#Which do you have to play? – Destructoid

In the case of cozy farming sims, it looks like Stardew Valley dominates the area. It’s the OG, the function mannequin that some other farming sim aspires to stay as much as. Nonetheless, in 2024, a brand new challenger appeared within the form of Fields of Mistria, however which do you have to play?

In the event you’ve by no means performed a farming sim earlier than and also you’re enthusiastic about diving in, everybody will inform you that Stardew Valley is the perfect place to begin. It’s completed, gives hours of gameplay potential, and there are guides aplenty on all elements of the sport. Nonetheless, is it actually the perfect for everybody? Is there a risk that Fields of Mistria may very well be extra appropriate for some?

As somebody with tons of of hours sunk into every of the farming sims, I’m apparently well-placed to supply a comparability between the 2 video games. Within the pursuits of honesty, I do have a favourite of the 2, however I’ll attempt to be as subjective as attainable when drawing comparisons and contemplating similarities. 

Future updates

Sure, Stardew Valley is what many would think about the OG farming sim, regardless of it being created utilizing direct inspiration from video games corresponding to Harvest Moon. Because it was initially launched again in 2016, Stardew has acquired a number of big updates and has surged previous Harvest Moon by way of recognition, nonetheless repeatedly getting into into the most-played charts on Steam and different platforms. 

By comparability, Fields of Mistria is extremely early into its lifespan. It’s nonetheless in early entry and, due to this fact, not completed to the extent that developer NPC Studios plans for it to be. This does imply that there’s a restrict to what you are able to do, and when you’ve reached the top of the at the moment accessible content material, you’re caught ready for the subsequent replace. I don’t assume that must be some extent towards Fields of Mistria, although. 

With its early entry standing (and ConcernedApe stating he plans to work on Haunted Chocolatier fairly than additional updates for Stardew), Fields of Mistria gives one thing that Stardew Valley not can — potential. 

There can be extra story quests, extra options, extra areas, and simply usually extra to do with each future replace to Fields of Mistria. So sure, you would possibly run out of issues to do quickly, however there’s extra to return. With Stardew, when you’re accomplished, you’re accomplished. That’s not a nasty factor, contemplating the tons of of hours you may sink into one playthrough, however it’s a level to recollect. 

Artwork model

Each Stardew Valley and Fields of Mistria are made utilizing a pixelated artwork model, with sprites for the whole lot which are simply recognizable regardless of their blocky simplicity. Nonetheless, whereas the pixel graphics model in Stardew Valley is now synonymous with video games of its kind, the model employed to make Fields of Mistria is cleaner and extra vibrant when in comparison with the muddy tones featured in Stardew Valley. 

Neither of the artwork kinds is healthier than the opposite, and this level comes down to private choice. The largest distinction is within the characters themselves while you examine the portraits in Stardew Valley with the bigger character photographs in Fields of Mistria. The latter goes with an virtually 90s anime model for its characters, which works properly with the general ‘kawaii’ aesthetic specified by the remainder of the sport. 

Accessibility choices

In the case of accessibility, whereas I’m making an attempt to be goal right here, I can’t assist however admit that Fields of Mistria simply does it higher, particularly after one notable distinction within the second main replace — the flexibility to alter how lengthy a day lasts. I imply, let’s face it: it was left to followers to create mods for that to occur in Stardew Valley, however it’s now one of many fundamental choices in Fields of Mistria. 

And I do know Fields of Mistria very probably discovered that lesson from Stardew Valley, however that doesn’t change the truth that it’s a superb function to have within the recreation itself. Most of the accessibility choices are shared between each video games, however this day-length possibility undoubtedly offers Fields of Mistria the sting.

Whereas we’re on the subject of accessibility, one factor I’ve seen is that the Fields of Mistria settings menu is far simpler to navigate than the choices menu in Stardew Valley. Fields of Mistria separates the settings into particular person labeled classes, making discovering the particular setting you want straightforward. Stardew Valley, however, lumps all the settings into one lengthy record that you just’ll have to endlessly scroll down and hunt for particular settings.

Character motion

At this level, I’m throwing objectivity out of the window, and I’ll brazenly say that Fields of Mistria completely dominates in terms of character motion. Why? As a result of you may leap and swim. Once more, followers have made mods so as to add each leaping and swimming into Stardew Valley, however it’s only a fundamental function in Fields of Mistria, and I’m not ashamed to confess that it made me terribly pleased once I first dived in to play tons of of hours in the past. 

You possibly can swim in any water simply by leaping into it, and there are gameplay mechanics corresponding to Fish Colleges and Diving Spots that depend on the flexibility to swim. Leaping won’t be a mandatory mechanic in a farming sim, however it’s virtually liberating merely to have the ability to. You possibly can leap off ledges to keep away from going the great distance round, you may leap over obstacles, and you’ll hop from place to put in case your coronary heart needs. It’s good. 

Character customization

After creating your character in Stardew Valley, you’re caught with them as they’re till you attain 4 hearts of friendship with the Wizard to realize entry to his basement and the Shrine of Illusions; then you definitely’ll have to spend 500 Gold each time you a lot as wish to change your hair since you’re feeling slightly bit bored of your present model. It’s all a bit sophisticated. 

