Is Fields of Mistria Worth It Right Now?

*Fields of Mistria* burst onto the scene in Steam Early Access in 2024, receiving glowing reviews and its first major update just three months later. With another update scheduled for March 2025, you can grab this farm sim for just $13.99 on Steam. But is it worth the hype in its current state?

Is Fields of Mistria Worth It in Early Access?

Not only did *Fields of Mistria* receive stellar reviews from both players and critics, but it also made it to *The Escapist’s* list of the best games of 2024 and clinched *Patch Magazine’s* 2024 Game of the Year award. The game is packed with charming characters, engaging dialogue, and well-crafted questlines that perfectly capture the essence of romance. It offers a robust mix of farming, fishing, mining, and crafting, all of which are genre staples. I've spent over 100 hours casually playing and still have plenty to do, making the game an incredible value at any price—a sentiment echoed by many Steam reviewers.

Like other farm sims, *Fields of Mistria* challenges you to transform a plot of land into a thriving farm while integrating into a tight-knit community. However, it excels by giving its NPCs depth and personality, even those you can't romance. The townsfolk of Mistria have a variety of greetings and talking points that rarely repeat, and their detailed character designs and seasonal outfits add to the charm. Take Dell, for instance; the small detail of a stick poking out from her fall outfit showcases the thoughtful design that went into every character.

While *Fields of Mistria* may draw inevitable comparisons to *Stardew Valley* due to its nostalgic pixel art and core gameplay, it sets itself apart where it counts. The game is more beginner-friendly, offering tips and occasional freebies to help you get started. It provides an intuitive itinerary to follow as you settle into your new farm and get to know the residents, emphasizing community engagement from the start.

In its Early Access phase, *Fields of Mistria* strikes a balance between being forgiving and challenging, keeping players engaged. This has led to comparisons with *Animal Crossing* as well. Many quests take more than a day to complete, especially those involving the restoration and upgrading of community spaces like the mill and the Inn. You'll need all the hints you can get to figure out your crush's favorite gifts and to catch all the seasonal fish and insects for the museum.

The game's extensive content alone justifies its price, but there's more on the horizon. Currently, *Fields of Mistria* does an excellent job of immersing players in a small, story-rich community. With 10 romance options available now and two more singles, including the dragon Caldarus, set to join the game, future updates will increase the heart cap and heart events to ten, introducing marriage, children, and much more.

Related: Everything Coming in Fields of Mistria March 2025 Update

NOTE: Fields of Mistria is currently in Early Access and content is subject to change. The above info is accurate as of Version 0.12.4 and will be updated as necessary if anything changes.

Fields of Mistria is available to play now in Early Access.