20 Video Game Clones Better Than The Original

For the longest time, Story of Seasons (formally called Harvest Moon) was the quintessential farming simulator. With a staggering 32 games under its belt, (many of which are highly praised), it didn't seem possible for anything else in the genre to take the crown.

But all that changed in 2016. While in his 20s, Eric Barone served as the sole designer, programmer, artist, composer, animator, and writer for his first game, Stardew Valley. Although Barone hoped his open-ended farm life title would do well, he never expected his passion project to become among the most successful games ever.

Stardew Valley mimics Story of Seasons but offers more... well... everything. Instead of sticking players in a linear loop of planting crops and caring for animals, you can focus on whatever you want, whether it's fishing, foraging, combat, or exploring the social world.

Despite the cutesy aesthetic, Stardew contains an ever-evolving story, since every villager has their own background. Some subplots tackle serious problems, like alcoholism and depression, so you get deeply invested in their lives.

And with a wealth of customisation options, content, gameplay systems, and post-launch support, it's easy to understand why the love for Stardew Valley is still there almost a decade after its release.