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New farming simulators are constantly hitting the market and many of them have similar aspects to the most popular one in the genre: Stardew Valley. It has almost become a rite of passage for farming simulators to be compared to the ConcernedApe title, especially in a positive way. One of the best new games that has gotten that honor is Fields of Mistria. Released in June 2024 on limited early access, there has only been one major update to this charming game, but it has captured fan's interest already.

Created by the small development team at Npc Studio, Fields of Mistria is the first game the company has released. Inspired by popular farming sim RPGs like Harvest Moon and Rune Factory, Fields of Mistria captures the magic that makes the farming sim genre special, not just the basic farming and collection experience. Despite being in early access, Fields of Mistria already...

Stardew Valley players have discovered yet another hidden feature from Update 1.6, and this time it involves horses. The cozy life and farming sim was released in 2016 and has since become a phenomenon, still beloved by many players and still getting regular free updates from its creator, ConcernedApe. The massive Update 1.6 was released last year for PC and, after months of anticipation, it became available on mobile devices and consoles.

Players are still discovering new things that the update brought to the game, including one fun new interaction with the horse that was spotted by teengirlhelley on Reddit. The Redditor writes, "Did you know you can feed carrots to your horse?" The player says they tried to feed the horse other things, but "it only munches on carrots." It turns out that the discovery is more than just a fun Easter egg, and there's an actual benefit to doing this.

Did...

Stardew Valley is one of the most successful cozy games of all time, and the title captured people's hearts when it was first released in 2016, and it hasn't let go since. As of January 2025, Stardew Valley has sold 41 million copies. It's seen by many to be the gold standard of cozy gaming, the one game that all other cozy games are inevitably compared to, sometimes unfavorably.

In fact, many new farming and life sims today are accused of being Stardew Valley clones trying to cash in on fans' obvious love for the genre. But this was not always the case; a decade ago it was Stardew Valley that was accused of being the shameless clone. The game has come a long way since then and has far surpassed its original inspiration, but it remains to this day a lesson for other developers who want to create games inspired by titles they love.

Netflix's hit romantic drama Virgin River is based on a series of novels by Robyn Carr, and though the television series does not seem to be ending any time soon, the books it is based off of may have already reached their end. Virgin River, both on-screen and on the page, tells the story of Mel, a nurse practitioner who moves to the idyllic town of Virgin River for a fresh start and finds many new and important connections there. Netflix has six seasons of the show with a seventh on the way.

Virgin River is far from the first Netflix television series that is based on books. In fact, some of Netlix's most important properties got their beginnings on the page, including The Witcher, Bridgerton, and Heartstopper. However, the ways in which the streaming service adapts the story from book-to-tv is vital. Where some shows may suffer from...

“Critter Café” is a wonderful café management simulation set on the picturesque Golden Leaf Isle. It combines creature collection with light puzzle-solving.

In this charming indie title from Sumo Digital, players take on the role of a character seeking a calm life, going away from the buzz of city life to revitalize a modest café. The game’s vivid chibi art design and calm gameplay evoke the charm of titles like “Animal Crossing,” which emphasize personalization and creativity.

The story revolves around the player’s desire to rescue cute critters trapped in mystical portals. Guided by letters from a mysterious buddy, the protagonist runs the café and goes on whimsical expeditions to preserve these creatures.

While the plot is simple, it successfully generates a compelling environment reminiscent of “Harvest Moon,” combining lighthearted duties with community development.

However, some players may want a more engrossing plot, akin to the richer narratives featured in “Stardew Valley,...

Three documentary projects took top honors at this year’s Cairo Film Connection, with Ager Oueslati’s “You Don’t Die Two Times” winning the post-production prize as development laurels went to Khaled Al Swidan’s “Amal” and Eliane Raheb’s “The North Wind.”

Marking his first year at the head of the Cairo Film Festival’s development and postproduction showcase, Cfc director Rodrigo Brum tells Variety that the three winning titles all share a sense of immediacy.

“It was really clear why these films need to be made now,” says Brum. “They are all tackling very urgent issues, and our jury made a bold decision to award such socially engaged projects.”

French-Algerian-Tunisian journalist, photographer and nonfiction filmmaker Ager Oueslati produced her feature debut “You Don’t Die Two Times” with her brother, Raouf. The film follows a young Nigerian migrant as she recounts her own life’s journey – one...

Giants Software recently released Farming Simulator 25 on PC and other platforms as the newest addition to the beloved series within the simulation category, but the game's reception so far has been complicated. Drawing from the nostalgia of classic agricultural gaming, such as Harvest Moon, the franchise also fully immerses players into the farming lifestyle, focusing on the realism of the industry rather than just the aesthetic part of it.

