More Simulation + Story-Driven Games Await You!
Rune Factory is what happens when you mix farming simulation and role-playing games. It’s a game that’s full of content for players to seek their teeth in. Unlike other simulation titles, Rune Factory delivers an impressive story with each title that ties into its compelling harvesting gameplay. If you’ve finished playing Rune Factory and are looking for alternatives – fret not! We’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top 8 picks. Of course, for all the games we’ve reviewed, we’ve also added a handy link, so you can check out our full thoughts on that and see if it’s something you want to invest your time in. So without further ado, we present 8 games to check out if you’re looking for a game like Rune Factory.
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley may not share the same third-dimensional graphics as Rune Factory, but it offers an incredible and lively gameplay loop. Both games tackle farming simulation differently but feature similar activities that revolve around the occupation. In Stardew Valley, you can tame livestock and care for them. This allows you to form a bond and fond memories with your creatures as you progress through the game. The game allows you to explore caves and visit nearby homes and buildings. Other than farming and attending fun-filled events, this game also offers a wonderful story. Stardew Valley’s story revolves around a girl who inherits her grandfather’s farmland. Your goal is to help her turn his farmland into something refreshing and spectacular. This will not only bring honor to your grandfather’s name, but it will also lead to refilling Stardew Valley’s citizens’ spirits. Despite having a concrete story, players can enjoy this game in any manner they deem fit. If you’re looking for an incredible pixelated farming simulation game that captures similar energy to Rune Factory, check out Stardew Valley.
Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life
Considering the Rune Factory franchise is an RPG spin-off of the Harvest Moon franchise, it’s logical for this gem to appear here. While the OST in Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life pales in comparison to Rune Factory’s soundtrack, it had a few neat ideas that would crop up in the latter’s franchise. A Wonderful Life offers what you’d expect from a farming game regarding taking care of animals, harvesting plants, and managing your farm. Like Rune Factory, this game also features a marriage system. This marriage system ties into the game’s storyline. The story’s not as grand as those found in Rune Factory, but it’s interesting enough to keep your attention. For example, you’ll choose from various female companions and start a family with them. As you progress through the game, you’ll be able to see your child’s journey into adulthood unfold before your eyes. It’s a beautiful sight with a powerful message. A Wonderful Life also features numerous side quests for you to complete, giving you more things to do in the game. A Wonderful Life set the bar for the franchise. While its visuals and soundtrack may appear outdated, its addictive gameplay and heartwarming story will entice you.
Monster Hunter Rise
Monster Hunter Rise is an action RPG developed by Capcom that pits you up against menacing monsters from all walks of life. It’s the latest installment in the franchise and has received much praise for its addictive gameplay, spectacular visuals, and engrossing soundtrack. Both games feature a plethora of intriguing monsters. Each creature has a unique design and set of abilities to watch out for. Like Rune Factory, Monster Hunter Rise features monsters you can defeat with a few swings and others that will take a great deal of time to take down. Both games offer the player an opportunity to capture monsters. Rune Factory leans more into the monster taming aspect, though. In Monster Hunter Rise, capturing monsters will only grant you the monster’s parts, not the monster itself. Essentially, don’t expect any monster versus monster battles in this game. Monster Hunter Rise features a storyline for you to engage and progress through. The story offers a few twists but isn’t complex or unique. Monster Hunter Rise focuses more of its attention on the gameplay, promising endless hours of fun for old and new players alike.
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles is a relaxing exploration game with a vast open world. This game contains rich environments, a cozy atmosphere, and addictive farming, crafting, and building gameplay. It doesn’t feature the best action gameplay, though. This game leans toward a more peaceful angle than that of Rune Factory. You’ll find yourself exploring this world’s many distinct environments from beautiful beaches to snow-filled summits. Each environment houses different creatures with gorgeous designs. Yonder contains a decent storyline that’s not overly complicated or dramatic. It’s a decent enough narrative that helps players get a feeling for the game and its control scheme. Like Rune Factory, this game offers standard farming gameplay like befriending wildlife, catching fish, and building upon your farm. This is a game that appeals to people who adore exploring peaceful environments. If you’re a gamer that wants to get lost in a world for endless hours, then Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles may be up your alley.
