Stardew ValleyandFields of Mistriamay seem like very similar games with a similar premise in which the player character comes into a piece of land to cultivate while integrating themselves into a small, established community. Once played in earnest, however, the similarities end, with both games offering very different experiences of the cozy game genre.Stardew Valleywas released in 2016 and has an established player base with years of developer support, whileFields of Mistriais only a few months into Early Access.
ComparingFields of Mistria’s features toStardew Valley’s would be unfair consideringFields of Mistriais in Early Access, so this article will focus on the themes, intended outcome and storylines, and features of each game, and how they differ in terms of intention rather than quantity. WhileFields of Mistriais still in Early Access,it’s still worth playing as it has over forty hours of written content, with dozens of hours more for farming and customization.
Stardew Valley’s Scope Versus Fields of Mistria’s Magic
Setting
Stardew Valleyis set in the rural village of Pelican Townand features modern technology, with magic and fantasy creatures in the background. These fantasy elements play a lesser role in its setting than they do inFields of Mistria, where magic is the foundation of its world, from the art style inspired by 90s shoujo anime to the magic system and major storyline involving a dragon.
Gameplay and Customization
Stardew Valley’s gameplay mechanics are virtually limitless, with dozens of options for players to customize their farms. AsFields of Mistriais still in Early Access, options are more limited, but there are still many different decor sets to craft, allowing players to create a variety of farm styles.Fields of Mistriaalso includes integrated quality of life improvements that vanillaStardew Valleydoesn’t include, such as shops that are open all day, every day, watering cans that don’t need to be filled, and quests that don’t have a timer. The player can use spells inFields of Mistriato summon rain, restore stamina, grow plants, and summon destructive fire.
Ranching
Stardew Valleyhas far more types of animals available, from chickens and pigs to ostriches and even slime, whileFields of Mistriais more limited in its offerings. However,Fields of Mistriahas a more robust ranching system, with a mechanic to breed animals to unlock rare colors and cosmetics. An animal festival was added with the recent March update, which allows players to win prizes for their small and large animals.
Features Not Implemented in Fields of Mistria’s Early Access
Social Features
Stardew Valleyincludes a dynamic social system in Pelican Town and encourages the player to interact with the townsfolk, each with their own storyline. There are twelve romance candidates, each with the option of marriage and children.Fields of Mistriacurrently has heart events—up to six hearts for romance candidates—but no explicit romance content in Early Access yet. Once launched, it will also include marriage and children. However, even in Early Access, Mistria feels like a real community as the townsfolk interact with each other and build relationships outside the player’s influence.
Mods
Modding has been a big part ofStardew Valleysince 2016, with its modding community still active nearly ten years later. Mods forStardew Valleyinclude quality-of-life improvements such as time adjustments, expanded dialogue, and pet additions.Fields of Mistriahas mod support, but its modding community is nowhere near as robust asStardew Valley’s yet. Popular mods forFields of Mistriainclude portrait, sprite, and mana mods to adjust the cost of mana to cast spells.
