Over the years, farming sims have taken off in popularity. Titles like Stardew Valley are household names while others, like Fields of Mistria, are just taking off and finding their footing in the industry. However, how do these two similar games compare to each other? Certainly newer titles learn from older ones, but how do they improve upon them?
Fields of Mistria takes ideas from Stardew Valley and its predecessors to create something new and exciting. Here are some of the best game mechanics it improves upon, along with other tantalizing new aspects that make it shine on its own!
10More Accessible Customization
While Stardew Valley allows you to change your hair, skin, and clothes regularly, it takes a while to unlock the Wizard’s mirror and save up to buy a whole new wardrobe. Plus, you have to store hats and other items when you’re not wearing them.
With Fields of Mistria, you can change your outfit at any time, as many times as you’d like. You can even save up to eight different outfits so you can swap between them, and your wardrobe is a fully accessible menu in your journal. Finally, I can be farm fresh everywhere I go.
9Easier Fishing Minigame
I hate fishing in cozy games. Everyone thinks that they can improve upon the wheel, but there’s no need. I don’t want to fight with a stamina bar on a specific day in rare weather conditions; I just want to catch fish.
Fields of Mistria simplifies things so it’s as easy as clicking a button. Finally, I can catch all those pesky fish and complete the museum wings! Fishing minigames don’t need to be complicated, nor should they be. Plus, it’s easy to find the right body of water since there are multiple access points to the rivers, ponds, and ocean.
8Requests Have No Time Limit
In Stardew Valley, you only have a matter of days to complete requests, and after that, they’re gone–along with the rewards you would have earned if luck had been on your side. Fields of Mistria doesn’t play games like that.
If I want to take two and a half years to bring Juniper water chestnuts, then by the Caldosian gods, I’m going to make her wait. You can take as long as you need to for making deliveries, and there’s no penalty either. No one bats an eye when you finally hand over the goods. They’re just grateful for the help.
7Magic Is Everywhere
Sure, Stardew Valley has the wizard and a witch bog with monsters, but do you get to cast spells and commune with a dragon god and his devoted priestess? No, no you don’t. The closest spiritual experience you can have is meeting with grandpa’s ghost and that one dance Emily does.
You can learn not one, but four different spells. These help grow crops, summon rainstorms, restore your stamina and health, and even let you breathe fire like the dragon god himself. Of course, it takes time to replenish your mana, but it’s worth the wait to cast spells like a wizard.
6The Plot Keeps Thickening
The plot of Stardew Valley is sweet and simple, but it doesn’t carry very far. Even in the late game, things kind of just fall into place, but that’s the vibe. With Fields of Mistria, however, you’re thrown right into the action and get to experiment more with roleplay.
Additionally, the world feels bigger than just the death of your grandfather and the acquisition of the family farm. In Fields of Mistria, you’re part of the community–and you’re the only one that can talk to the long-lost dragon god. Gaining his favor, fixing the town, and delving deeper into the mines is just the start of uncovering the town’s ancient history.
5Rearranging The Farm Reimburses Materials
Nothing is worse than realizing you spent all that time and money to build a barn just to place it one or two spaces off from where you wanted. Stardew Valley lets you move the structures around, but Fields of Mistria allows you to store the animals at daycare, remove the build, store the blueprint, and set everything back up when you’re ready.
Buying a blueprint for a barn is much faster than trekking to Robin’s and buying the structure. Plus, it costs less overall and you may build it immediately with no downtime. Redecorating has never been easier in a cozy farming sim.
4A Diverse Town Of Characters
While Stardew Valley has a wide cast of characters, Fields of Mistria ups the ante with numerous families of all ethnicities. The world is more colorful and lively with a blend of cultures brought together in the small town of Mistria.
Though blended families like Sebastian and Maru’s aren’t present, there are plenty of other families and extended relatives that call the small town home. Additionally, the vibes carry into the merchant sector, where you can access stores any time of day–so no more waiting at the general store just to find it closed on Wednesdays. Just leave the money on the counter.
3Color Rarities Are For Show
Nothing is worse for me than trying to grind my crops into Iridium-quality goods to make them profitable. Begone, fowl farming hierarchy and hello simple star-based systems. Either the product has a star or not–it’s that simple.
Animal rarities have nothing to do with the product, either. The color rarity is simply for show, and you can breed the different colors to purchase later. No more hoping and praying for a blue chicken–just breed one, then fill your coop with them. Did I mention that you can ride different animals, too? Yeah–breed the perfect large animal of your dreams, then select it to be your mount once you’re friends.
2Engaging Community Activities
Forget the community center, Mistria is all about fixing up the town to gain royal favor. The whole community comes together to pitch ideas and repair the damage done after a devastating earthquake. Everyone has something to share, whether about their own life or that of a friend.
If you want to collect seasonal goodies, that’s what the museum is for. Mistria is a place of community culture, like holding roleplaying game session at the inn on Friday nights, celebrating festivals together, and collaborating to make the town a better place. Overall, everyone feels more knit together than the people of Pelican Town.
1Dating Is More Than Just Heart Events
Over the years, Stardew Valley has added more to relationships, like post-marriage events. Fields of Mistria strives to add more variety to different heart events, and while both games let you romance as many people as you’d like, Mistria takes the cake with authenticity and choice.
Additionally, the slow development of the game allows the team of devs to build each relationship carefully and craft swoon-worthy romances. Concerned Ape gets credit for single-handedly crafting one of the most iconic farming sims of all time, but Fields of Mistria takes that concept and runs with it. The newly added date feature is exceptionally enticing!
