New Game Is Like Stardew Valley Set in Ancient China

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Halcyon Days at Taoyuan is a recently released indie game where you build a life and farm, similar to Stardew Valley, but set in Ancient China. It adds unique features like collecting creatures and learning martial arts. Released in late January 2026, the game has been well-received by players and offers a fresh experience for fans of Stardew Valley.

Halcyon Days at Taoyuan, a new game from BotanX (based in Hangzhou) and published by CubeGames, combines relaxing gameplay like farming and fishing with the beautiful scenery and traditions of Ancient China. It became available on Steam for PC players this Tuesday, January 20th.

Halcyon Days at Taoyuan Boasts Promising Early Reviews

After just five days, the game Halcyon Days at Taoyuan is getting positive attention from players. It currently has a 77.93% positive rating on Steam, based on hundreds of reviews – enough to earn it Valve’s “Very Positive” designation. Players seem to especially enjoy how Taoyuan takes the familiar farming and life simulation gameplay of games like Stardew Valley and adds its own unique elements, going beyond just a different setting.

How Halcyon Days at Taoyuan Compares to Stardew Valley

Taoyuan shares similarities with games like Stardew Valley, offering players activities such as farming, fishing, exploring, cooking, decorating their homes, and building relationships with townspeople. However, Taoyuan is more laid-back and doesn’t pressure you to constantly farm to succeed – though you can if you want! It encourages you to try out all its features at your own speed. While some aspects, like cooking, raising animals, and mining, are also in Stardew Valley, they’re often simpler. Taoyuan expands on these with more detailed mini-games, and adds unique elements like martial arts and creature taming to set itself apart.

What Players Are Saying About Halcyon Days at Taoyuan

Okay, so I’ve been checking out what other players are saying about Halcyon Days at Taoyuan, and honestly, everyone seems to love it! The world is super charming, and the pixel art is really unique – it just looks great. But it’s not just pretty; the writing is fantastic. The villagers actually feel like real people, which makes getting to know them and even pursuing romances really engaging. There’s so much to do in the game, too. Seriously, it feels like there’s something for everyone, and people are saying it stays fun even after you’ve put a ton of hours into it. One player, xX_Pidge_Xx, said it ‘absolutely captured their heart,’ and another, Lilli, called it an ‘easy recommendation’ if you’re into games like Stardew Valley and anything cozy. I’m definitely adding it to my wishlist!

This game has absolutely captured my heart.

Some players are finding Halcyon Days at Taoyuan a bit confusing at the start, saying it lacks clear direction and can feel overwhelming. While those familiar with the game adjust more quickly, it still has a steep learning curve until more detailed guides are created by the community. It can take several days to understand how the game works, making it harder to pick up than other farming games on Steam. Other complaints are smaller, but some pop up often. For example, players have noted receiving time-sensitive quests without knowing how to make the required items. A few Steam reviews also criticize the mini-games as being too difficult, though it’s possible to turn them off in the game’s settings.

You can currently get Halcyon Days at Taoyuan on Steam for $10.79 – that’s 10% off its usual price. The discount ends on February 2nd, when the game will return to its regular price of $11.99. While there are no plans for versions on other platforms yet, the developer, BotanX, is working on more updates for the PC version.

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2026-01-26 00:34