While Stardew Valley didn’t kickstart the farming simulator genre, it has certainly become the game to define it, and many games have attempted to put their own twists on its formula ever since. One of the most interesting games like Stardew Valley is a much darker alternative that’s set to release on PS5 consoles in Fall 2026.
Of course, it’s worth noting that Summer 2026 still has several weeks left to go, and some fans may be interested in a different take on Stardew Valley before then. The recent release of Moonlight Peaks may scratch that itch, as it is a more lighthearted gothic take on the franchise formula, and it might be a good palate cleanser before delving into a truly dark Stardew Valley alternative.
Grave Seasons Now Releases in August 2026
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Previously announced to release on August 14, Grave Seasons developer Perfect Garbage and publisher Blumhouse Games have announced a general delay into Fall 2026 (either after August 31 or September 22, depending on the definition of Fall). It was to ensure that it was fully polished ahead of its release, which is always a good reason to delay a game. Grave Seasons will be available for PS5 owners later this year, as well as Nintendo Switch, PC, and Xbox Series X/S (Grave Seasons will launch day one on Xbox Game Pass too).
Scratch & Peek
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as
possible.
For those unfamiliar, Grave Seasons is a pixel life/farming sim where players grow crops, explore a quiet mountain town, build and customize to their leisure, and build relationships with 30+ residents of Ashenridge. It’s the typical farming simulator gameplay twist, with a major twist: a supernatural serial killer is on the loose. Players have to figure out who the serial killer is in Grave Seasons within a year, and every playthrough is different. Every single playthrough chooses a serial killer from a pool of suspects, so the story, victims, and serial killer all change in each playthrough.
In some farming simulators, the farming is there for the economy, and the story focuses elsewhere. In Grave Seasons, the farming and economy are interwoven with the ability to stop the serial killer. Farming generates revenue, revenue generates purchases, and purchases can help players craft occult items to protect potential victims, investigate crime scenes, uncover secrets, and influence who lives and dies. Of course, all good farming sims have romance too, and it’s possible to accidentally romance the serial killer in Grave Seasons.
- Character Customization
- Collect/Discover/Craft Over 600+ Items
- Fish and Farm and Mine to Your Heart’s Content
- Break and Enter into Locals’ Homes
- Stay Awake for 24+ Hours, Days and Nights Matter in Ashenridge
- Changing Seasons Impact the World
- Get to Know 30+ Residents of Ashenridge
- 12 Possible Romances (Some Could Be the Serial Killer)
- Replayability is Key
- And Much More
Find the odd one out before the timer hits zero.
Games like Stardew Valley are a dime-a-dozen, but that doesn’t matter when the genre is so well loved. Some land better than others, though, and the better ones don’t just replicate the formula. Grave Seasons takes the life/farming sim gameplay fans of the genre love and gives it a dark, supernatural twist that should hopefully keep fans invested until its Fall 2026 release. How it ultimately lands remains to be seen, but it definitely knows how to perk up ears.
- Released
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2026
- Developer(s)
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Perfect Garbage
- Publisher(s)
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Blumhouse Games
- Number of Players
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Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
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Unknown