In just under a week since its official launch on November 11th, Farming Simulator 25 has sold over 2 million copies, as announced on the official X account and reported by GamesIndustry.biz. The tweet also acknowledges that the game needs some work, however, promising "upcoming improvements" and content additions.

Thank you! Farming Simulator 25 had a great start with many new farmers on the fields. Stay tuned for upcoming improvements and new content soon - were already on it! pic.twitter.com/UI...

When Kennedy R. was a child, there was one fix that could cure almost any stressful situation: video games. She can remember spending hours after hard days at school playing Harvest Moon, a Japanese farm simulator built for the blocky Super Nintendo console. Through the thick of grad school, games like Stardew Valley and other open-ended pixelated worlds became a way to escape the pressure. But it wasn’t until the pandemic that her love of calm, simple games went from nostalgic pastime to an active growing online community. Now,...

Joni Mitchell quietly returned to Spotify, two years after boycotting the music streamer.

Fans noticed on Friday that the singer’s music seemingly reappeared on the platform, days after Neil Young also made his return to the audio giant. However, the “Help Me” singer has yet to address her return.

The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to Mitchell’s rep and Spotify for comment.

In January 2022, Mitchell announced that she was removing her music catalogue from the streamer in solidarity with Young. “I’ve decided to remove all my music from Spotify,” she wrote on her website at the time. “Irresponsible people are spreading lies that are costing people their lives. I stand in solidarity with Neil Young and the global scientific and medical communities on this issue.”

Young initially pulled his music from Spotify that same year in protest of Covid-19 vaccine misinformation being spread on Joe Rogan’s podcast,...

Neil Young is ending his two-year Spotify boycott.

The celebrated singer is returning his music to the audio giant after Joe Rogan signed a $250m deal to make his podcast available on multiple platforms, rather than remaining a Spotify exclusive.

Young withdrew his music from Spotify in January 2022 due to its support for Rogan, and a number of big-name artists including his former bandmates Crosby, Stills and Nash followed suit.

Young’s issue with Spotify was that the platform was backing a podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, helmed by someone who was spreading vaccine misinformation.

Young yesterday indicated that his music’s return to the platform does not reflect a reversal of his stance against Rogan. He has previously said that Spotify represented 60% of his streaming revenue globally, leading to a “huge loss” for his record company.

“Other music services [including] Apple, Amazon, Qobuz, Tidal… have started serving the same disinformation...

Neil Young’s music will return to Spotify, the singer announced Tuesday.

Young’s music was initially pulled from the music streamer in early 2022 after the artist published (and later took down) an open letter telling Spotify to address the vaccine misinformation on Joe Rogan’s podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, or lose access to his catalog.

The “Harvest Moon” singer’s return to Spotify was not because of a reversal on his original stance, Young clarified in a statement, but because the other major streaming services have now begun presenting Rogan’s podcast as a result of the podcaster’s new deal announced this month.

Young said in January 2022 that Spotify represented 60 percent of his streaming revenue globally, which amounted to “a huge loss for [his] record company to absorb,” but that he moved forward with removing his music because he “could not continue to support Spotify’s life-threatening misinformation to the music loving public.

Neil Young has (unenthusiastically) announced that his songs will once again be available to stream on “low res” Spotify, two years after his catalog was removed from the platform in protest of their exclusive deal with Joe Rogan.

The announcement came via a post on Young’s Neil Young Archives website, which states: “Spotify, the #1 streamer of low res music in the world — Spotify, where you get less quality than we made, will now be home of my music again.” Continuing, the songwriting legend explained that his decision to return was because “music services Apple and Amazon have started serving the same disinformation podcast features I had opposed at Spotify.”

While Young saw his exodus from Spotify — which inspired Joni Mitchell and others to follow suit — as a manageable sacrifice, he now says that if he were to leave Apple and Amazon as well, then his music “would have very little streaming outlet,...

Baldur's Gate 3 isn't the only game with strong relationships and romance options, offering players the possibility to explore other experiences. Games like GreedFall, Stardew Valley, and Cyberpunk 2077 feature choice-based romance systems and compelling characters worth pursuing. Stray Gods, Mass Effect Legendary Edition, Persona 5 Royal, The Witcher 3, and Dragon Age: Origins are other recommended games with satisfying romance elements and memorable characters.

Romance plays a big part of Baldur's Gate 3, and wrapping up relationship arcs can easily leave a gaping hole in their wake. With a strong cast of characters to build relationships with, there's more depth and variety involved than the more obligatory approach to love that some games traffic in. Luckily, Baldur's Gate 3 isn't the only title to feature a strong approach to the subject, so jumping into another experience is always a possibility.

