Dark Farming Games

[@scringlinbo]

made this dark twisted version of harvest moon... just a glimpse into my messed up hell that's my mind.

[@aratyoutuber]

First reply. 😊

[@pompomperidot]

Honorable mention for horror farming simulator, Pumpkin Panic. A lot of people streamed it around Halloween. It doesn't have as much of a story line, but you are farming for a goal and it is scary as shit

[@leroyjenkins1249]

YES! My thoughts exactly! For others: The main joy/horror of Pumpkin Panic was you being "hunted" by a lot of folklore shit. As you try to harvest pumpkins for moneys, Skinwalker, Wendigo (pop culture version), ghosts and clowns (for some reason) are after your ass. You only get one try. The mix of cozy & horrorfying is bad enough. But there's a special place for games that remind you of the true horror of "country/folklore" -at least I feel, that this is quickly forgotten in a highly urbanized society.

[@ReddPikmin]

IM SO SCARED OF PUMPKIN PANIC (I don’t like the skinwalkers)

[@zavixonhd4347]

cant believe keanu reeves is making video essays now

[@iisajudge5671]

I was just thinking that

[@Jaakei]

I was thinking Kylo Ren lol

[@ReedDaOG]

Omfg ur right

[@thepokekid01]

I don't really want to make this, but I can see the potential in a Farming Game where you are secretly a serial killer at the edge of town. They can hide the plot that your character is an existing character by doing all the farm tropes of inheriting your grandparent's farm at the edge of town, befriending people there, and just general community participation. Maybe they can make it like a typical farming game, it continues as normal for the longest time, but maybe the 6th month in a FBI detective moves in to the hotel in town talking about a serial killer may be amongst the town members and they might consider your help into figuring it out on who it might be, pushing you to form closer relationships with various suspects he might have. In the meantime, the first person you fall in love with, you can take them home and do all the romantic stuff... but when all is said and done, they have a cut scene while your character is sleeping where they go to get something to drink and discover a secret cellar on your farm. In that cellar there is the rotting corpse of the actual person that inherited the farm from their grandparents. That's when your avatar turns up behind that character, and they cut the lights on the scene. Now as the player, when everything is running back through your head from how you are interacting with everyone to how you wrote letters back to your parents on a typewriter instead of using a pen and ink, as well as one of the first quest to use the letter your parents sent you to return a letter back to them instead of you writing the first letter to them, you are presented your player character in the Cellar, with the dead body of your first love in the game, and now you need to hide the evidence, getting rid of the body by going through a new tutorial teaching you techniques to get rid of them, and then taking the bones and staging it like an accident away from your house as you cover your tracks. The tutorial makes sure you don't make any mistakes in this process, but the FBI agent visit the next day anyways, questioning you about the person who disappeared, and then taking your successful alibi. Now the rest of the game your farming life is a cover as you try to quell the need to murder again and again until you finally get the chance to get rid of that pesky agent, or finally get caught yourself. I'm sure there also can be all kinds of crazy stuff that can eventually get added like tales of a ghost story that intertwines and maybe leads to some paranormal stuff or a secret cult, maybe even run into someone else who is a rival killer.

[@ranting2damax]

Rpg maker XP or whatever is free on steam right now (at least for me) so. You could honestly do it if you wanted to.

[@thepokekid01]

@@ranting2damax Thanks

[@JudeDragon158]

@@thepokekid01if you ever do keep us updated!! Sounds cool as hell

[@gh0st_mov]

this is so SO cool - am I allowed to draw some concept art for this idea????

[@thepokekid01]

go for it!@@gh0st_mov

[@nekomaru856]

I want to see a farming game where the player has to balance surviving as a farmer stardew style and dealing with/appeasing various mythological fae and cryptids in kind of a half way split between the farming sim side and a defense/survival horror management side.

[@ZeroDurability]

That's literally just Pumpkin Panic. But yeah a full version extended would be nice.

[@nekomaru856]

@@ZeroDurability I knew I was gonna get this response eventually, yea conceptually they are similar but I suppose I felt a version with a bit more social/farming sim aspects would be welcome, and perhaps a bit slower paced too.

[@planescaped]

Pumpkin Panic I think has come the closest to nailing this genre, but it is basically just a proof of concept. A fully fleshed out version of it would be amazing.

[@ptarts09]

I recommend you check out Kynseed, there is farming/business management, battle system and dealing with the the fae, literally. It also has some really creepy vibes at times.

[@Topdoggie7]

Rune Factory much?

