Forget Stardew Valley: This New Game Blends Farming with Valheim-Like Survival, and You Can Try It for Free

By Ryan Messina Gaming News
28 October 2025 no comments

A new indie farming sim inspired by Stardew Valley is turning heads. Called Romestead, it blends cozy farming with survival and Roman city-building — and it’s free to try right now.

A New Challenger to Stardew Valley

When ConcernedApe released Stardew Valley, he didn’t just create a beloved farming sim — he defined a genre. Nearly a decade later, indie developers continue to chase that same cozy-yet-captivating balance. Enter Romestead, a new game that combines farming, survival, and Roman history into something truly original.

Lean more on the development and history of Stardew Valley!

Romestead: When Farming Meets Survival

If you’ve ever wished Stardew Valley had tougher challenges, Romestead might be your next favorite. The game casts you as a Roman citizen rebuilding a fallen city, balancing resource management, city-building, and survival mechanics.

Unlike many farming sims, Romestead adds a sense of danger — wild nature, scarce resources, and enemies ready to test your endurance. It’s both relaxing and intense, blending pixel-art charm with strategic depth.

Try Romestead for Free on Steam

Though Romestead isn’t officially released yet, you can already join the free playtest on Steam. Developer Beartwigs, known for its custom-built Candide Engine, wants community feedback before the planned late-2025 release.

After a showcase at Gamescom 2025, the studio has been fine-tuning controller support, balance, and performance. To participate, simply request playtest access on Steam — just note that it’s currently available only in English.

New devlog out! This time we delve into the survivors of Romestead, and how they benefit you and your town as your citizens!https://t.co/iN3srpwMFN

— Romestead (@RomesteadGame) October 15, 2025

A Promising Future for Cozy Survival Games

Romestead could become the perfect middle ground between Stardew Valley and Valheim — cozy yet challenging, nostalgic yet fresh. Its combination of farming, survival, and exploration makes it a standout among upcoming indie titles.

Could Romestead be the next big hit in the farming-sim world? Tell us what you think in the comments — is it time for Stardew Valley to pass the torch?

Ryan Messina

A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !