History Main / FarmLifeSim

** ''Harvest Moon'', now known as ''VideoGame/StoryOfSeasons'' in English, is the TropeCodifier and TropeMaker. You start as a young person who moves to a small town. There you start your own farm, meet various people, and usually have the option to settle down and have kids. The games have varying degrees of MagicalRealism involving the local [[NatureSpirit Harvest Sprites]] and CrystalDragonJesus deity, the Harvest Goddess. The series is also an UnbuiltTrope to degree. The series creator never ''intended'' on it to be a "farm sim". The series started out as being about life ''as a farmer''. It was originally a series about a small-town and the characters in the small town, using farming as a backdrop more than the focus. This is why ''VideoGame/HarvestMoonAWonderfulLife'' (the creator's favorite game in the series) and ''VideoGame/HarvestMoonSaveTheHomeland'' are so bare-bones when it comes to farming and ranching. Over the years, ExecutiveMeddling led to more focus on the farming side, which caused the series creator to [[CreatorBacklash quit the series]] in the mid-2000s.

* ''VideoGame/{{Harvestella}} is an ActionRPG crossed with a FarmLifeSim.

Despite its success, ''Story of Seasons'' had little in terms of rivals. The closest were games like ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing'', ''VideoGame/{{Farmville}}'', or ''VideoGame/FarmingSimulator'', which weren't quite in the same genre. 2016's ''VideoGame/StardewValley'' propelled the genre into the [[GenrePopularizer mainstream gaming landscape]]. It was essentially ''Story of Seasons'' with some added changes which appealed to both veteran ''Story of Seasons'' fans and newcomers. Originally released on PC, it became a SleeperHit which led to various ports. Many other developers took note of the game's popularity and were [[FollowTheLeader inspired to make similar titles]].

* ''VideoGame/VivaPinata'' [[/index]]
** ''Viva Piñata'' is an ''UsefulNotes/Xbox360'' game developed by {{Creator/Rare}}. At the start of the game, your job is to turn a ruined wasteland into a beautiful garden that can be customized to your own will. But what makes this game truly stand out is the [[{{Mon}} brightly-colored, animal piñatas that are actually living creatures.]] You can attract them to come visit your garden, and they might stay as "residents" if certain requirements are met. For each resident piñata, they have a "candiosity" meter. With it maximized, they can be sent to Piñata Central to be whisked off to parties, and then... *ahem* get bashed to pieces as any real piñata would. (Don't worry, they enjoy getting bashed ...well, most of them do.) Then eventually, they return to the garden seemingly unscathed.
** Its sequel, ''Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise'', expands on its formula and introduces a new variety of piñatas, and environments. Not to mention the gameplay is more refined and comes with many bug fixes, making it more of a definitive experience to the original.
** The series also has a TV adaptation that aired on ''Creator/FourKidsEntertainment''
** While the franchise was well-received by critics, it was unfortunately short-lived due to its lackluster sales. [[index]]

* ''VideoGame/GleanerHeights'' is a DarkerAndEdgier take on the genre that is heavily inspired by ''Series/TwinPeaks''. The protagonist moves to the StepfordSuburbia that is Gleaner Heights to become a farmer. There, they discover that the town is a DysfunctionJunction full of with infidelity, murder, DomesticAbuse, and occult activity.

* The Japan-only PC-engine game ''Daichi-kun Crisis - Do Natural'' can be considered the UrExample, predating ''Harvest Moon'' by over five years. It can also be considered an early RealTimeStrategy game. You play as a family of cows, planting crops, selling them, and fending off invading monsters. The goal of the game is to populate an island with trees.

* VideoGame/{{Roblox}} has some: ''[[https://www.roblox.com/games/2772610559/Farming-and-Friends Farming and Friends]]'' (the most realistic), ''[[https://www.roblox.com/games/3601201039/Farm-Life-HOUSING Farm Life]]'', and ''[[https://www.roblox.com/games/3126992939/SUBSIDIES-ARE-BACK-Welcome-to-Farmtown-2 Welcome to Farmtown!]]''