[@CoolattasLab]

The overlap of Farming Game and Horror enjoyers is much larger than you'd think LOL Gleanor Heights looks cool I might try it out

[@kooolainebulger8117]

i thought the island one was going to go more into the horrors of the natural/supernatural

[@Itslibster]

I think a farming horror game would be given justice by having an honours system. Market it to undertale players- choose good or evil. I think an interesting mechanic that could separate it from undertale is having the partner dynamic in place- want to marry someone like in stardew? But you’re a murderer? Depending on the character personality, will they aide you or tell on you? Is it a case of not getting caught by them, or becoming the new Bonnie and Clyde? Alternatively, are you to convince them to help? Dig into their past and use that against them? If you’re on a ‘good route’, are you fighting the crime in the valley? I feel like these are super interesting concepts but atm the genre is so lacking- it’s just “I guess you could farm, but you can also kill people which is more fun…!!”- I think being able to hide your kills with the farming mechanic or alternatively use the farming mechanic to generate currency for protection or security development would be such an upgrade to all of these games.

[@a_pufferfish2936]

Lakeview Valley actually has multiple endings, with some being better than others, I feel like it was kinda served poorly here because if you don't know the devs other games, it just seems like shock jock humor. I won't spoil anything about it, but it deserves better.

[@kaibaiarrio1299]

Honestly when it comes to the trigger warning topic, as someone who has a history with certain traumas i like having the ability to prep myself for those topics to come up, as i can usually handle these topics best when i can have a general idea of what it could be, without completely ruining the experience. When it comes to the implementation of a trigger warning list, I feel like the smartest way to go about it is making a separate page you can click on so that people (like me) who do need it can use it, and everyone else can just ignore it and go in blind

[@Plasstyre]

Normal people: "YOU ARE DEAD." My dumb ass: "What does R Crops mean?"

[@AticusBee]

this comment made me realize the thumbnail says you are dead LMAO

[@playernotfound9489]

me: your crops are dead

[@nicaaizawa4171]

First of all 1:34 that was uncalled for 😭, anyway there's an upcoming murder mystery farming sim game called Grave Seasons being developed hopefully it will be good. There's the yandere Elliott mod for stardew that focuses more psychological horror, it's well written that there were moments I genuinely felt afraid

[@mewtuwa]

Thank you for telling me about Grave Seasons - a murder/mystery farming sim sounds awesome!

[@CalamariKali]

“You fall in love! Not with Shane-“ My dude does not deserve all this 😭

[@Composercleo]

you laying in the bed has me dying laughing😂😂😂

[@SuperLlama42]

I could argue that the content warning actually helps the first act of DDLC. You're expecting bad shit to happen and the game takes it's sweet time before things go to hell so you're just going through all the wholesome stuff at the start paranoid about whatever the hell's about to happen. I guess the question is, do you want your audience to get completely blindsided by the bad shit or do you want them anticipating the bad shit but don't know when it's going to happen and what exactly it is?

[@autumnlotus6250]

Lakeview valley is a sequel of sorts of Lakeview Cabin, that's more akin to a playable horror/slasher game with dark humor. It's really not at all a farming game

[@cdphillip3914]

The opening of Lakeview valley was really intriguing to me but scratch the surface and the 14 year old edge is too much to stomach

[@todangtall]

You completely neglected to mention the fact that Lakeview Valley is part of a series called Lakeview Cabin. I don't want to get to heavy into the connections since it is kind of a Dark Souls-esque approach to the story in those games. I will say that you're stuck in a one week time loop,

[@maxximo2367]

Joel, Joey, Jobel

[@ratpatterson8953]

"a streamer" put some respect on vargskeletor joel's name

[@greenhowie]

Pretty sure Deadly Premonition would count as a dark farming game if you're starting with Lakeview Valley... not that I'm complaining, fun video.

[@tinysalad3357]

Graveyard Keeper mentioned 🎉

[@OpalSpring]

Graveyard Keeper is one of my favorites on this list. Sadly I play it on my Switch and the last DLC won't be on it. As for Gleaner Heights, I wish I could have gotten into it more than I did. I just wasn't fond on the controls and I think that kinda killed it for me.

[@AamitMorthos]

Something in really love about lakeview valley is that it's not a farming game at all, but a horror adventure game with a bat shit crazy story. I'm already a fan of the lakeview cabin games so this stardew parody was made for me.

[@johndawn6951]

Bro looks like if Keanu Reeves skipped everything day.

[@DelBunny19]

My dream horror farming game, one Id love to make, would be Stardew-esque moving to a new town, but the town is very Twin Peaks level weird and fucked up, and you only find this out when youre in too deep to back out.

[@ujjssjsjsjjsjs8061]

Do you guys remember Moirai? It wasn't even a farming game i think all i remember was there was a farmer GUY

[@Neiroe]

I have the game but dont remember an actual second of gameplay lol been a while i guess

[@KyrieFortune]

One of the best games ever and it was literally just walking down a cave and meeting two people

[@popa_bg2996]

You look like if jschlatt and Keanu Reeves had a baby

[@WebPixies]

Well this made me want to try out graveyard keeper. I had heard of it before but never looked much into it. Oh and great video, love your style of humor.