In Fields of Mistria, the choice to alter the whole lot about your character, together with their hair, title, and garments, is correct there from the very starting, and it’ll value you completely nothing to alter issues up a bit. Whereas it’s not a giant factor, with the ability to change your title (and even the title of your farm) is a stunning choice to have. 

Pronoun choices

Stardew Valley doesn’t function pronouns. Whilst you can decide between a female and male character, that’s the restrict of your choices in terms of your gender identification. With many gamers figuring out as non-binary, being able to change up your pronouns at any time with out fuss is certainly a welcome one. Fields of Mistria gives this as a fundamental possibility at any time.

Is it strictly mandatory? No. Is it inclusive? Sure. Is it a welcome change on the planet of gaming to incorporate this selection for many who really feel seen by it simply being there? Completely. There are numerous choices, starting from fundamental she/her or he/him to he/they and it/its. In a world the place everyone seems to be (or must be) free to be who they really really feel they’re, and gender dysmorphia is a real drawback confronted by lots of people, being able to be addressed as you wish to be is a welcome addition. 

Fishing mechanics

I’ve written about my conflicted emotions in the direction of fishing in Stardew Valley earlier than, however even now, I feel that the mechanic in ConcernedApe’s recreation is overcomplicated and irritating. You will get the grasp of it, however it’s all a little bit of a studying curve, and it’s straightforward to mess up and lose the fish. If it’s a fundamental fish that you just don’t want, that’s tremendous, however it turns into extra of an issue in the event you’re trying to find legendary fish. 

Fishing in Fields of Mistria is easy, extra like Animal Crossing than some other recreation I might examine it to. You see a fish, you solid, the fish touches the bobber a few instances, after which when it bites, you click on as soon as. Voila, fish! It’s a easy mechanic, however that’s what makes it enjoyable. You possibly can spend hours fishing to extend your fishing expertise, and finishing Museum collections is straightforward so long as you could find the precise fish. 

Magic

If you need a contact extra fantasy in your gameplay, then Fields of Mistria is certainly for you. Admittedly, there are a Witch and Wizard in Stardew Valley (full with their very own sophisticated and doomed love story), however if you wish to really use magic to make your life simpler, then Fields of Mistria wins this spherical. 

There are at the moment 4 spells, all of that are helpful of their method and even used to progress the story when you attain a sure level, notably Dragon’s Breath. Stardew has its personal kind of magic, with teleportation that unlocks finally, however that’s about it. 

Animals and breeding

In a normal sense, Fields of Mistria appears like a simplified model of Stardew Valley. That’s not a nasty factor, thoughts you. Gaming doesn’t should be and shouldn’t all the time be sophisticated. Nonetheless, whereas a lot of the gameplay in Fields of Mistria feels fairly simple, breeding animals takes issues up a notch. 

In Stardew Valley, you purchase animals from Marnie, they usually offer you substances to promote or use. The standard of those substances will increase relying on how a lot your animals such as you. In Fields of Mistria, you should buy animals from Hayden, however you may also breed them. 

Breeding animals will lead to new animals, and there are a number of totally different Tiers of rarity for every animal. The rarest are seasonal animals, birthed or hatched inside a particular season, after which comes the gold-colored Tier 5s. To get a Tier 5 animal, it is advisable to breed two Tier 4 animals, and so forth. 

One other level for Fields of Mistria comes from Animal Cosmetics. All animals have their very own hats and different equipment that may be worn. It solely provides to the elevated cuteness of the beasties in Fields of Mistria over these in Stardew Valley, for my part.

Talent system

Each have a number of totally different expertise that may be elevated to unlock new issues. In Stardew Valley, every ability has 10 ranges, with every stage rewarding new gadgets or recipes that will help you alongside the best way. After reaching stage 10 in all ability, you’ll be capable to unlock the Mastery Cave for extra rewards. 

In Fields of Mistria, there aren’t any particular person stage rewards for any of the talents, and every of them can at the moment enhance to stage 45. Nonetheless, there are Talent Perks to unlock each 5 ranges in every ability, unlocking further options or talents that assist velocity issues alongside. 

Stardew Valley Vs. Fields of Mistria: Which do you have to play?

We’ve lined the key variations and similarities between each video games, however on the finish of the day, which one appeals extra to you’ll be completely private. In the event you’re searching for one thing extra fanciful and magical, then Fields of Mistria is the successful alternative. If you need one thing extra sensible (in a method), then Stardew Valley comes out on prime. 

I feel it’s clear by now that my favourite of the 2 is Fields of Mistria. The ’90s anime aesthetic and magical components enchantment to me extra, and I like the flexibility to customise my character at any time when I like. Each supply the flexibility to craft and beautify the farm as you see match, however the gadgets in Fields of Mistria are extra to my style. 

That’s to not say that I don’t take pleasure in Stardew Valley, although. I’ve sunk tons of of hours into my farm, however the lack of potential additional content material or options means I’ve run out of issues to do wanting beginning another time. However, in the event you’ve not begun a playthrough in both, the tons of of hours price of gameplay in Stardew Valley is certainly an interesting prospect.

The early entry standing of Fields of Mistria means there’s extra to return, and that’s all the time thrilling. After all, you would possibly wish to wait till the sport is out of early entry earlier than taking the plunge, and that’s a sound choice. Nonetheless, even in its early entry state, there are upwards of fifty hours of story gameplay to work by means of with out counting further options like exploring the mines or work to do on the farm.