The Ranchers for Windows

Open-world country life sim for PC

The Ranchers is a premium simulation title by developer RedPitzStudio for PC. It's a farming simulator wherein players can live out their dreams of running their own ranch, building a dream house, and finding success and happiness in the countryside. It also features online co-op with up to 3 other friends.

Similar to Stardew Valley or My Time at Portia, The Ranchers offers players a well-rounded experience that will have them go through the motions of building their ranch from start to finish. It also features a vast open world to explore and build a community in.

Is it any good?

The Rancher is basically what you get if you combine The Sims and Stardew Valley together in a single game. Its looks and presentation are reminiscent of recent releases from the popular simulation franchise that features cartoonish 3D designs and graphics. Meanwhile, its various farming gameplay mechanics and open-world exploration take cues from the ever-popular Stardew Valley. It takes two popular concepts, and melds them to interesting results.

The game simply looks nice. The game is quite polished — from the charming character models to the vibrant and detailed world, and the smooth animations. The gameplay is also surprisingly deep and complex, as well. You start by building and developing your ranch, but that is only part of the loop. Improve your character to specialize in certain fields, explore the vast open world and go on random adventures.

What's more, you can take advantage of the Auction Market to buy or sell resources and rare finds with other players online. Meanwhile, the Trade Guild keeps things fresh by offering seasonal events that host challenges for exclusive rewards and bonuses in-game. There's a lot to look forward to once the game officially releases. It's set to enter Early Access, but there is no exact date for it yet.

Similar isn't always bad

In conclusion, while The Ranchers is a game that seems to draw inspiration and concepts from various other games, there's no denying that the way it presents itself is rather polished and uniquely charming in its own right. If you're a fan of farming sims, it's an interesting option to consider and worth checking out when it officially releases.