Farmagia is a unique fantasy monster farming series from the minds of Marvelous and Fairy Tail creator, Hiro Mashima. Read our review to see what the game does well, what it doesn’t do well, and if it’s worth getting for yourself
Farmagia Review Overview
What is Farmagia?
Farmagia is set in the vibrant and unique world of Felicidad, where human-like creatures called Denizens live in harmony with various monsters. Those who can control these monsters are called Farmagia,
and they serve as pillars of Denizen society. The world was peaceful under the rule of the Magus and his generals known as the Oración Seis. But the Magus has died, and Glaza, one of the Oración Generals, claimed power as the new Magus and set out to oppress the denizens of Felicidad.
It’ll be up to Ten, one of the Farmagia, to set out with his friends and put a stop to Glaza’s advance and bring peace back to Felicidad.
Farmagia features:
⚫︎ Hiro Mashima Art Style
⚫︎ Monster Collecting
⚫︎ Farming Simulation
⚫︎ Action RPG
⚫︎ Visual Novel Story-telling
⚫︎ English and Japanese Voice-Acting
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Farmagia's gameplay and story.
| Digital Storefronts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Switch |
 Steam |
 PlayStation |
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| Price | $49.99 | ||||
Farmagia Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Hiro Mashima Iconic Art Style Great Voice-Acting and Music Unique Farming Sim |
Gameplay Loop Gets Repetitive Quickly Awful Gameplay Visuals Really Annoying Characters |
Farmagia Overall Score - 72/100
Farmagia has so much going for it: a unique farming-action RPG combination and Hiro Mashima’s captivating art, but it doesn’t quite harness these strengths, ending up as a frustratingly mixed experience. It has all the ingredients for a great farming RPG, yet the gameplay and story feel rushed and undercooked, as if it wasn’t ready for harvest. And if a sequel ever happens, here’s hoping they retire Lookie-Loo—the ugly one-eyed fairy mascot that’s more annoying than endearing!
Farmagia Story - 6/10
Farmagia sticks closely to the conventions of a typical shounen fantasy, and while I appreciate its straightforward approach, the characters, unfortunately, lean heavily on familiar archetypes and clichés. The sidekick partner, Lookie-Loo, is the worst offender in this regard—both in terms of design and personality. His bizarre, appearance and endless “eye” puns are more irritating than charming. “Eye” cannot stand this little annoying mascot.
Farmagia Gameplay - 7/10
Farmagia is essentially a blend of Pikmin and Rune Factory, and while there are enjoyable aspects—like the monster-farming mechanics and relationship-building elements—the game quickly loses its appeal in other areas. The action feels repetitive due to uninspired maps, generic monsters, and somewhat clunky gameplay mechanics, making it difficult to stay engaged for long.
Farmagia Visuals - 7/10
Hiro Mashima’s character designs, with their familiar patterns from Fairy Tail, Eden Zero, and Rave Master, bring a fun, recognizable style to the visuals, especially during cutscenes in Farmagia. However, the in-game visuals are a bit jarring—the intense contrast and bright, cartoonish colors make the graphics look mushy and unappealing. It would have been more visually cohesive if they had used the watercolor style seen on the game's cover, which better complements Mashima's art.
Farmagia Audio - 9/10
I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of voice acting in this game—nearly every story scene is voiced, and the actors do a solid job, making it feel like watching an anime. The OST also stands out, especially during maze exploration where it definitely gets your adrenaline pumping.
Farmagia Value for Money - 7/10
Unfortunately, with its $50 price tag, I can't fully recommend Farmagia. The game is a mixed bag, and while it has its moments, it's likely only die-hard Mashima fans and dedicated farming sim enthusiasts will truly appreciate it despite its flaws.
Farmagia Review: A Lackluster Harvest Moon and Fairy Tail Mesh
Just Not Harvestable Yet
Farmagia is one of those games you genuinely want to enjoy, but it’s held back by issues that make it difficult to fully recommend. But before diving into that, what exactly is Farmagia? It’s a unique blend of ARPG, creature collecting, and farming simulation, drawing inspiration from games like Pikmin, Rune Factory, and Pokemon. The game deserves credit for attempting something fresh and different, combining elements from these genres in a way that sets it apart from other titles.
Farmagia’s gameplay centers around a loop of farming, training, battling, and completing side quests, including the unique Elemental Shrines. Monsters, called Battle Buddies,
start as plants you grow on your farm, then develop into allies who can either work around the farm as Agri Buddies
or join you in battles. Training Battle Buddies involves balancing motivation with skill upgrades at the ranch, getting them battle-ready.
On the battlefield, Battle Buddies can be commanded to attack individually or in packs, using special moves like Unite Blitzes for area-wide attacks or Fusion Summons to create a larger, more powerful creature. You can recall your allies by guarding, then lead them into roguelike, procedurally generated mazes where you’ll encounter enemies, loot items, and find temporary power-ups for Farmagia or your Battle Buddies. These mazes culminate in a boss fight.