Fantasy Life
Fantasy Life is a role-playing life simulation game with fun game mechanics, a wonderful story, and an intriguing world. While it’s not as jaw-dropping as Rune Factory, this game’s visuals hold enough appeal to keep fans immersed. Fantasy Life takes place in the fantasy world of Reveria where three lands called Castele, Port Puerto, and Al Maajik reside. The rulers of these areas spend their days guiding their citizens toward their ideal life path. Everything is peaceful until a strange purple meteorite comes crashing into your player character’s household. This sets off a chain of events that were foretold in a prophecy by this world’s goddess and moon. At the same time, the meteorites caused Reveria’s wildlife to go berserk as they become engulfed by its terrifying destructive energy. You are called in by Castele’s king to investigate these strange occurrences and hopefully put a stop to them. Like Rune Factory, Fantasy Life mixes RPG and simulation game mechanics well. You’ll find yourself tackling numerous tasks that align with this world’s Life Class system. There are tasks involving you purchasing a house and decorating it with neat items. Fantasy Life also features a wonderful character customization system for players to tamper with. If you’re looking for another colorful world with life simulation mechanics, check out Fantasy Life.
My Time at Portia
My Time at Portia is a stunning life simulation game that echoes the enchanting and colorful feeling you’d get after watching a Studio Ghibli film. This game’s storyline is simple but meaningful. Along with its addictive gameplay mechanics and beautiful setting, there’s a lot to enjoy with this title. In this game, players control a gifted craftsman’s son who inherits his father’s workshop. Unfortunately, his workshop is worn out, and he only leaves you with his handbook and workbench. With these tools, you must help his son mine and craft their way to owning the best workshop in Portia. Like Rune Factory, this game offers more activities for you to take part in besides those centered around the story. For example, players can indulge in numerous conversations with Portia’s locals, delve into dungeons, and get married. This game never interrupts your progress as it simply wants you to play the game the way you want to, be it in short bursts or long sessions. My Time at Portia offers some degree of challenge. You start off the game with weaker tools, but as you progress in the game, you’re rewarded with better tools to make your activities more relaxing and fun. If you’re looking for another incredible simulation game that makes you work for your rewards, play My Time at Portia.
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a fun and story-rich action side-scroller. With its beautifully immersive world and stellar harvesting and action gameplay, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin promise fans a fun-filled time. This game has you control the spoiled harvest goddess Sakuna, who is banished from her home to an island full of demons. As Sakuna, you must rediscover your birthright by fighting monsters and acquiring rice, the source of her mystical abilities. You won’t be tackling this task alone, as the game pairs you up with her guardian Tama and a group of human outcasts. This is a game about self-discovery and companionship. Its narrative will speak and leave a lasting impression on you. As one can tell, Rune Factory and Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin feature a mix of monster-slaying combat and harvesting gameplay. The weapons Sakuna utilizes in battle consist of farm tools. Her attacks range from quick attacks to specials. She’s also bestowed with a magical tool that allows her to grapple distant platforms, avoid enemies, and overcome strong foes.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons may not be as action-centric as Rune Factory, but its life simulation mechanics rival those found in that franchise. This is a game that wonderfully captures the indoor and outdoor living experience. Animal Crossing: New Horizons’s story is simple. You arrive on a deserted island and must make slight improvements to the island over time. However, the island can be decorated, remodeled, and treated in any way you deem fit. The activities you can participate in follow a similar cycle, granting you the freedom to do anything you want. Whether you want to spend your time fishing or building upon your home’s various rooms is up to you. While there are moments where the game forces you to do certain activities, it never holds your hand. This game also feels educational in some aspects. This game teaches you the importance of saving money, making mortgage payments, donating, etc. If you’re looking for a game with a cozy atmosphere and relaxing gameplay loop, Animal Crossing’s a worthwhile purchase. So there we have it, our 8 video game picks to keep you busy after playing Rune Factory. What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!
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