Although some games like dating sims focus exclusively on romance, the best way to follow...

Korean crime drama ‘The Boys’ set to open inaugural Kiff.

The inaugural Kharkhorum International Film Festival (Kiff) is set to kick off on Thursday (December 7) with Korean director Chung Ji-young’s crime drama The Boys, in line with its focus on human rights.

Kiff takes place in Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar, until December 12 and is organised by the Film Bridge Development Association in collaboration with the Mongolian National Film Council.

The human rights theme is in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year’s Human Rights Day falls on December 10 and Kiff will...

The Nintendo Switch Online game library is full of great retro games, but subscribers wondering what classic games they should prioritize on the Nintendo Switch might have some trouble picking a starting point. The Nintendo Switch has proven to be an excellent way to relive past eras of gaming either at home or on the go, so long as players are willing to pay a monthly fee. With a selection of titles that range from the original Nes to the Game Boy Advance, the choices available on Nintendo Switch Online can be potentially paralyzing.

Choosing a range of must-play classic games on Nintendo Switch Online requires covering a variety of genres and styles. From side-scrolling platformers to expansive RPG experiences, past eras of gaming have offered formative games of every type. The baseline Nintendo Switch Online library includes titles that were originally available on the Nes, Snes, and Game Boy/Game Boy Color,...

Rufus Wainwright won’t hit age 50 until July 22, technically, but he started the festivities a few days early with “Fifty Isn’t the End,” a three-hour show at Long Island’s East End that was a tribute to Wainwright’s career, his family lineage and, inadvertently, some of the other children of famous musicians who happen to be among his pals.

With a lineup that included Jimmy Fallon, comic Tig Notaro, Laurie Anderson and members of Wainwright’s family, including his sister Martha and his father Loudon III, the show...

Neil Young’s legendary music catalogue is about to be catapulted to a whole new level.

The renowned music icon, 77, who has sold 50 million albums worldwide, is exclusively releasing nine of his iconic albums in Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos on Apple Music.

Read More: Neil Young, Stephen Stills And Graham Nash React To The Death Of Former Bandmate David Crosby: ‘He Kept Us Going On And On’

This release includes beloved titles such as “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere”, “After the Gold Rush”, “On The Beach”, “Freedom” and “Harvest Moon.”

Fans of Young’s distinctive tenor, soulful lyrics, and genre-blending mix of rock, folk, blues, and country can now experience his music in a rich and immersive audio format.

In a press release shared on Friday, Zane Lowe, Apple Music’s Global Creative Director and Host, acknowledged Young’s contribution to music history, stating: “Neil Young has long...

Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos is an upcoming cozy farming sim game by Natsume for the Harvest Moon franchise and is scheduled to be released this fall with preorders already available, including some with special preorder bonuses. This title will be the sixth Harvest Moon game developed by Natsume that is not connected with Story of Seasons or any Harvest Moon games prior to 2014. Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos explores different biomes and regions around the land of Anthos as players can explore and enjoy a fresh take on the farming sim genre.

Games such as Harvest Moon, Story of Seasons, and Stardew Valley all provide a chance for players to enjoy a serene farming sim lifestyle where they can raise animals and find love. Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos goes a little deeper into the typical story with an eruption of a volcano that caused the...

Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life is a remake of a 2004 Harvest Moon game of the same name, that features many quality-of-life improvements and other changes to make it more enjoyable. In the original Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life there was the sad fact of death that even came to the animals of the farm. Although this added to the realistic nature of life in the game, it also could create some heartbreaking moments for players who, naturally, became attached to these animals that they cared for every day.

Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life.As a remake of one of the most popular Harvest Moon games, Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life adds a lot to an already wonderful game. Developers changed many things beyond just updating graphics, such as allowing players the freedom to choose their pronouns and marry whoever they wish from the romanceable NPCs.

Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life remake contains a clever callback to the original Harvest Moon title that's a satisfying nod to longtime fans. Originally released in 2003, A Wonderful Life takes a different approach than many farming games, focusing more on a player's life as a whole rather than running a profitable agriculture business. The remake has made many improvements and modernizations to the initial release while still maintaining many of its little details, as evidenced by this unique Easter egg.

One constant throughout the Story of Seasons series is Sprites, an assortment of adorable tiny entities that have varying levels of influence depending on the game. Three Harvest Sprites reside within a tree in Forgotten Valley's forest, helping the player with things like giving them recipes and the blue feather they need to propose in SoS: A Wonderful Life. Their dwelling also contains a reference to a Harvest Moon...

