Ranch Simulator is an open-world ranch simulator game developed by Toxic Dog and published by Excalibur Games. The player assumes the role of a city dweller who inherits a derelict ranch after his grandfather's passing. Throughout the game, the player will have to restore the place to its former glory and manage it, looking after the livestock to make a profit and hunting game in the surrounding woodland area. Released in Early Access in March 2021, Ranch Simulator was met with a positive reception, with the players praising the mechanics of the ranching game and its ambitious scope. 

Home on the ranch 

The story of Ranch sim game follows the player, who inherits a run-down ranch from his late grandfather. The player arrives to find the place ruined and in dire need of a fixer-upper. They begin working on bringing the ranch to its former glory, restoring the buildings, breeding livestock, and growing crops. Throughout the game, the player will find out that managing a ranch isn't as easy as it would initially seem, and running a successful operation takes a lot of effort. 

Need a hand with that, ranch hand? 

Ranch Simulator is an open-world sandbox farm game, where the player has a free choice of how to approach running their operation. The derelict state of the place calls for a renovation, and the player will have to choose the required components to make their ranch look the part. Raising ranch buildings, such as barns, stables, and silos, will cost the player money, so the player should also focus on breeding livestock - cattle, poultry, etc.

Selling animals and their products will provide necessary funding for better equipment and more advanced buildings. The game is set in an open-world, woodland environment, which the player will explore during hunting. Killing deers and bears will provide more produce for selling, but the player should be careful not to stray from the farm for too long, lest it falls prey to wolves and other predators. Ranch Simulator also features a co-op multiplayer, in which the players can work together in running their enterprise. 

Reception 

The initial reception of Ranch Simulator was fairly positive. While the Early Acces players noted the game was far from completion, they praised the mechanics of this homestead simulation game, its realistic approach to managing a farm, and the large scope of the operation the player gets to manage. 

Key features 

• Experience the joys and hardships of running a successful ranch 
• Build facilities like barns and silos to store feed and keep the livestock
• Breed cows, chickens, and other animals and sell the produce to keep the operation going 
• Explore the open wilderness around your ranch and hunt big game 
• Work together with other players in an online co-op mode