Top 20 games where you farm, grow, and defend your plants

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Ignacio Weil

Gaming - November 16th 2024, 15:00 GMT+1

About this gallery:

For this gallery, we decided to take a deep dive into games where plants are the real stars—ranging from chill simulators all about cultivating greenery to intense titles where it’s do-or-die as you defend your crops. And, as always, we’re sticking to just one game per franchise to keep it fresh.

Think we missed an essential pick for every green thumb enthusiast out there? Drop it in the comments and let us know! | © Milkstone Studios

20. The Garden Path (2024)

*The Garden Path* isn’t just about planting a few flowers; it’s a soothing, hand-drawn experience that feels like stepping into a cozy watercolor painting. In this relaxing world, you’ll grow plants, befriend quirky characters, and create your own little paradise, all at your own pace. It’s more about embracing nature than saving it from marauding zombies or crops gone rogue, making it the perfect game for anyone who loves their greens with a side of tranquility. Just don’t get too attached to those plants—they have a life of their own! | © carrotcake

19. Sun Haven (2023)

In *Sun Haven*, farming meets fantasy with a dash of magic and adventure. Imagine Stardew Valley but with dragons, spells, and dungeons to explore. This game lets you build your farm and even decide if you want to play as an angel, a demon, or something in between. Whether you’re casting spells to grow crops or wielding a sword to fend off monsters, there’s never a dull moment in Sun Haven. It’s farming for those who want a touch of the extraordinary! | © Pixel Sprout Studios

18. Roots of Pacha (2023)

Take a step back in time and experience farming like our ancient ancestors did. *Roots of Pacha* has you discovering agriculture, domesticating animals, and building a village from scratch in the Stone Age. There’s a lot of digging, planting, and innovation here, and it’s all about surviving together as a community. The best part? You can play with friends, so you’ll never be alone in your quest to figure out which crops grow best in this ancient world. | © Soda Den

17. Littlewood (2020)

*Littlewood* is the farming game for those who just want a bit of peace. After saving the world from dark forces, your hero returns to build a lovely little town where they can garden, fish, and craft to their heart’s content. It’s pure, wholesome fun where the biggest challenge might just be deciding where to plant your flowers. With its cheerful graphics and low-stress gameplay, Littlewood feels like a big, warm hug. | © Sean Young

16. Rune Factory 4 (2012)

This is where farming meets classic RPG adventure. In *Rune Factory 4*, you’ll be raising crops by day and fighting monsters by night, all while trying to woo the town’s residents with gifts from your bountiful harvest. It’s a quirky mix of romance, combat, and gardening that somehow works, making every day feel like an adventure. Plus, with magic spells to help tend to your fields, you’re not exactly your average farmer here. | © Neverland Co.

Plants vs Zombies — 15. Plants vs. Zombies (2009)

*Plants vs. Zombies* is the classic game that puts your plants to the ultimate test. In this tower defense game, you’ll be planting sunflowers, peashooters, and all sorts of quirky plants to fend off waves of cartoonish zombies trying to storm your lawn. It’s fun, silly, and endlessly addictive – who knew that gardening could be this intense? It’s a classic for a reason, and still stands out as one of the best games about defending your green friends. | © PopCap Games

Story Of Seasons Pioneers Of Olive Town — 14. STORY OF SEASONS: Pioneers of Olive Town (2021)

*Pioneers of Olive Town* brings you back to basics, but with a fresh twist. As a young farmer in a sleepy town, you’ll be clearing land, growing crops, and building up your farm bit by bit. But it’s not all hard work—there are festivals to enjoy, relationships to build, and animals to raise. It’s all the best parts of classic farming games with a polished, modern feel, perfect for both newbies and farming game veterans alike. | © Marvelous Inc.

13. Lightyear Frontier (2024)

Ever wanted to farm on an alien planet? *Lightyear Frontier* lets you do just that, using high-tech mechs to grow crops and explore a colorful, otherworldly environment. It’s farming with a sci-fi twist, where your tools are just as futuristic as the flora and fauna around you. There are no zombies to fend off here, but you will need to use your wits to survive and thrive in this new world. It’s farming, reimagined for the space age. | © Frame Break

12. Atomicrops (2020)

This is farming meets bullet hell. In *Atomicrops*, you’re in a post-apocalyptic world, growing mutated crops while defending them against mutant pests, bandits, and whatever else crawls out of the wasteland. Every night is a battle to survive, and every crop harvested is a hard-won victory. It’s quirky, intense, and a bit of a mad dash, but if you’re up for the challenge, Atomicrops is an absolute blast. | © Bird Bath Games

11. Travellers Rest (2021)

Part farming, part innkeeping, *Travellers Rest* lets you grow ingredients for your tavern recipes, brew ale, and cook up feasts for your guests. It’s like Harvest Moon for medieval bartenders, with a cozy vibe that’s hard to resist. There’s always something new to discover, from crafting furniture to expanding your tavern, and all of it hinges on what you can grow and harvest. Perfect for anyone who’s ever wanted to run a farm and an inn! | © Isolated Games

