Stardew Valley

The quintessential farming and life simulation RPG, developed solely by Eric 'ConcernedApe' Barone. Players inherit a dilapidated farm and must cultivate crops, raise animals, mine, fish, and befriend the residents of Pelican Town. Its open-ended structure offers hundreds of hours of content, including deep character relationships, seasonal events, and combat in procedurally generated caves. Regularly updated for free years after launch, its value is exceptional.

The paid game also supports local and online co-op. It ranks highly due to its incredible depth, charming pixel art, therapeutic gameplay loop, and enduring popularity as a genre-defining title beloved by millions.