New Open-World Game on Steam Channels Stardew Valley Energy Into a Massive, Living Farm Paradise

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Stardew Valley is a hugely influential game, particularly when it comes to relaxing, farm-focused experiences. While inspired by games like Rune Factory and Harvest Moon, the 2017 release has become a leading example and major inspiration for modern farming simulations and cozy games.

Even with realistic graphics and a first-person view, the upcoming farming game Hillshade Farm clearly takes inspiration from Stardew Valley. Developed by a single person at New Acre, the game starts you with a neglected piece of land and challenges you to rebuild it into a successful farm and business. While the idea of restoring a rundown farm isn’t new, it’s a familiar and enjoyable concept.

Will Hillshade Farm Be Able to Hang with Cozy and Farming Greats?

It’s exciting to see new games enter the popular farming sim genre. However, because there are so many options already, it’s tough for new games to stand out. That means games like Hillshade need to be creative and try new things to stay competitive and relevant.

Hillshade Farm stands out due to its focus on innovation and a realistic design. Unlike games like Stardew Valley, which use simpler graphics, Hillshade Farm strives for photorealism and a first-person perspective. This creates a more immersive and lifelike experience, making everyday actions like walking and interacting with objects feel more engaging.

Even though Hillshade Farm looks quite different from most relaxing farming games, it still feels like a classic in the genre. You’ll grow crops and raise animals, sell what you produce, and then use the money to improve your farm and grow even more. You can also spend money on things like decorating your house and customizing your experience.

Image Credits: New Acre

Farming is truly the focus of this game, both in its story and how you play. Unlike games like Stardew Valley, Fields of Mistria, or Disney Dreamlight Valley, Hillshade Farm doesn’t include things like mining, fighting, or building relationships with townspeople. This could be a good thing – some fans of the original Harvest Moon might prefer a simpler experience – but having different activities usually helps a game stay fun for a long time.

Ultimately, it’s the combination of detailed realism, a first-person view, and a tightly focused gameplay experience that could make Hillshade stand out. Many games, like House Flipper and My Summer Car, have shown that experiencing a simulation world as if you’re actually there can be really engaging. While games like Stardew Valley are easier to play with their simpler graphics and top-down view, Hillshade aims for a more deliberate and immersive farming experience thanks to its unique perspective.

Will Hillshade Farms’ Realistic Graphics Be a Boon or a Bane?

Choosing to tell the story of Hillshade Farms from a character’s perspective will definitely change how the game feels to play. But beyond that, the game’s impressive 3D graphics are worth noting. Like many recent indie games, Hillshade Farms uses modern technology to achieve a level of visual quality that exceeds typical indie expectations, with detailed environments and special effects that create a realistic feel. The game often looks fantastic, particularly in outdoor areas, though it sometimes falls short when it comes to smaller details. Characters, for example, don’t look as polished as the rest of the game, and the animations can appear jerky. The user interface also feels inconsistent and isn’t always visually pleasing.

You can try out Hillshade Farms with a demo on Steam, but be aware that some players have reported issues with how well it runs and occasional crashes, leading to mixed reviews.

Despite its rough edges, Hillshade Farms has a certain appeal. Games like this aren’t successful because they look realistic or have amazing graphics; they succeed when the gameplay itself is fun and engaging. If Hillshade Farms can effectively use its realistic elements, detailed farming simulation, and first-person view, it has the potential to become a truly unique and captivating farming game.

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2026-01-23 19:06