Are you a fan of Stardew Valley's charming farming and town simulation but crave a little more action in your life? Do you yearn for the thrill of combat alongside your crop management? You're not alone! Many gamers adore the relaxing loop of farming and social interaction, but sometimes, a sword and a monster are just what the doctor ordered. This article dives into the exciting world of games like Stardew Valley but with combat, offering a blend of farming, crafting, and thrilling battles. Get ready to discover your next favorite adventure!
What Makes a Great Farming RPG With Combat?
Before we jump into specific titles, let's define what makes a farming RPG with combat truly shine. It's not just about slapping some enemies into a farming simulator; it's about creating a harmonious blend of both elements. A great game in this genre typically features:
- Engaging Farming Mechanics: Plant crops, raise animals, manage resources, and build your farm from the ground up.
- Satisfying Combat System: Whether it's real-time action, turn-based battles, or strategic combat, the fighting should be fun and rewarding.
- Meaningful Progression: Level up your character, unlock new skills, craft powerful weapons and armor, and see your farm flourish.
- Compelling Story and Characters: A captivating narrative and memorable characters can elevate the entire experience.
- Exploration and Discovery: Uncover hidden areas, encounter unique creatures, and delve into the world's lore.
Our Top Picks: Farming and Fighting Combined
Now, let's explore some of the best games that successfully blend the charm of farming with the excitement of combat. These titles offer a variety of experiences, from dungeon crawling to monster taming, all while letting you cultivate your own little slice of paradise.
1. Rune Factory 4 Special: A Classic Reimagined
Rune Factory 4 Special is a fantastic starting point for anyone looking for games like Stardew Valley with a strong combat focus. Originally released on the Nintendo 3DS, this enhanced version brings the game to modern consoles with updated graphics and improved gameplay. You play as a hero with amnesia who finds themselves living in a small town and tasked with protecting it. You'll cultivate crops, befriend villagers, participate in festivals, and explore dangerous dungeons filled with monsters.
The combat in Rune Factory 4 Special is action-oriented, allowing you to wield a variety of weapons, cast magic spells, and team up with monsters you've befriended. The game features a deep crafting system, letting you create powerful gear to aid you in your adventures. The story is engaging, filled with quirky characters and unexpected twists. Link to Rune Factory 4 Special review on IGN
2. Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin: Taming and Battling Monsters
While not strictly a farming game, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin offers a compelling blend of monster collecting, turn-based combat, and village building. You play as a Monster Rider, a special individual who can form bonds with monsters and battle alongside them. You'll explore a vibrant world, hatch eggs to collect new Monsties (monster companions), and engage in strategic turn-based battles.
The village building aspect allows you to upgrade your home and other facilities, unlocking new features and benefits. The story is captivating, filled with memorable characters and a compelling mystery. If you enjoy monster collecting and strategic combat, Monster Hunter Stories 2 is a must-play. Link to Monster Hunter Stories 2 review on Metacritic
3. Moonlighter: Shopkeeping by Day, Dungeon Crawling by Night
Moonlighter offers a unique twist on the farming RPG formula. During the day, you manage a shop in a small town, selling items you've acquired from your nighttime adventures. At night, you delve into mysterious dungeons, battling monsters and collecting loot. The gameplay loop is incredibly addictive, as you use your profits from the shop to upgrade your equipment and venture deeper into the dungeons.
The combat in Moonlighter is action-oriented, requiring you to learn enemy attack patterns and utilize different weapons and abilities. The dungeons are procedurally generated, ensuring that each run is unique. The game features a charming pixel art style and a catchy soundtrack. Link to Moonlighter official website
4. Harvest Moon 3D: A New Beginning: Rebuilding a Town, One Crop at a Time
While Harvest Moon is a long-running series known for its farming simulation, Harvest Moon 3D: A New Beginning introduces more robust customization and town-building elements. The game starts with the player arriving in a nearly deserted town and tasked with revitalizing it. While combat isn't the primary focus, there are still monsters to encounter and resources to gather in the surrounding areas.
You'll cultivate crops, raise animals, build new houses and facilities, and attract new residents to the town. The customization options are extensive, allowing you to design your farm and town to your liking. A New Beginning offers a relaxing and rewarding experience for those who enjoy slow-paced gameplay and town management. Link to Harvest Moon 3D: A New Beginning review
5. Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin: A Divine Farming Adventure
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a unique blend of side-scrolling action and rice farming simulation. You play as Sakuna, a spoiled harvest goddess banished to a dangerous island. You must cultivate rice, battle demons, and unravel the mysteries of the island. The rice farming is surprisingly deep and realistic, with various factors affecting the quality of your harvest. A good harvest will then provide stat boosts to Sakuna and will help her in combat.
The combat is fast-paced and acrobatic, allowing you to use Sakuna's celestial garb to grapple and swing around the environment. The game features a beautiful art style and a compelling story inspired by Japanese mythology. Sakuna is a must-play for those looking for a unique and challenging farming RPG experience. Link to Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin official website
6. Staxel: A Customizable Minecraft-Inspired Farming Experience
Staxel combines the blocky charm of Minecraft with the relaxing gameplay of Stardew Valley. While combat is present in the form of dungeons and monster encounters, it takes a backseat to the farming, crafting, and village-building aspects. You'll cultivate crops, raise animals, build your dream home, and befriend the quirky villagers.
The game features extensive customization options, allowing you to design your farm and village to your liking. You can also create your own quests and share them with other players. If you enjoy sandbox games with a farming twist, Staxel is worth checking out. Link to Staxel on Steam
7. Kynseed: A Generational Farming Adventure
Kynseed is a unique and ambitious game that lets you play through multiple generations of a family. You'll manage your farm, run a business, explore the world, and make choices that will affect your family's legacy. Combat is present in the form of monster encounters, but it's not the primary focus of the game.
The game features a charming hand-drawn art style and a quirky sense of humor. You'll encounter a cast of memorable characters and make choices that will have lasting consequences. Kynseed offers a unique and rewarding farming RPG experience. Link to Kynseed official website
8. My Time at Portia: A Post-Apocalyptic Crafting Paradise
My Time at Portia is a charming crafting and farming RPG set in a post-apocalyptic world. You play as a builder who arrives in the town of Portia to restore your father's workshop and help rebuild society. You'll gather resources, craft tools and machines, cultivate crops, raise animals, and explore the surrounding areas.
Combat is present in the form of dungeon crawling and monster encounters. You'll need to craft weapons and armor to protect yourself from the dangers of the world. My Time at Portia offers a relaxing and rewarding experience for those who enjoy crafting, farming, and exploration. Link to My Time at Portia review on Steam
Finding Your Perfect Farming RPG With Combat
Choosing the right game like Stardew Valley with combat depends on your personal preferences. Do you prefer fast-paced action or strategic turn-based battles? Do you want a deep crafting system or a focus on story and characters? Consider what aspects of gaming are most important to you and research the titles that align with your interests.
The Future of Farming RPGs
The farming RPG genre continues to evolve, with new and innovative titles being released regularly. Developers are constantly finding new ways to blend the relaxing gameplay of farming with the excitement of combat and adventure. As technology advances and game design becomes more sophisticated, we can expect to see even more immersive and engaging farming RPGs in the future.
Cultivating Your Own Adventure: Final Thoughts
If you're looking for games like Stardew Valley but with combat, you have plenty of options to choose from. Whether you prefer taming monsters, exploring dungeons, or simply building your dream farm, there's a game out there that's perfect for you. So grab your sword, plant your seeds, and embark on an epic farming RPG adventure!
