Upcoming Steam game Spirit Rancher mixes the farming sim elements of games like Stardew Valley and monster-catching games like Pokemon, and it’s set to launch in early access in 2028. Steam has been a hotbed for indie farming sims since the release of the mega-popular farming sim from ConcernedApe.
The launch of Stardew Valley in 2016 was a landmark release for the gaming industry. The solo project created by ConcernedApe is seen as not only one of the best farming sims ever created, but is often labeled among the best games of all time. Stardew Valley‘s popularity, selling more than 50 million copies to date, helped to inspire a boom in the “cozy game” genre, with many indie developers taking inspiration from the game’s laidback vibes. A new game coming to Steam now looks to mix farming sim gameplay with a variety of fantastical creatures to collect.
Spirit Rancher is a New Steam Game Mixing Farming and Creature Collecting
Indie studio Yangyang Mobile recently unveiled Spirit Rancher as a brand-new game coming to early access on Steam. Players take on the role of the titular spirit rancher, building up their own in-game farm and catching different spirits to help with a variety of tasks. Spirits can be assigned to the player’s farm to perform tasks, ranging from gathering and producing different resources to helping to battle other spirits. Spirit Rancher also looks to put a particular focus on its story, according to the game’s Steam page, which teases a “colorful cast of characters” that players can befriend. Spirit Rancher is currently planned to release for Steam Early Access in 2028.
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Image via Yangyang Mobile -
Image via Yangyang Mobile -
Image via Yangyang Mobile
The trailers for Spirit Rancher hint at an in-game world steeped in mysticism beyond its overall spirit theme. The game features multiple design elements seemingly inspired by Japanese mythology, including trees wrapped with ropes based on shimenawa, used to ward off evil spirits. The game’s main story is also hinted at through some of the preview images, showing the player character meeting with a fairy in the woods and a mysterious location illuminated by candles with giant swords sticking out of the ground.
Spirit Rancher‘s inclusion of Pokemon-like creatures joins a plethora of its contemporaries taking inspiration from the mega-popular monster-catching franchise. Many developers have brought their own spin on the Pokemon formula, including popular games like Cassette Beasts and Temtem, featuring a variety of colorful creatures to collect. Some monster-catching games like Palworld have even experienced breakout success of their own, with the monster-catching survival game selling tens of millions of copies and even getting its own trading card game.
2026 has been a big year for indie games on Steam with multiple critically acclaimed games launching throughout the year. Mewgenics, developed by The Binding of Isaac creator Edmund McMillen, saw massive success following its launch in February, and was recently confirmed to release on consoles on September 8. Hit indie game Slay the Spire also received a follow-up in 2026, with Slay the Spire 2 adding two new playable characters, new enemies, and much more. Spirit Rancher‘s combination of easygoing farming sim gameplay and adorable creatures to collect could position the game as another success story waiting to happen.