One of the joys in Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life and other cozy life and farming sim games is being able to have a plethora of adorable animals to pet and have around the player's farm. In this remake of A Wonderful Life, there are a handful of horses and pets that can join the family alongside all the various options for livestock. These mounts and pets don't provide a financial benefit, but they can make the experience of playing the game even more rewarding and immersive by simply being around and looking sweet and cute.

This new version of Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life is a remake of the 2004 Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life which goes beyond simply updating the graphics to look more modern and smooth but also makes some quality-of-life changes. The three horses, two dogs, and one cat that appear in the 2023 version of...

Marriage is not optional for Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life and players will need to work on getting hearts and building relationships with their prospective marriage partners during the first year of the game. This cozy farming and life sim focuses on a narrative centered around family relationships and raising children with a life partner. Finding, wooing, and proposing to an Npc is crucial, and the story will not progress past a certain point if this hasn't taken place.

Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life is a remake of an older Harvest Moon game, but adds many quality-of-life features and a chance for players to present themselves with the pronouns they choose and marry any of the eight romance options regardless of gender. The player can see which characters are possible to marry by looking in the Resident Info screen and seeing who has Affection level hearts under their portrait.

Quick Links Maintaining Its Core While Offering Improvements An Improved Daily Routine Greatly Expanded Social Aspects Final Thoughts & Review Score

Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life is a modernized remake of the original 2004 title, and does an excellent job of balancing its classic elements with quality of life improvements. The game comes from developer Marvelous Inc., which has had a hand in titles like Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town and Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, and publisher Xseed Games, known for releases like Rune Factory 5 and No More Heroes III. Just as the original, A Wonderful Life's differences from many other mainline entries make it somewhat divisive, but it's perfect for longtime fans or those looking for something new.

Players will begin Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life with a move to the small town of Forgotten Valley to take over a farm alongside their father's longtime friend Takakura.

Harvest Moon, the film that was last year selected as Mongolia’s Oscars contender, has secured distribution deals in Europe and Asia through sales agent Asian Shadows.

Directed by Amarsaikhan Baljinnyam, as an adaptation of a novel by T. Bum-Erdene, the narrative tells of the encounter between a man, who unexpectedly returns from the big city to the countryside and then stays on to take up an agricultural role, and boy being brought up by his grandparents. Both are forced to re-evaluate what they had taken for granted.

The film had its world premiere last year at the Vancouver festival, where it won the audience award and followed that with further audience award at Fescaal Milan and two more prizes at the Miworld Young Film Festival Milan. Additionally, Tenuum-Erdene Garamkhand who played the role of the young boy collected the best actor award at the Fribourg Iff.

The film was...

by Eleo Billet

Adapted from the short novel “Tuntuulei” by T. Bum-Erden, the film was Mongolia's 2023 Oscar Submission for Best International Feature Film. It's well deserved since the movie deals delicately with the difficulty of mourning as well as the consequences of the rural exodus. Amarsaikhan Baljinnyam's first work as director is a moving tale of daddy issues that, although set in the countryside, does not exoticize life in the fields.

One evening, Tulgaa, a young man living in Ulaanbaatar, gets two missed calls. One is from a woman who announces that he has become a father. The other is from one of his stepfather's friends, who informs him that his father is living his last days. Tulgaa, his heart heavy, resolves to come to his father's bedside on the land of his childhood. When he arrives, his stepfather speaks little, but when he does, it is to rub salt in the wound.

At the height of the pandemic, Jess Williamson found herself taking long walks with her neighbor Natalie Mering, who performs as Weyes Blood. “I had met her in passing over the years, but we didn’t know each other,” says Williamson. “We were podded up, and we got to be really good friends.” Venturing around Los Feliz with Mering’s Pomeranian, Luigi, the songwriters discussed their upcoming music and dating, even starting a group text titled Ho Support. “We’d talk about boys and sorcery,” Mering says. “Mostly boys.”

Williamson...

The Nintendo Switch has a wide array of games from every genre, but one library that really stands out is the selection of Switch farming games. The Switch's status as a hybrid console makes it the perfect platform for handling a farm, allowing players to both relax at home and take care of crops on the go. Sometimes gamers need to slow things down, and Switch farming games provide experiences that are relaxed, tranquil, and frequently stress-free.

A sub-niche of the larger life simulation genre that includes games like The Sims 4 and visual novels like Dream Daddy, farming games allow players to fulfill their dreams of living in the countryside. Activities like growing crops, tending to farm animals, and gathering resources are straightforward tasks on cozy Switch farming games and prove satisfying to accomplish, making these experiences a great way to unwind and still feel a sense of productivity. Gamers...

