Although owning a farm may not be for everyone, farming simulators seem to keep getting more popular with every passing day. There are so many reasons why these games are successful, which is only corroborated by the sheer number of games available. Whether it is the classic crops, nostalgic feelings, combat elements, exploration options, or the relaxation of developing plots of land, there are so many qualities that make such games so cherished by so many.

In general, farming sims usually involve being on top of a range of tasks, including harvesting, planning, building, cooking, profiting, interacting, and exploring. So inviting a friend, family member, or a stranger along can make this harvesting ride even more pleasurable, and thankfully, a lot of the best farming games come with some sort of co-op version.

Updated July 20, 2024 by Ana Scheidemantel: As the farming simulation genre grows in the gaming community, more and more multiplayer and co-op options are being perfected. For instance, the cozy Disney Dreamlight Valley upgraded its multiplayer, recently giving gamers an update that allows friends to actually use their Royal Tools when visiting a Valley. This allows for co-op adventures, with friends, mining, fishing and so many other farming activities. Not only that, the sequel to My Time At Portia, is being recognized for its multiplayer facet, as well as the endless mods in Minecraft that allow gamers to use it as a farming sim. There are plenty of worthy farming simulations with unique scenery and gameplay for players to enjoy with a friend, family or a stranger.

11 Dinkum

Metacritic Score: TBD

Besides having elements of Animal Crossing, MySims, Harvest Moon, and other farming classics, Dinkum brings an Aussie flavor to the mix. The game is set on an island inspired by the landscapes of the Australian Outback, where players fish, forage, mine, and take care of crops.

With a survival element, Dinkum also comes with scary predators and animals to hunt. Nonetheless, caring for wombats and a memorable environment are only a few of the reasons why this is one of the best co-op games to play with friends and, overall, one of the best co-op farming sim.

10 Staxel

Metacritic Score: 61

Tending crops, raising animals, fishing, and mining, Staxel comes with all the perks of living a rustic village life and all the essential farming sim elements. With a Minecraft-like style and elements of Stardew Valley, this game focuses on the roots of what makes this genre so special despite lacking in quality at points.

A great sandbox farming sim that allows for a peaceful co-op experience with exploration options. With their friends, players can change their surroundings, discover new areas and ravage the wilds on top of making their farm prosper.

9 Disney Dreamlight Valley

Metascore: 70

Disney Dreamlight Valley is Disney's unique cozy adventure that mixes a life-sim with Disney-like adventures. Featuring Disney and Pixar characters, locations, and more, Drealight Valley has players living in the Dream Caste after Night Thorns appear in the land. Even though it is not strictly a farming sim, it does have a lot of the genre's qualities, like growing crops, catching fish and tending a garden.

Despite having had multiplayer modes for quite a while, it is only recently that the game allowed players to actually modify the land in their friends' valleys. They can mine for gems, water flowers, dig holes, and fish in a friend's valley. The new update allowed this game to become a unique entertaining co-op farming adventure, with hopefully more updates in the future.

8 Farming Simulator 22

Metacritic Score: 75

It is impossible to talk about the genre and not mention the Farming Simulator franchise, which is responsible for making some of the most recognizable job simulators out there. Even though it does not offer couch co-op, Farming Simulator 22 allows players to invite friends to help with their dream farm.

Having most of the common elements of a farming sim—clearing land, growing crops and taking care of animals—the game sticks to a more realistic approach to the "simple life". With authentic machinery, yield planning, tight budgeting and weather variations, players get a meditative yet realistic take on farming.

7 Fae Farm

Metacritic Score: 75

There are so many enchanting elements to a farming sim and Fae Farm doubles on the enchanted elements, bringing some RPG elements to the genre. While shipwrecked on an island, players are given an unused farm to grow their crops, craft items, fish, but also interact with other villagers, combat monsters and explore the map.

Using magic on their farming tasks, players go on a delightful journey with an adorable art style and easy but fun combat. Fae Farm has everything a farming sim needs with a magical touch, allowing players to cook and craft together with their friends.

6 Farm Together

Metacritic Score: 77

The name might give it away, but this is a great game if players want to, well, farm together. Farm Together is the epitome of less is more; players get a barren piece of land, with farming as its main priority, rather than focusing on minigames, romance, combat, or any other side content.

However, players are never alone in their farming journey, as they can plant, decorate, build and farm together with friends or strangers. With a great leveling up system, Farm Together also includes great ways to expand land and build the perfect farm.

5 My Time At Sandrock

Metascore: 80

While My Time At Portia was already a big contender among farming sims, its successor My Time At Sandrock was able to improve on so much, providing players with a combination of village and farming life. Not only can players follow side quests, they can create their own farming company, while also exploring the world, the story, fighting enemies and romancing villagers.

Yet, what makes this standout in relation to its predecessor is the fact that My Time At Sandrock has a multiplayer mode since release, having gamers go on an exciting farming journey together.

4 Minecraft

Metascore: 82

While farming sim might not be the first words that come to mind when talking about Minecraft, this game allows players to make what they want of it. In fact, Minecraft includes all the elements of a farming sim, like exploring, mining, battling and designing.

As players build their farms from scratch, they can also invite friends to help them out with the building, tending crops, herding and breeding animals. Despite the base game having plenty of farming elements, Minecraft also has a variety of great mods for players to dive deep into farming with their friends.

3 Garden Paws

User Score Metacritic: 8.3

Harvesting crops, fishing, and getting to know villagers is more fun when cute animals are involved. Garden Paws substitutes the regular human characters with adorable, customizable animal characters. Players inherit a plot of land from their grandparents and are tasked with making their own house and a great farm, making connections with other animals in town.

Besides all the farming basics, the game allows for customization of characters, crafting and a lot of exploration. Players can invite friends to join them in their farming journey but also in the many villager quests that make this game more immersive.

2 Roots of Pacha

Metacritic Score: 82

Although it is not one of the most well known farming simulators, Roots of Pacha has so much to offer through its co-op mode. Cozy, customizable, and community-centered, this game has everything that makes a good farming simulator but also brings a fresh twist with its setting, letting players scavage through the Stone Age.

Great crops to farm, multiple vegetables to gather, historical tools to unlock, and relationships are at the center of this game, allowing players to interact with their clan and explore this period with friends or family.

1 Stardew Valley

Metascore: 89

This fan-favorite game deserves all the popularity and attention it gets as one of the most iconic, comforting farming games out there. Stardew Valley manages to keep its title through the many updates it has received since its release, like the multiplayer mode added in 2018.

Allowing for a great co-op farming experience, the game has since developed the many ways in which the player can grow crops and raise animals with their friends. Enlisting your friend's help to share chores, mine different resources, and make more profits, makes Stardew Valley a forever-classic among co-op farming simulations.