New Farming Simulator on Steam Feels Like Stardew Valley by Day and Dying Light After Dark

Stardew Valley-likes are incredibly common on Steam, as ConcernedApe’s beloved indie title has been an inspiration for countless developers. While nothing is a perfect match for Stardew Valley, some games resemble it more than others, such as early access title Fields of Mistria. These games are a great way for Stardew Valley players who have done everything the game has to offer to scratch the same itch, but for fans of the wider farming simulator genre and not just Stardew, creative games that combine aspects of Stardew Valley with wildly different concepts can be just as fun.

This is exactly what the upcoming Steam game Harvest Scream strives to do, as while a lot of the cozy game staples are present, so too are some horrifying creatures that look as if they’ve been ripped straight out of the Dead Space franchise. Harvest Scream takes full advantage of day-night cycles to deliver two vastly different gameplay loops, and if it manages to make both of them enjoyable, it could prove to be a hit. For those interested in a horror-focused spin on Stardew Valley, here’s what to expect from this bold indie title created by Green Vector Games.

Harvest Scream Features at a Glance

Image via Green Vector Games

• ENJOY the game in either singleplayer or co-op.
• FARM during the day and SURVIVE during the night.
• ENGAGE in activities like fishing, beekeeping, gardening, and animal care.
• ROMANCE a mysterious character that may be “more than they seem.”
• AVOID disturbing monsters that roam the nearby forests.
• EXPERIENCE an “emotional” story and dynamic weather.

Harvest Scream Should Have Plenty of Appeal for Stardew Valley Fans

While the fairly realistic art style, first-person perspective, and a plot about being sucked into a horrifying simulation all differ greatly from the king of the cozy game genre, there are plenty of things about this game that will be up Stardew fans’ alley. The daytime aspect of the game has all the cozy game staples to keep players busy, with survivors farming, fishing, gathering wood, and relaxing as best they can before night falls. While the mechanics associated with nighttime serve as the major difference-maker, as fighting enemies in Stardew Valley’s mines doesn’t come close to what Harvest Scream players will be stuck dealing with, the daytime activities like tending to bees seem poised to give gamers a similar level of comfort to their daily farm routines in Stardew Valley.

And while farming may be a required part of Harvest Scream’s simulation more than it is a way to make a profit, players will be able to make small amounts of money from doing their tasks to buy new upgrades and items. This may be done through an impersonal computer screen as opposed to selling things in a town shop, but mechanically, it’s another shared trait. It also seems like there will be at least one NPC to romance. While the romance is described as being appropriately off-putting given the game’s tone and setting, Green Vector Games has stated that “love” is at the heart of its cozy-horror hybrid. With Stardew Valley’s heart events and romances being some of its best features, this info should immediately get the attention of that game’s fans. With some kind of romance offered alongside plenty of farming, as well as optional co-op, there should be enough of a hook here to get curious Pelican Town occupants through the door.

Harvest Scream’s Spooky Nightfall Sounds Very Dying Light-Inspired

Whether hopeful Stardew Valley players stick around, though, will be determined by how much horror they can stomach. Once night falls, players need to leave the safety of their farms to hunt down anomalies in the dark forest. Their goal is to quietly find and repair these without being tracked down and killed by the terrifying, fleshy monsters patrolling the woods. They can seemingly use plush toys to fix the anomalies and ward off the monstrosities, but combat doesn’t seem like it’s a valid option. This premise sounds just like Dying Light’s, but it may actually work better than it did in the beloved zombie game.

While Dying Light’s intimidating nightfall was an awesome idea in theory, and worked as intended near the start of the game, it didn’t take long for players to gear up and become so strong that the volatiles were no longer a threat. Once players could chop through volatiles like they were any other zombie, nighttime completely lost its edge in Dying Light, and players started to confidently parkour around the city just as they did in the day. Harvest Scream, on the other hand, forces players to find anomalies while avoiding creatures instead of fighting back. Powerless protagonists help to keep horror games terrifying, which is something the Outlast series uses to great effect, and the game staying scary for longer should be a boon for Harvest Scream’s replayability.

While Harvest Scream could clearly benefit from cleaner HUD elements, and it remains to be seen if the enemy AI is smart enough to stalk players effectively at nighttime without becoming overbearing, the blend of genres should certainly make for a unique game. Players fortunately won’t have to wait long to see if it lives up to its full potential, as this 2026 game release is currently penciled in to launch by the end of March.