For the first time in a decade, I'm playing a farming sim that isn't Stardew Valley. It's called Fields of Mistria, and since picking it up for $14 on my Steam Deck two weeks ago, I've spent 34 hours building a new life – and, er, ignoring my real one – in the titular town of Mistria. There are familiar comforts. I farm, fish, raise livestock, try my hand at artisanal crafts, and brave monster-infested mines; befriending townsfolk by forcing eggs upon them.
But Fields of Mistria's RPG roots run deep. While in-game days are still measured by strict 2AM bedtimes and limited stamina, you're otherwise free to spend your time however suits, with no deadlines on quests or townsfolk requests. Combined with the fact that there's so much to do – with many trainable skills to achieve the overarching goal of raising Mistria's reputation – Fields of Mistria lays out an easy-going vibe and sticks to it, offering a world I can't resist slowing down for.
All-season chill
As a long-time Stardew Valley fan, here's why I'm converting to Fields of Mistria
Previously, I've bounced off slice-of-life games like Tales of the Shire and Palia because there wasn't enough to do. That's ironic, given the genre is largely about intentionally slowing down and living life day-by-day, but without enough of a motivator – a museum to stock, or getting to know a villager I'm smitten with – I can't buy in. The reverse is also true. With Stardew Valley, for example, restoring the community center becomes such a singular goal that it takes over my playthrough. It's a productivity trap: there needs to be a strong foundation for me to want to build tens of hours upon, but too much busywork risks upending the casual fantasy I come to games like Stardew Valley for.
In Fields of Mistria, everything is worthwhile. Smithing, carpentry, and cooking can all be as profitable as farming, and while that means money is easily made, there's no shortage of places to spend it. Some expenses are practical (stone and wood are crucial for Mistria's various building projects, but pricey) and if you don't like smithing, you can buy improved tools from the local blacksmith instead of making your own.
With so much to do and no time pressure to rush me through it, I've been able to lean into Fields of Mistria's easy-living fantasy. Because gold isn't the be-all and end-all here, it's alright to spend on little things – like two lattes at the Saturday Market (one for me and one for my future wife Juniper), or a fancy bookshelf from the next stall over. Sure, some mornings I'll beeline to the mine to further my quest to reach the bottom, but that's because I want to. Just as often, I'll take a day to mind the farm, laying the paved path and picket fence I've been plotting out all week, or decorating my cottage to maximize its rustic coziness.
The only other game I've played where every avenue feels so meaningful is Old School RuneScape (OSRS). Like Fields of Mistria, OSRS is unique in the sense that no single pathway is a 'correct' use of your time. Some players dedicate their accounts solely to leveling non-combat skills – my vice is spending too much on my house – and like Mistria, there is so much to be done that I never feel like I'm wasting my time. So what if I want to stick a film on and chop trees instead of fighting bosses? That's woodcutting XP, baby!
Slowly playing Fields of Mistria makes for a cozier world, but it also creates a better game. I've just reached my second spring, and because I didn't prioritize hoovering up all season-specific museum donations the year prior, there's plenty left to do. Besides the museum, there are still unfulfilled requests from last spring to complete, competitions to win, and a certain bathhouse owner to woo.
I'll get to it all eventually. But by approaching Fields of Mistria as I would the best RPGs – playing not to complete them, but to stoke immersion – I'm settling in for the long haul, and recommend you do the same. If you're jumping into Mistria for the first time now that it's fully released, be sure to take things easy. Walk for the sake of it. Pop by the inn on Friday night. So much work has gone into making Fields of Mistria feel like a living, breathing world, and it would be a shame to let it pass you by.
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