* ''Sunville'' is a {{retraux}} farm sim with survival and crafting elements.
%%* ''DarthWiki/{{Updated}}''

** Viva Piñata is an ''UsefulNotes/Xbox360'' game developed by {{Creator/Rare}}. At the start of the game, your job is to turn a ruined wasteland into a beautiful garden that can be customized to your own will. But what makes this game truly stand out is the [[{{Mon}} brightly-colored, animal piñatas that are actually living creatures.]] You can attract them to come visit your garden, and they might stay as "residents" if certain requirements are met. For each resident piñata, they have a "candiosity" meter. With it maximized, they can be sent to Piñata Central to be whisked off to parties, and then... *ahem* get bashed to pieces as any real piñata would. (Don't worry, they enjoy getting bashed ...well, most of them do.) Then eventually, they return to the garden seemingly unscathed.
** Its sequel, Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise, expands on its formula and introduces a new variety of piñatas, and environments. Not to mention the gameplay is more refined and comes with many bug fixes, making it more of a definitive experience to the original.

* ''VideoGame/VivaPinata''

** While the franchise was well-received by critics, it was unfortunately short-lived due to its lackluster sales.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Agricola}}'' is board game for up to 5 players, in which the objective is to grow a farm and make it prosper.

The player is usually a CityMouse who [[FromNewYorkToNowhere decides to leave the ho-hum of urban life]] for a relaxing life as a farmer. Near to their farm is a small town full of quirky individuals. Several of these people will be {{Love Interest}}s that can be married if wished. A good set of supporting characters is vital to this genre. The games can't work on farming alone. There needs to be a cast of interesting [=NPCs=] to befriend and interact with. There's also usually a MagicRealism element to the town.

* ''A Tale of Heart and Homes'' is a board game inspired by ''Story of Seasons''. If's a four-player game where you can farm, fish, go on quests, and marry. The main goal is to overthrow the mayor.

* ''Bountiful Life'' is an in-development game by Alcinous Studios. It's a ''Story Of Seasons''-inspired game with 40-50 planned characters.

* ''Farm Folks'' takes place on an island and has over 35 villagers in the main town of Port Meridian. It's a farm sim, however it has story-driven quests as well.

* ''[[=Gr0wing=]]'' is a sprite-based farm sim based off of ''Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town''. It began development in 2016 but has hit DevelopmentHell.
* ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn1uGRhRHPc Harvest Master: Farm Sim]]'', also known as ''Harvest Master Farm Adventure'', is a mobile [[TheMockbuster clone]] of ''Story of Seasons''. It has a similar style, down to the Heart Events.

* ''Lullaby Gardens'' is a shopkeeper and farm RPG inspired by ''Story of Seasons''. You are a shopkeeper at a coastal town who must gather goods for the shop to bring back customers.
* ''Moonlight Tales'' is a [[DevelopmentHell cancelled]] sim inspired by ''Story of Seasons'' and ''Animal Crossing''. Only a prototype exists. The game would have involved cooking, farming, decorating your house, and raising relationships with townsfolks.

* ''Orange Season'' is inspired by ''Story of Seasons'', with some ''Animal Crossing'' and ''Zelda'' added in. There are four towns, over thirty types of farm animals, and over ten marriage candidates.
* ''Peaceful Days'': You play as a MC who has graduated years ago but still can't find the ideal job. You see an old man sitting in front of your house and give him food and water. He gives you a note about the rural "Aurora Town" then disappears. The protagonist moves to Aurora Town and becomes the owner of Evergarden Farm. In Aurora Town you can raise crops, befriend locals, etc.
* ''Re Legend'' is a co-op farm sim where you raise {{mon}}s called Magnus on a planet named Ethia.

* ''Voodoo Garden'' is a clicker game about harvesting the fruits of a garden that grows automatically, buying new plants for it, and crafting various magic potions.

* ''TabletopGame/ATaleOfHeartAndHomes'' is a board game inspired by ''Story of Seasons''. If's a four-player game where you can farm, fish, go on quests, and marry. The main goal is to overthrow the mayor.

* ''VideoGame/BountifulLife'' is an in-development game by Alcinous Studios. It's a ''Story Of Seasons''-inspired game with 40-50 planned characters.

* ''VideoGame/FarmFolks'' takes place on an island and has over 35 villagers in the main town of Port Meridian. It's a farm sim, however it has story-driven quests as well.

* ''VideoGame/{{Gr0wing}}'' is a sprite-based farm sim based off of ''Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town''. It began development in 2016 but has hit DevelopmentHell.

* ''VideoGame/LullabyGardens'' is a shopkeeper and farm RPG inspired by ''Story of Seasons''. You are a shopkeeper at a coastal town who must gather goods for the shop to bring back customers.
* ''VideoGame/MoonlightTales'' is a [[DevelopmentHell cancelled]] sim inspired by ''Story of Seasons'' and ''Animal Crossing''. Only a prototype exists. The game would have involved cooking, farming, decorating your house, and raising relationships with townsfolks.

