved combination and recipe for a great game. Rune Factory 4 Special has a score of 81 on Metacritic.
Besides simply farming and exploring dungeons, Rune Factory 4 also has an extensive relationship system. Players can take their pick from a variety of NPCs to pursue a relationship with, and even start a family together.
5 Terraria - 83
In Terraria, players can do pretty much anything. This game, with its 83 score on Metacritic as a testament to its quality, lets players immerse themselves in a rewarding cycle of adventuring, crafting, and foraging.
The world in Terraria is procedurally generated, so every new game file is a new adventure where players must start from the ground up to gather resources such as ores, craft armor, and defend themselves. Terraria is a fun and immersive, charming little game that can be played in bursts to escape from the busyness of everyday.
4 Story Of Seasons: Friends Of Mineral Town - 77
Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town is a classic farming simulation game, lovingly given a remake on the Nintendo Switch. The game's 77 score on Metacritic is proof that this remake retains the qualities of the original game that made it so loveable and charming.
In Friends of Mineral Town, players explore a quaint town full of friendly faces and a farm of their own to cultivate. The in game calendar is packed with events to do, so between making friends, growing crops, and seeing what's happening in Mineral Town, there's no shortage of things to do in this cute and uplifting game.
3 Dragon Quest Builders 2 - 86
The Dragon Quest series is beloved in the world of JRPGs, so what's Dragon Quest Builders all about? In this game, players can work alone or with friends to find materials and, you guessed it, build things. It's very well executed and polished, deserving its Metacritic score of 86, and the signature Dragon Quest art style brings it all together.
The game also features expansive exploration and a single player campaign mode. There are towns to design and defend, weapons to craft, and all sorts of locations and materials to discover in this playful and exciting game.
2 Minecraft - 93
It's unlikely that gamers who enjoy simulation games haven't heard of Minecraft. A simple concept but brilliant in execution, Minecraft is anything and everything you want it to be. The game's score of 93 on Metacritic speaks for itself.
In Minecraft, the only limit is your imagination. Players can build cities from the ground up, or farms, or even roller-coasters, all using the game's blocks. The game can be played alone or together, and is enjoyed in a variety of modes, including a sandbox mode and a survival mode. Its world truly is whatever you make it to be and whatever you want to explore.
1 Sakuna: Of Rice And Ruin - 80
In Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin, players take on demons in 2D combat. However, that's not all that the game is about. Throughout the game, players explore beautiful environments and engaging in farming simulation. The game has a score of 80 on Metacritic.
Players gather resources during combat phases of the game and explore the world, while in the farming segments, those resources are put to use through a series of mini-games in to grow rice. There's also a day and night cycle in the game, affecting the power of the demons in combat.