Cropped Farming Simulator — 10. Farming Simulator series (2008 - Present)

The *Farming Simulator* series is the gold standard for realistic farming games. Here, you’re not just playing farmer; you’re operating actual farming machinery, plowing fields, planting seeds, and managing livestock in detail. There’s no storyline, no fantasy—just a straight-up, authentic farming experience. If you’ve ever wanted to see what it’s like to work on a real farm, without the dirt, this series is for you. | © Giants Software

Sakuna Of Rice and Ruin — 9. Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin (2020)

*Rice and Ruin* combines farming and Japanese mythology in an unexpected, delightful way. You’re a goddess tasked with growing rice, and every step of the process, from tilling to harvesting, is lovingly detailed. But it’s not all peaceful farming—you’ll also be battling demons in action-packed sequences. It’s a unique blend of genres that makes you appreciate the art of rice farming while keeping you on your toes. | © Edelweiss

My Time at Portia — 8. My Time At Portia (2019)

In *My Time At Portia*, farming is just the beginning. You’re tasked with rebuilding a town by gathering resources, crafting, and yes, growing crops. This game has a bit of everything: combat, exploration, relationships, and of course, farming. It’s charming, filled with quirky characters, and feels like stepping into a post-apocalyptic Studio Ghibli film. There’s so much to do in Portia, you’ll be hooked for hours. | © Pathea Games

7. Slime Rancher 1 & 2 (2017, 2022)

There’s nothing quite like wrangling jiggly slimes for a living! In *Slime Rancher*, you’re not growing traditional crops; instead, you’re farming adorable slimes that come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. There’s something endlessly satisfying about exploring, capturing slimes, and turning them into a bouncy, vibrant farm. It’s a lighthearted, addictive adventure with a bit of farming magic that’s impossible not to love. | © Monomi Park

6. Wylde Flowers (2022)

*Wylde Flowers* gives you a cozy farming experience with a magical twist. You’ll grow crops, raise animals, and even cast spells to help things along. With a warm and charming atmosphere, it’s perfect for those who want a touch of enchantment with their farming. It’s a game that feels like a fairytale, with characters and stories as vibrant as the crops you plant. It’s hard not to feel enchanted with every day on the farm. | © Studio Drydock

Cropped Harvest Moon — 5. Harvest Moon series (1996 - Present)

*Harvest Moon* is the classic farming series that inspired nearly every other farming game on this list. From growing crops to raising animals and befriending the townsfolk, it’s the original farming simulator that holds up to this day. Every game in the series brings a different charm, and whether you’re a fan of the classics or the newer titles, it’s easy to see why this series has stood the test of time. | © Natsume

4. Farm Together (2018)

For those who prefer a more social farming experience, *Farm Together* lets you build and tend to a farm with friends. You can grow crops, decorate your land, and invite others to help you manage it all. It’s relaxing, wholesome, and filled with endless customization options that make your farm feel uniquely yours. If you’ve ever wanted to team up and cultivate a virtual paradise, this game’s got you covered. | © Milkstone Studios

3. Strange Horticulture (2022)

If you’ve ever wanted to run your own occult plant shop, *Strange Horticulture* is the game for you. Here, you’re identifying mysterious plants, brewing potions, and uncovering secrets in a dark, atmospheric world. It’s more puzzle than planting, but it’s an intriguing twist on the typical farming genre. With each customer, you’re drawn deeper into a strange and eerie story that’ll keep you hooked. | © Bad Viking

Cropped Animal Crossing — 2. Animal Crossing (2001 - Present)

In *Animal Crossing*, farming takes a backseat to island life, but growing flowers, fruits, and trees is still a key part of the experience. There’s no real pressure here—just plenty of time to plant, fish, and decorate your perfect island. It’s all about the slow life, and every day brings something new, from seasonal events to random island visitors. It’s easy to see why so many people have fallen in love with this cozy, relaxing world. | © Nintendo

1. Stardew Valley (2016)

*Stardew Valley* took the world by storm with its heartfelt take on farming, relationships, and small-town life. You’ll grow crops, raise animals, explore caves, and become friends with the locals, all while building the farm of your dreams. It’s a beautiful blend of simplicity and depth, with just enough surprises to keep you coming back year after year. If you haven’t tried it yet, be prepared—it’s wildly addictive! | © ConcernedApe

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Welcome to a world where green thumbs meet fierce defenders! In this list, we’re diving into the top 20 games that aren’t just about peaceful farming—they throw in a bit of action, strategy, and plant-protecting thrill. From cultivating vibrant crops to facing down waves of pesky invaders, these games combine the relaxing joys of gardening with the heart-pounding excitement of defense.

Whether you're a budding farmer or a tactical strategist, these games promise plenty of plant-growing fun with a twist. Ready to farm, grow, and defend? Let’s dig in!

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Whether you're a budding farmer or a tactical strategist, these games promise plenty of plant-growing fun with a twist. Ready to farm, grow, and defend? Let’s dig in!