Why do people like simulating farm activities or management? Farm Simulators have been around for quite some time now. Ever since this niche genre hit the shelves, it became more than how it started to be and is now considered a well-known kind of gameplay. It helps that farm games can easily cater to both casual and hardcore players, like the titles developed by Monstera Games. Anyone can dip their toes in, try it out for a few hours, and discover they are already having fun in different measures.

What is the secret to its success? How did such a simple representation of a real-world activity that has existed since nearly the dawn of man become a well-loved category in gaming? Today we will present three things we think are the main contributing factors to such a phenomenon.

Game Loop

Starting with the most obvious and glaring reason as to why people keep coming back to these titles: The Gameplay. You might have been enticed by the depth of strategy required in the management aspects, the allure of setting and attaining goals or just simply looking to spend hours in a relaxing game. No matter the reason for joining in, what is sure to have hooked an audience and kept them lies in the super satisfying loop of actions and activities to be done.

Some of these tasks include setting up your meager operations, planting the first seeds, and taking care of animals. It feels simple initially, but once more systems have unlocked, the urge to be optimized locks you in for hours of playtime. A perfect example of this is the aptly named Farming Simulator; this is a multi-entry series and is one of the most recognizable franchises.

Progression System

As mentioned earlier, gaining access to new equipment and infrastructure for the sake of optimization is an addicting experience. Needless to say, it has to be implemented properly. Developers should not have gamers grind for hours on end for arbitrary goals. They need to feel like they are working towards something rewarding naturally.

Stardew Valley executes this perfectly, and it gives players a general sense of direction as to how to proceed. It provides access to new mechanics affecting things related to crops and how the player character interacts with the game world. This leads to a fulfilling experience anyone would be happy to keep revisiting.

Character

The first two factors can be found in any title and are surely vital to its success. Apparently, those are not enough. To truly be a notable entry, they need to have something unique that would help them stand out from the rest. If a publisher aims to live rent-free in everyone's heads for a considerable amount of time, it would be wise to get something to define their game. It could be graphics, a story, or a never before seen mechanic.

The Rune Factory series comes to mind when looking for a different kind of farming simulation because it adds combat and RPG mechanics to the mix.

In conclusion, a successful game in the farming genre requires three things: a gameplay loop not overstaying its welcome, a progression system with satisfying rewards, and finally, a unique characteristic to set it apart from the rest. It’s important to note that farm simulators deliver a more comprehensive experience than match-3 farm-themed games like Monsteraplay’s Farmehhh, so having these three categories is a must.