The strange parade of Stardew-style horror farming games continues with Besmirch, in which there is far too much smiling
The article highlights Besmirch, a new horror farming game now available in early access, as the latest entry in an increasingly popular subgenre of dark, unsettling takes on farming simulations. The writer humorously argues that beginning around 2020, developers have collectively shifted the formula established by Stardew Valley and Harvest Moon into horror territory, creating what they colorfully describe as “creepy ploughing simulators.”
Besmirch exemplifies this trend by placing players in the employment of a sinister Baron character (a likely tongue-in-cheek reference to the farming genre), replacing the genre’s typically cozy, relaxing atmosphere with an unsettling and ominous tone. Rather than the peaceful, wholesome experience associated with traditional farming games, the game features darker themes and oppressive aesthetics.
The article positions this phenomenon as part of a broader cultural shift within indie game development, where developers have found success by subverting genre expectations—taking beloved, peaceful gaming concepts and infusing them with horror elements. This trend reflects both creative experimentation and audience interest in darkly comedic or genuinely unsettling takes on familiar gameplay formulas.