Fields of Mistria

Lore & Background

Fields of Mistria was the first game developed by NPC Studio, founded in 2019 by Claire Belton and Andrew Duff, who previously worked on the Pusheen cat character. Development began in 2019, inspired by Harvest Moon, Rune Factory, Story of Seasons, Animal Crossing, and Stardew Valley, as well as the anime Sailor Moon. The game was unveiled at Wholesome Direct in June 2023, and a demo was available on Steam from June 5 to June 17, 2024. The early access version launched on August 5, 2024, with the first major update on November 18, 2024. A full release and console edition have been announced, but no dates have been confirmed.

Reader's Guide

Fields of Mistria is significant as a well-received entry in the farm life simulation genre, noted for its integration of combat, magic, and a skill tree system alongside traditional farming, fishing, mining, and relationship-building. Its early access launch saw over 100,000 downloads in the first week and over 250,000 in the first month, with more than four million player hours. Critics praised the writing, character interactions, art style, and music, though some noted crashes that were quickly patched. The game's focus on community rebuilding and its diverse activities were highlighted as distinguishing features. Its legacy includes being a spiritual successor to Harvest Moon and similar titles, while avoiding being dismissed as a clone of Stardew Valley despite similarities.

Did You Know?

• The game's early access launch on August 5, 2024, was met with strong positive reception, but no full release date has been set.
• The town of Mistria is recovering from a devastating earthquake, and the player is asked to help rebuild it.
• The game features a dragon statue named Caldarus that protects the town, and players can collect 'essence' to unlock a skill tree.
• NPC Studio's co-directors Claire Belton and Andrew Duff previously worked on the Pusheen cat character for the web comic Everyday Cute.