The story unfolds in a visual novel style, with character portraits, text boxes, and occasional cutscenes and CG art. Side quests include navigating unique mazes and the Elemental Shrines, where you search for Elemental Spirits. Making pacts with these spirits unlocks new Fusions, while increasing your affinity with them enhances these abilities. Giving gifts or completing Spirit Trials further strengthens your bonds with the Elementals, adding layers to the game’s progression system.
Mashima’s Iconic Art Style in Full Display
One standout feature of Farmagia is Hiro Mashima’s art style, which shines in the memorable character designs, lending a distinct Fairy Tale vibe to this fantasy world. Mashima’s signature design reappearances are on display here, with Ten resembling Natsu with his spiky red hair, Leii bringing a more chill version of Gray, and Arche giving off serious Lucy vibes. Nares, in particular, is very reminiscent of Erza. My personal favorite is Anzar, who feels fresh and unique, sporting closed eyes and long hair, deviating from Mashima’s typical design patterns.
The Elemental Spirits, however, steal the show—Mashima’s approach to them feels refreshingly different, and they’re visually stunning. Even the “Battle Buddies” and creatures you encounter have a certain charm—well, except for Lookie-Loo, an odd, unlikable eye fairy who comes off as a less endearing and less cute version of Happy or Plue.
A Farmer's Life for Me
The farming mechanics in Farmagia may not be as complex as those in other farming sims, but they’re relaxing and rewarding. You start with a modest plot, gradually expanding as you unlock more seeds and abilities to enhance your yield. I appreciate the customization options and the ways to improve your farming with Agri-Buddies—these helpful creatures make farming more efficient and improve crop yields.
Research skills also contribute to developing your farming techniques, adding a layer of progression. Plus, the variety of Buddies
you can grow, from ravenous wolves to adorable baby dragons, brings an element of excitement to collecting and nurturing these unique, wonderfully designed companions.
A Fun Story with Less-than-Memorable Characters
Farmagia leans into the classic fantasy shounen structure, centering on a straightforward plot where you rebel against an evil force, Glaza—one of the Oración Generals—who threatens the peace of the unique world of Felicidad. While simple, the plot is direct, which I found refreshing. The story mode benefits from voice acting, and the soundtrack is surprisingly enjoyable.
Unfortunately, many characters come across as one-note, with some even bordering on annoying. Ten, the protagonist, is the quintessential shounen hero who’s all about getting stronger with his friends—characters who feel like more generic versions of those in Fairy Tail.
Then there's Lookie-Loo, the mascot character who constantly delivers eye-related puns and whose voice is outright grating. Lookie-Loo lacks the charm seen in Hiro Mashima’s other mascots like Happy, ending up as an unappealing, overly annoying addition to the cast.
Gameplay Loops Gets Repetitive Quickly
While I genuinely enjoyed the farming aspects of Farmagia, the rest of the gameplay falls short, particularly the ARPG elements. The dungeon mazes are poorly designed, with repetitive layouts and bland, monotonous environments. Combat, too, feels uninspired, often boiling down to tedious button-mashing with little need for strategy. A more effective approach might have been to allow for direct control over Battle Buddies, similar to Pikmin, which would’ve added a strategic layer.
The overly bright, high-contrast visuals further detract from the experience, making environments look cheap, muddy, and often hard on the eyes. This visual approach feels jarring rather than immersive. Unfortunately, the user interface is also quite basic, with bland, uninspired menus that only add to the game’s lack of polish and variety.
Is Farmagia Worth It?
Buy it On Sale
At its current price point, I can't recommend Farmagia—especially with so many other affordable, higher-quality alternatives available. Despite its unique concept and strong foundation, it ultimately feels like a missed opportunity. Only the most dedicated Mashima fans or farm sim enthusiasts who have exhausted other options might find some enjoyment here. For now, I’d suggest waiting for a sale if you're curious.
| Digital Storefronts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switch |
Steam |
PlayStation |
|||
| Price | $49.99 | ||||
Farmagia FAQ
Does Farmagia have an Anime?
According to Marvelous USA, Farmagia will receive an anime adaptation.
Who Are the Characters in Farmagia
⚫︎ Ten
⚫︎ Leii
⚫︎ Arche
⚫︎ Chica
⚫︎ Emero
⚫︎ Anzar
⚫︎ Nares
⚫︎ Lookie-Loo
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Farmagia Product Information
 |
|
| Title | FARMAGIA |
|---|---|
| Release Date | November 1, 2024 |
| Developer | Marvelous Inc. |
| Publisher | XSEED Games, Marvelous USA, Inc., Marvelous |
| Supported Platforms | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PC (Steam) |
| Genre | Role-playing, Action, Adventure |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| ESRB Rating | RP |
| Official Website | Farmagia Website |