[@victormontes7007]

It is grindy but funny

[@mrt1880]

pumpkin panic is basically that

[@takumidoutou4412]

Maybe the evil dark farming games where the Joel’s we met along the way

[@grimtygranule5125]

It's far from dark, but AtomiCrops was probably the originator for the more recent actual dark farm games.

[@faith-on-the-internet]

it’s been awesome watching you grow and evolve as a creator. i’m here for your video essay arc

[@daviddiscodemon]

spooky hidden message!! r crops… 😕😰

[@asra-5180]

Sadly, I don't like farming games that force you to play as a character specific character without a choice. I atleast accept RF4 because it has an option. I'm not fond of playing as some bearded guy.

[@flamingkittyumad]

Graveyard keeper forces you to wait for a specific day to talk to 90% of important NPCs, the progression in the game is agonizingly slow and a lot of the gameplay is just "experiment your way into creating this important item"

[@Leemuhh]

"YOUr crops ARE DEAD" "you are dead" "rcrops"

[@chattychatotchannel]

I have face blindness so I cannot tell if this is the case to other people or not but does this guy look just like keanu reaves to them?

[@masonasaro2118]

reminds me of when vinesauce joel unwittingly gaslit the whole lost media scene with the “body harvest moon” bit… oh wait you started the video with that… huh

[@groswell1758]

This is all Jobel's doing. He can't keep getting away with this.

[@ConstantBit9]

I never knew Keanu Reeves was a KZbinr too....let alone a gamer.

[@x-tosca]

listen if a game with no actual farming can be considered a "horror/dark farming game", then a game that DOES have farming absolutely can, even if the /other/ aspect(a town full of people) is not present. in harvest island, you literally live on a farm, you interact with farm animals, and you plant crops. it's a farming game, it's just not a standard genre of cozy farming game you're used to. also harvest island is ABSOLUTELY full of horror shit, the entire plot is dark as fuck when you uncover it, especially after recent updates that added the B plot with the girl in the past. there are literally scenes where you find decapitated animal corpses, there's creepy ass underground places with a super tense atmosphere, etc. just bc the horror is not constantly in your face and is more subtle and psychological most of the time doesn't mean it's not horror. and it also absolutely at least in part a "farming game", by technicality of taking place on a farm with farm-based gameplay even if that isn't the main focus.

[@JuanDias-p6j]

1:34 my beloved🥺

[@jesusramirezromo2037]

"a streamer", Way to disrespect Joel lol

[@The1Fau]

Check out pumpkin panic. Not the most typical farming game but growing crops and scary

[@CarlMax001]

You look like the unofficial lovechild of Adam Driver and Keanu Reeves

[@GaybrohamStinkton]

Keanu reeves and Markispliers son?

[@thatlazymaki9863]

The Streamer is Vinesauce Joel bro 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@darkmetal2412]

Stardew Valley you kinda have to look hard for it but its there, there's some weird dark vibes. The biggest one at the top of my head is that you can get rid of your kid but it'll turn into a evil spirit and you gotta kill it

[@beeeesac]

im a farming sim bitch who loves horror, and graveyard keeper is one of my faves. will deffo check out Gleanor Heights

[@victormontes7007]

So much digging

[@shortcake772]

you look like a love child of keanu reeves and markiplier

[@dunnoowo8828]

you missed out on Kynseed harvest moon where villagers age and die around you

[@muzakkiwangjoo93]

Idk whybut the way you talk, explaining things keep me entertained i subbed

[@HereticalKitsune]

Graveyard Keeper is a super fun game, really enjoyed playing it and getting it to 100%.

[@emilieknutson9565]

Gleaner Heights mentioned!!! I played the shit out of Gleaner Heights and was glued to my computer for a week

[@kenshirome83]

I was there for the evil farming game live. It was pretty funny.

[@Deletusyouryeetus]

You look like keeanu reevs, I like it man!

[@TheMeatballMan420]

I loved graveyard keeper. I'm both a huge fan of the horror genre, and the farming genre, so this game was literally perfect for me. If you want the target audience for farming/horror games, well its me. I'm the target audience.

[@dangersad7495]

While not a horror game by any means, Kynseed does have (rare) moments straight out of one.

[@victormontes7007]

The last summer festival was concerning

[@kakaziro]

Omg its keanu revis

[@love4teacups]

loved the editing. great video!

[@cozy_amble]

Wait this is a whole subgenre I had no clue existed lol BRB while I grab my blankie & work up my courage to play these

[@PineTr.]

I didn't think I'd see Lakeview Valley in 2024, reminds me of Lakeview Cabin Alot. Really brings back memories.

