An unexpected new RPG is on the way that looks to be somewhat inspired by The Last of Us and Stardew Valley.
I think none of us likely had a new RPG that blends the worlds of The Last of Us and Stardew Valley on our bingo cards this week, but here we are.
To be fair, this is what’s so great about the indie gaming scene: the developers can dream and create whatever concepts they choose without the pressure of a meddling big publisher.
What makes this particular concept so intriguing is that Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us and ConcernedApe’s Stardew Valley are two very different games.
Originally released in 2013 on PlayStation 3, before getting multiple remasters, a remake and a sequel, The Last of Us is a third-person action adventure, set in a post-apocalyptic world brought to ruin thanks to a brutal cordyceps fungal outbreak (trust me, it’s far worse than it sounds).
As for Stardew Valley, this is a charming and cosy, top-down farming sim that is quite possibly one of the most relaxing and surprisingly deep indie games on the market. It’s why, since launching in 2016, it has been ported to every platform imaginable to a great deal of success.
So what is the new RPG that blends the worlds of The Last of Us and Stardew Valley? The game in question is the indie title, developed and published by BigQuest Studio, Ashfield Hollow.
“It’s been ten years since the outbreak, and the world has gone quiet. Most didn’t make it. You were found unconscious in the city and brought to Camp Ashfield, one of the last settlements still standing,” reads the synopsis of the game on Steam.
“Ashfield Hollow is a 2D post-apocalyptic RPG that blends life sim mechanics like farming, crafting, scavenging, and fishing with real-time combat and survival systems. Build your home, connect with other survivors, and carve out a future in a world that nearly ended. And still can.”
So excited to announce the demo of Ashfield Hollow, my 2D post-apocalyptic life sim, launches on September 15th!
Explore Camp Ashfield, craft, fight zombies, farm, and meet the survivors.
Wishlist now: https://t.co/s5P0T3xhPc#IndieGame #LifeSim #PostApocalyptic #SurvivalGame pic.twitter.com/gHtB9tUQtd
— BitQuest Studio (@bitqueststudio) September 2, 2025
After watching its gameplay trailer, Ashfield Hollow also gives me vibes of Retro City Rampage and Shakedown: Hawaii, two indie games from Vblank Entertainment. If you like old-school GTA games, I recommend checking those out.
At the time of writing, Ashfield Hollow does not have a release date. However, you can download and play its free demo from Steam right now.
What’s more, you can also add Ashfield Hollow to your Steam wishlist to be notified when it’s ready to be released.
This sounds like a fascinating blend of genres! Combining elements from both The Last of Us and Stardew Valley could lead to some unique gameplay and storytelling. I’m excited to see how they bring these worlds together!
Absolutely! The mix of survival themes from The Last of Us with the farming and community-building aspects of Stardew Valley could lead to some really unique gameplay experiences. I’m curious to see how they balance the darker narrative with the lighter, more whimsical elements.
That combination really opens up unique gameplay opportunities! It’ll be interesting to see how the emotional depth of survival interacts with the lighter, nurturing aspects of farming. Balancing those elements could lead to some compelling storytelling!
development team balances the survival elements with farming mechanics. Combining the emotional depth of a story like The Last of Us with the relaxing aspects of Stardew Valley could create a truly immersive experience. I’m curious to see how they integrate character development alongside resource management!