* ''VideoGame/OrangeSeason'' is inspired by ''Story of Seasons'', with some ''Animal Crossing'' and ''Zelda'' added in. There are four towns, over thirty types of farm animals, and over ten marriage candidates.
* ''VideoGame/PeacefulDays'': You play as a MC who has graduated years ago but still can't find the ideal job. You see an old man sitting in front of your house and give him food and water. He gives you a note about the rural "Aurora Town" then disappears. The protagonist moves to Aurora Town and becomes the owner of Evergarden Farm. In Aurora Town you can raise crops, befriend locals, etc.
* ''VideoGame/ReLegend'' is a co-op farm sim where you raise {{mon}}s called Magnus on a planet named Ethia.
* ''VideoGame/{{Rimworld}}'' has some elements of this genre, particularly if you add some of the GameMods designed to expand on the existing mechanics like Fertile Fields or the Vegetable Garden Project. The overall tone is rather less {{Arcadia}}n the other examples on this page, however. [[NoPartyLikeADonnerParty Especially if you don't plant enough crops before winter.]]

* ''VideoGame/{{Sunville}}'' is a {{retraux}} farm sim with survival and crafting elements.

* ''VideoGame/SakunaofRiceandRuin'' has been compared to ''Rune Factory'' in terms of combat and farming, taking place in the country of Yanato (Japan-equivalent). The titular protagonist Sakuna has to balance between farming rice to replace the destroyed stock that was meant to be a tribute to the gods, while also exterminating demons on the Island of Demons, both parts punishment. Farming rice is important to Sakuna as the better her yield is in quality, the better her combat stats are, courtesy of inheriting aspects from both her war god father and harvest goddess mother.

* ''VideoGame/StardewValley'' is the GenrePopularizer. Until this game, only the original ''Story of Seasons'' existed, but the popularity of ''Stardew Valley'' led to [[FollowTheLeader a slew of clones]]. The game started out as a ''Story of Seasons'' FanGame before becoming a SpiritualSuccessor. The game includes elements that differentiate it from its inspiration, such as {{Gay Option}}s and modding (thanks to it originally being a PC title). ''Stardew Valley'' is inspired by the original few ''Story of Seasons'' titles, which is why it contains mature topics like alcoholism and depression.

* ''TabletopGame/StardewValley'' tabletop adaptation of the videogame listed below.

** It's sequel, Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise, expands on its formula and introduces a new variety of piñatas, and environments. Not to mention the gameplay is more refined and comes with many bug fixes, making it more of a definitive experience to the original.

* ''VideoGame/HarvestTown'' is an UsefulNotes/{{Android Game|s}} created by QY Games, and published by [=Avid.ly=]. Typical to its genre, the game allows players to plant crops, raise animals, forage, mine, fish, and interact with villagers. It does have an unusual premise in that the protagonist ''isn't'' a CityMouse newcomer moving into an abandoned farm. Instead, they are a Harvest Town native who had left the village for the metropolis decades ago, and had become old and regretful in their old age. While reminiscing the past, they inexplicably underwent a MentalTimeTravel to the moment before their departure, whereupon they cancel their plans to leave, and is determined to rebuild the farm that they have neglected.

* ''VideoGame/PeacefulDays'': You play as a MC who has graduated years ago but still can't find the ideal job. You see an old man sitting in front of your house ans give him food and water. He gives you a note about the rural "Aurora Town" then disappears. The protagonist moves to Aurora Town and becomes the owner of Evergarden Farm. In Aurora Town you can raise crops, befriend locals, etc.
* ''[[VideoGame/ReLegend re:Legend]]'' is a co-op farm sim where you raise {{mon}}s called Magnus on a planet named Ethia.

* ''VideoGame/HarvestTown'' is an UsefulNotes/{{Android Game|s}} created by QY Games, and published by [=Avid.ly=]. Typical to its genre, the game allows players to plant crops, raise animals, forage, mine, fish, and interact with villagers. It does have an unusual premise in that the protagonist ''isn't'' a CityMouse newcomer moving into an abandoned farm. Instead, they start as an old and regretful person who had left their home town for the city decades ago, and suddenly underwent a MentalTimeTravel to the moment before their departure, whereupon they cancel their plans to leave, and is determined to rebuild the farm that they have neglected.

%% Image chosen via crowner in the Image Suggestions thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/crowner.php/ImagePickin/ImageSuggestions137

->"A harvest of a lifetime!"