Best Of
5 Best Farming Simulators on Android & iOS
Truth be told, we could all do with a little break every once in a while. Times are hard, and there's honestly no greater way to unwind than to, you know, line manure over a field. But outside of all the lengthy quest chains and thought-provoking story arcs, something as simple as maintaining a farm can be the breath of manure-filled air we all need.
It's 2022, meaning eyes have been coursing towards games like Elden Ring, as well as all the other threatening releases that line the shelves. But for now, we'll settle for a good old fashioned farming simulator. So, if you, like us, enjoy taking time away from the hustle and bustle of the city life and favor the farmyard as a place to plant roots, then be sure to check out these games on Android and iOS.
5. FarmVille 3
You probably remember the time Facebook used FarmVille to kickstart its long and fruitful career in the gaming industry, I'm sure. As it happens, the old thing is still knocking about, despite its social media platform being burnt out nearly a decade ago. The question you're longing to ask, of course, is whether or not the game is still relevant in this day and age, where simulation games basically overpopulate the market.
While FarmVille 3 does lose some of its original charm from its social media days, it still performs incredibly well on both Android and iOS. The farming components are all present and accounted for, as are the tools to build a booming farmyard with plenty to keep you reaping what you sow. Ignoring the in-app purchases, it's an all-round solid entry to the genre, as well as a shred of proof that old dogs can, in fact, learn new tricks.
4. Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is all the rage these days, and for good reason. Other than the fact it replicates a whole lot of bits and pieces that make up the bulk of the genre, the gameplay itself does tend to push the boat out a few additional miles. At some point, it becomes more than a run-of-the-mill farming simulator, and instead spirals into a second life, right there in the palm of your hand.
On the surface, Stardew Valley is, of course, a farming simulator. Dig a little deeper and you'll notice all the features that give it a little more, say, character. Being able to get married, have children, and even customize homes is merely the tip of the iceberg here. The fact you can do it all in its multilayer mode makes it twice as appealing, for sure.
3. Farming Simulator 20
Ah yes, Farming Simulator. Here lies the bread and butter of the category. Truth be told, there's no beating around the bush with this one. It is what it is, and it does it well. For years, Farming Simulator has rolled out its constant slew of updates, editions, and expansions. Although the Android and iOS instalments stopped back in 2019, Farming Simulator 20 is still very much a worthy accessory to the collective.
Set in North America, the last leg of the Android journey has you building, developing, and managing a plot of land, all of which can be tailored to your own design. True to the genre, the game is made up of planting crops, maintaining livestock, and ploughing through the daily grind while trying to get your foot on the farming ladder. It's 101 material, and we love it.
2. Hay Day
Hay Day definitely flew south of the radar for a lot of people. Although boasting far more than the usual farming sim, its reputation faltered before it ever really had the chance to snag a foothold. But that was back in 2012. Come 2013, and the game went on to rake in the lion's share of the Android sales. By year's end, the game wound up being the fourth highest-grossing game on the market.
Hay Day stems from the same creators of Clash of Clans. Knowing that, and how well maintained the game is even today, sort of gives the curious gamer a reason to venture over to its farming counterpart. Despite being a decade old, Hay Day still pulls in an admirable amount of players, with 13 million Android players alone clocking in to grind out their farms.
1. My Time at Portia
Lastly, it's My Time at Portia, a (you guessed it) farming simulator that hurls a story on top of the usual grind. Like all games of its kind, the bulk of the gameplay revolves around managing a plot of land. However, unlike those that fall under the same hammer, My Time in Portia throws in a range of other genres, with even a bit of dungeon crawling, believe it or not.
Of course, the idea is simple: return an enormous plot of land to its former glory. Use all the right tools to get the job done, and essentially recreate the world according to your own design. It's a farming simulator at heart, but with a whole lot of extra organs to boot. As far as best games in the genre go, we'd say it ranks pretty high on the podium.
So, what's your take? Will you be planting roots in any of the above five this Spring? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.
