PSA: You Don’t Have to Wait Until 2026 to Play the Biggest Stardew Valley-Like Game

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Lots of relaxing games are coming out, and that’s a good thing! While games often let us escape from our problems, ‘cozy games’ really focus on providing a stress-free experience. With the world being so hectic, this kind of calming gameplay is really appealing. Because of this, cozy games have become increasingly popular. Games like *Stardew Valley* have become benchmarks for the genre, inspiring other developers. *Fields of Mistria* is a great example – it’s a farm life simulator and one of the best cozy games available right now.

Although *Fields of Mistria* is slated for a full release in 2026, players eager for a relaxing, *Stardew Valleylike experience don’t have to wait that long. The game launched in early access on Steam last August and has already received an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating from almost 18,000 players. While other cozy games have achieved similar ratings since *Stardew Valley*, *Fields of Mistria* stands out due to its large and dedicated fanbase, and its unique approach to the genre, even in its current early access form.

What Fields of Mistria Is (And Why People Care)

Fields of Mistria is a relaxing farm life RPG with dating aspects that fans of games like Stardew Valley and Harvest Moon have been enjoying since its early release last year. It combines familiar elements of the cozy genre – farming, raising animals, mining, crafting, and building relationships – with a compelling story and an interesting magic system. Players take on the role of someone who inherits a neglected farm in the village of Mistria, which has been damaged by earthquakes, and must rebuild the town while discovering the secrets of the land.

Fields of Mistria’s features and systems:

  • Character creation and customization includes hairstyles, cosmetics, pronouns, appearance.
  • Four seasons and weather cycles that influence crop growth, forage, insects, fish.
  • Over 50 crops to plant and grow across seasons.
  • Animal raising and breeding, plus giving animals toys and dressing them.
  • Crafting, cooking, and blacksmithing, with hundreds of craftable items.
  • Museum with a collectibles system: donate fish, bugs, flora, archaeology finds, etc.
  • Underground exploration with combat, loot, and enemies.
  • Magic system which sees players gathering essence from tasks and unlocking skills and spells.
  • Over 400 items for home and farm customization.
  • Fully functioning town reputation system.
  • Over 30 characters with dynamic routines, and a gift, dialogue, and heart system.
  • Romance and heart events up to 8 hearts, with dating options and a best friend route.

Fields of Mistria has everything needed to be a fantastic cozy game, and its early success suggests it could become as popular as Stardew Valley when it officially launches. The developer’s dedication to constantly improving the game with large updates – including a significant Mines Update planned for early 2026 before the full release – is a major reason for its popularity. This kind of commitment often resonates with players and could lead to a very successful launch next year.

Why Stardew Valley Fans Should Dive Into Fields of Mistria Now

Even though *Fields of Mistria* is still being developed and a full release is likely less than a year away, fans of cozy games like *Stardew Valley* might want to hold off until version 1.0. That said, there are also good reasons to start playing the early access version right now.

Fields of Mistria already offers over 40 hours of gameplay, making it a worthwhile purchase even with the full version still in development. The game is surprisingly refined for an early access title, receiving positive feedback for its characters, art style, and smooth gameplay. Plus, the developers are consistently updating the game, so players who join now can follow its progress and enjoy a more rewarding experience when the final version releases.

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2025-10-12 20:35