Is Fields of Mistria Worth Playing Now?

*Fields of Mistria* made a stunning debut on Steam Early Access in 2024, garnering overwhelmingly positive reviews and receiving its first major update just three months later. With another update scheduled for March 2025, you can currently grab this farm sim for $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 has *Fields of Mistria* earned glowing reviews from both players and critics, but it also secured a spot among *The Escapist’s* top games of 2024 and clinched *Patch Magazine’s* 2024 Game of the Year award. The game is brimming with charming characters, engaging dialogue, and well-crafted questlines. It nails the romance aspect and offers a rich experience in traditional farm sim activities like farming, fishing, mining, and crafting. Having invested over 100 hours of casual playtime, I'm still far from checking off everything on my to-do list, making the game an incredible value for money—a sentiment echoed by many Steam reviewers.

Like other games in its genre, *Fields of Mistria* challenges you to build a new life on a farm within a tight-knit community, but it does so with exceptional flair. While NPCs in games like Harvest Moon and Story of Seasons can sometimes feel flat, the residents of Mistria are richly developed—even those you can't romance. Each character has a variety of greetings and conversation topics that rarely repeat, complemented by detailed designs and seasonal outfits. One standout is Dell; the stick in her fall outfit's pocket is a thoughtful detail that showcases the care put into her character design.

Although *Fields of Mistria* will inevitably draw comparisons to *Stardew Valley* due to its nostalgic pixel art and core gameplay, it distinguishes itself where it counts. The game is more beginner-friendly and less stressful, guiding new players with helpful tips and occasional freebies from townies to kickstart their farm. From the outset, you're provided with an intuitive itinerary to help you learn the ropes and get to know Mistria's residents, encouraging social engagement above all else.

Related: Everything Coming in Fields of Mistria March 2025 Update

In its Early Access phase, *Fields of Mistria* offers a forgiving yet engrossing gameplay experience, with enough challenge to keep you engaged. This has led to comparisons with *Animal Crossing* as well. Many quests span multiple days, especially those involving the restoration and upgrading of community spaces like the mill and the Inn. You'll need all the hints you can gather to figure out your crush's favorite gifts and to catch and donate all the seasonal fish and insects to the museum. (Don't worry, we've got you covered with tips if you need them.)

The sheer volume of content alone justifies the cost, but there's even more on the horizon. Currently, *Fields of Mistria* excels at immersing players in a small yet vibrant community. With 10 romance options available now, two more singles, including the dragon Caldarus, are set to join Mistria. Future updates will increase the current six-heart cap and heart events to ten, introducing marriage, children, and much more.

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.