“Book Club” is officially back on, with sequel “Book Club 2 – The Next Chapter” set to premiere on Mother’s Day 2023.

All four stars of the 2018 comedy – Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen – will return in the next chapter, as will Andy Garcia, Don Johnson and Craig T. Nelson. Giancarlo Giannini, Hugh Quarshie and Vincent Riotta will also star.

The comedy will follow the quartet of lifelong friends Diane (Keaton), Vivian (Fonda), Sharon (Bergen) and Carol (Steenburgen) as they take their book club overseas to Italy. But their relaxing getaway turns into a wild adventure when the trip goes off the rails, bringing secrets to light.

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Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda Share Heartfelt Moments in ‘Grace and Frankie’ Final Season Images

The first film in the series introduced the four leads as they navigated the dating scene and read “Fifty Shades of Gray” together. It grossed...

The buzzy documentary previously received the directing award at Sundance.

Danish filmmaker Simon Lereng Wilmont’s A House Made Of Splinters won the Golden Alexander prize of the international competition of the 24th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, which closed on Sunday, March 20.

With its European premiere at Thessaloniki, Wilmont’s film is gaining attention on the festival circuit, having won the directing award in the World Cinema Documentary section on debut at the online Sundance in January; and also received the Fipresci prize in Thessaloniki.

Scroll down for the full list of winners

Shot in Ukraine prior to the Russian invasion...

The buzzy documentary previously received the directing award at Sundance.

Danish filmmaker Simon Lereng Wilmont’s A House Made Of Splinters won the Golden Alexander main prize in the international competition of the 24th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, which closed on Sunday, March 20.

With its European premiere at Thessaloniki, Wilmont’s film is gaining attention on the festival circuit, having won the directing award in the World Cinema Documentary section on debut at the online Sundance in January; and also received the Fipresci prize in Thessaloniki.

Scroll down for the full list of winners

Shot in Ukraine prior to the Russian...

Exclusive: Jessy Schram is returning to NBC‘s Chicago Med in the role of Dr. Hannah Asher as a series regular. Schram made her One Chicago debut in Season 5 Episode 12 and was last seen in the Season 6 premiere.

Hannah made her shocking return in the final beats of tonight’s episode, “May Your Choices Reflect Hope, Not Fear,” an appropriate message for someone who is now two years sober and ready for a fresh start. Thanks to her guardian angel Sharon Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson), her fresh start includes a new job at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center’s new emergency Obgyn service.

Although Dr. Archer (Steven Weber) wasn’t too sure about welcoming Hannah back into the fold—with good reason—but ultimately decided to give her a second chance. If anyone knows about the benefit of second chances, it’s Archer.

The new job is a perfect next step for Hannah,...

Here’s to 50 years of Nick Drake’s Pink Moon, the masterpiece that’s always waiting to be discovered. Even back then, no one quite knew what to do with those introspective, nakedly elegiac songs — or the man who created them. “Nick Drake: Out of Obscurity,” read the headline in Salt Lake City’s Deseret News in 1972. “It is true that no one knows where Nick Drake lives …Drake is unreachable, does no tours … It is as though he interacts only with nature, yet is ever studying man’s existence.

Update, 11:47 Am: And just like a hurricane, Neil Young’s music is no longer on Spotify.

Less than 24 hours after the streaming platform said it would comply with the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s clamorous request to choose between “Rogan or Young. Not both,” classic Young albums like his Harvest, Rust Never Sleeps and Harvest Moon are gone.

In fact, the only Neil Young songs on Spotify now are the artist performing other people’s songs on a Bob Dylan tribute, a sample of the Bright soundtrack with Dram and “The Needle and The Damage Done” and “Nothing Is Perfect” from the songwriter at Live Aid in 1985.

Additionally tunes from Young’s old bands Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young are still on the subscription music service — for now.

In protest against Spotify golden boy Joe Rogan’s “spread of misinformation” over Covid-19 vaccines, polio survivor...

Neil Young delivered a surprise Christmas gift to fans Saturday with Summer Songs, a “lost for years, but not forgotten” LP recorded in 1987 but never released.

The eight-track album, featuring Young on all instruments, boasts early versions of songs that would later appear on 1989’s Freedom (“Wrecking Ball,” “Someday,” “Hangin’ on a Limb”), Harvest Moon (“One of These Days”), Psychedelic Pill (“For the Love of Man)” and Csny’s 1988 LP American Dream (“American Dream,” “Name of Love”), plus one song, “Last of His Kind,” that Young debuted at the 1987 Farm Aid but never officially released.