[@Really_here]

First game i thiught about was Graveyard Keeper.

[@ihatepinecones99]

Why's kylo ren talking about farming?

[@gowt5638]

you look like a combination of Schlatt and Keanu reeves nice video tho

[@TweedleDeem]

i cannot wrap my mind around someone not falling in love with Shane

[@Evan-k]

I can't comprehend anybody liking him

[@angrybidoof847]

It was one of the vinesauce lot that talked about the game. I think it was Jole

[@estelle5798]

I have a disgusting amount of hours put into Graveyard Keeper. The DLC adds a lot to the game as well, and it's a game I can easily lose myself in for hours.

[@rattmcpossum]

I was hoping you’d mention lakeview valley - fantastic game!!

[@onepastelmushroom136]

A recommendation I've been hearing a lot about is Grave seasons Its a farming game alot like Stardew Valley but every time you start a new game one of the townies is a murderer. And it's up to you to figure out who it is.

[@kexard]

I wouldn’t call it horror, as much as grim, but Deadcraft was a pretty fun top-down game with an emphasis on farming. Conceptually, it’s horrifying, but it’s got that edgy anime-like charm to it.

[@obsidianstar9089]

Another game that follows a somewhat simular path is Pumpkin Panic, love it

[@someoneawesome8717]

If I was to try and make an evil farming sim, I would think of zombies, there's potential to gather inspiration from Lovecraft's "the Color Out of Space", using corpses as fertilizer, or maybe needing to grow food for a cult (or some combination) something like what Dredge did for fishing games could be fun

[@nikkim7038]

the cult aspect makes me think of cult of the lamb lol would work great

[@someoneawesome8717]

@@nikkim7038 I actually came up with a name: Eversleep Ridge

[@RogueLG]

I enjoyed graveyard keeper, it has a lot of fun progression. The DLC is good too.

[@IxodesPersulcatus]

Best horror farming game I've ever played? Minecraft.

[@Topdoggie7]

Shepherd's Crossing was pretty metal.

[@abarcyTelary]

HOLY SHIT IVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS GAME FOR YEARS

[@princessfetus]

Shout out to LakeView Valley!!

[@orosucksatart]

Hi, I'm currently trying to work on a scary farming game, and this video gave me ideas for what to put in it!

[@TheMoonlight1711]

you look like a merge of keanu reeves and schlatt

[@ItzZoya-up5od]

Have you heard about cattails? Its like if you bred the warrior cats books with stardew valley!

[@BearWitch_Project]

I really do love the gameplay loop of Graveyard Keeper. Its just a shame the devs released a half finished game and dont care about its playerbase

[@goobergoofy-vn8cc]

john wick

[@quantafreeze]

I watched an hour long let's play by Liss the Lass of that graveyard keeper game. It looked fun.

[@Jackoff_icial]

Kynseed is NOT a dark farming game, but there are definitely dark elements to the progression system

[@alewolfo8491]

Tried lakeview valley a while ago... full of bugs, saving progress doesn't work the same as in stardew valley, and even killing itsn't really fun the chainsaw should be able to... just do it, also getting specific endings may be frustrating due to the bugs and softlock, and some mechanics were removed, without mention the game is pretty abandoned by the creator you know, nobody has tried a farming game were you are canibal, that is pretty dark

[@citizen_grub4171]

If farming is central to your game, it is a farming game. It doesn't matter if the game has linear progression.

[@valeforedark]

Graveyard keeper

[@nicho.7400]

You look a lot like Keanu reeves

[@bloodrunsclear]

It’s interesting that this all started because someone fell asleep watching Vinesauce videos

[@Sp1cyP3pp3r]

1:33 what do you mean not with Shane? He's the only romancable option bruh

[@Evan-k]

Literally the worst romance option, dude stays an ass, everybody else grows and become better people

[@jacextreme6432]

Woah I didn’t know John Wick did video essays

[@TNTo1]

You look like an ofbrand Keanu Reeves

[@dekaks.4724]

Keanu Reeves

[@zer0w1nz35]

6:21 isnt this character just the babysitter from Monster House?

[@Amity-park]

“Not with Shane” Couldn’t agree more.

[@Ginokuma89]

About the horror-farming game: I think you are missing the point. Most horror game players are women, most cozy farming sim players are women. I think there is actually a big overlap. Personaliy I know a couple of girls who would love this kind of game.

[@User-d6l6t]

You look like the Fortnite reaper skin

[@emeraldhamster]

Guys... Scary fact... Did you know... The highlighted parts in the text in the thumbnail... They spell out "R Crops"

[@ThrwG49]

I tried playing Gleaner Heights, but it was pretty hard.

[@ZhangLee.]

i want a horror farming game