The new Farm Life Sim on Steam comes straight from the former Stardew Valley dev

The Harvest Moon may have inspired itBut to ConcernedApe Stardew Valley Set a new standard for farm life sims when it launched in 2016. Nearly a decade later, this single-developed game continues to be recognized as one of the most influential games in the genre for exceeding player expectations, proving that it can rival big-budget releases in depth, post-launch support, and cultural impact. At the same time, it became the blueprint that almost every modern comfortable life sim now traces its roots back to. In fact, the upcoming farm life sim on Steam In fact ConcernedApe's debut hit has deeper roots than almost any game inspired by it, it was developed by a former. Stardew Valley dev

Sunkissed City Mr. Podunkian's new farm is Life Sim, another solo dev who has a history of working with ConcernedApp on post-launch development. Stardew Valley. At first glance, the upcoming game looks strikingly similar Stardew Valley in its visuals and gameplay, but this is to be expected considering the developer's previous work. However, while Steam Sunkissed City There may be similarities Stardew In its visuals, gameplay, and design, its urban setting, customization, and quality-of-life features may be enough to set it apart from the games that have dominated the farm life sim genre for nearly a decade.

Sunkissed City is being developed by a former Stardew Valley dev

Arthur “Mr. Podunkian” Lee wasn't there when Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone was working on it. Stardew ValleyBecause it was really built from the ground up by just one person. However, when Barron needed a team to help with the game's post-launch updates while he was working The Haunted ChocolatierLee contributed his expertise. Especially those involved in development Stardew Valley From updates 1.4 to 1.6, Lee joined the team in 2019 to help Baron smooth out the bumps in the farm life sim's post-launch road but perhaps more importantly, build some of its biggest content updates.

Time with Lee Stardew Valley It only lasted about three years, as he parted ways with Barron in 2022 to focus full-time. Sunkissed City-“A life-sim in an upbeat, sun-kissed seaside metropolis full of funky vibes and quirky characters,” according to its Steam page. Naturally, while expectations may be high for the upcoming urban farm life sim, it's not exactly what it seems. Stardew Valley But it is also by one of its former developers. However, if Lee has anything to say about it, Sunkissed City Probably not meant to replace or duplicate Stardew Valley-Like games, but to build on the lessons learned from the years of post-launch development and apply them to a different kind of space. More than anything, this particular farm feels like an evolution of Life Sim Stardew Valley More than a copy.

Sunkissed City is Stardew Valley in Urban Sandbox

If its looks and charm weren't enough already, Sunkissed City Everything seems to be there Stardew Valley Fans love about it and more. As a farm life sim, it has traditional genre-specific systems – such as DIY gardening with plants and crops, fishing, foraging and exploration, NPC relationship and romance mechanics, house customization, and various town activities. but, Sunkissed City Puts in urban mode Stardew’s formula and adding a little more depth and quality of life as well.

Features of the Sunkissed City at a glance

• Farm Life Sim Set in a vibrant seaside metropolis called Apollo City.
• Urban Garden Tending And DIY gardening with plants and crops.
• fishing With a quality-of-life system that shows silhouettes of all currently catchable fish based on location, time and weather when you enter one.
• Bait and explore Around city locations such as parks and nature spots.
• Monster-infested sewer dive and other adventure side activities.
• Meet and build relationships With quirky cityfolk and NPCs.
• Gifts and social engagement To deepen the relationship with the characters.
• Romance options and personal narrative development.
• Deep character customization With fabrics, patterns, colors, and styles.
• Home adaptation With furniture, wallpaper, flooring, and decorative touches.
• Online and local co-op Multiplayer to play with friends.
• Difficulty and accessibility options To tailor the experience for different skill levels.
• Town Activities Like visiting cafes and parks, and interacting with wildlife.

One of the obvious ways Sunkissed City develops Stardew ValleyHow the gameplay incorporates lessons learned from the very beginning through years of refinement. Systems that took several updates to improve Stardew Rather be a part Sunkissed Cityis the basis of Fishing is the most obvious example, with an inherent visual system that communicates what can be caught in specific situations, taking general guesswork out of the mini-game. That same philosophy carries over into customization, relationship tracking, and access options, which aim to respect the player's time while preserving the sense of routine and progression that defines the genre.

where Sunkissed City Where it really starts to distinguish itself, though, is how it rethinks where the loop exists. Rather than centering everything around a single, isolated farm, progress has spread across an interconnected urban environment filled with parks, cafes, public spaces, and neighborhoods. Stardew ValleyPelican Town. The garden becomes something woven into urban life rather than a retreat for players, and social systems feel more naturally integrated into day-to-day play rather than something to check off on a schedule. That, in addition to deep customization, optional combat-driven activities like sewer dives, and flexible difficulty and access options, Sunkissed City It already has a lot going for it.

all things considered, Sunkissed City Clearly what looks like a game made by someone who spent years looking at it Stardew Valley Done right and where it can be comfortable from the start. The urban setting gives the familiar farm life gameplay loop Stardew Valley A fresh coat of paint, quality-of-life improvements make it feel like it could be stronger from the get-go, and the overall structure suggests a developer who knows how long players will live in these worlds. Whether it ends up with the same staying power is still an open question, but it feels like a confident step forward rather than an already safe retread.

Sunkissed City Currently about to be launched Steam In 2026.