Slime Rancher

Lore & Background

The game is set on a planet called the Far Far Range, where the player controls a character named Beatrix LeBeau, a rancher who moves there to live the life of a 'slime rancher'. The gameplay involves constructing a ranch, exploring the world, and collecting, raising, feeding, and breeding slimes—gelatinous living organisms of various sizes and characteristics. Progress is guided by notes left by the previous owner of the ranch. The main economic loop centers on feeding slimes appropriate food items so they produce 'plorts', which are sold for Newbucks used to purchase upgrades to equipment and farm buildings. With the exception of pink slimes, each slime species eats only one of three food types: fruit, veggie, or meat. Each also has a favorite food that yields double the plorts. The player uses a vacuum tool called a 'Vacpack' to collect slimes, food, and plorts, but storage is limited. Two slimes can be combined into a 'Largo' by feeding one a plort from another species, producing two plorts when fed. However, if a Largo consumes a plort different from its base species, it becomes a malevolent black slime called the 'Tarr', which can be disintegrated with fresh water. Various slime types exist, including docile, harmful, non-farmable, and feral varieties, and most have a 'Gordo' version—an immobile giant slime that, when fed enough, explodes into normal slimes and loot.

Reader's Guide

Slime Rancher achieved notable commercial success, selling over 800,000 copies by May 2017, 2 million copies by February 28, 2019, and over 5 million copies by January 14, 2022. The early access version received generally positive reviews, with critics noting some bugs but praising the game's premise and cute creatures. The full release received generally favorable reviews on Metacritic, with reviewers highlighting its relaxing and cathartic nature while noting it could be repetitive. It was recognized in Game Informer's Reader's Choice Best of 2017 Awards, tying for third place for 'Best Microsoft Game' and placing second for 'Best Simulation Game', and also won the latter category in the website's own Best of 2017 Awards. A DLC called 'Secret Style Pack' was released on June 19, 2019, adding cosmetic appearances. A sequel, Slime Rancher 2, entered early access on September 23, 2022, for Windows and Xbox Series X/S, with an official release on September 23, 2025. A feature film adaptation was reported in development in August 2023 by Dmitri M. Johnson and Mike Goldberg's Story Kitchen.

Did You Know?

• The game was developed in Popovich's apartment, relying on other people's code for the initial prototype.
• The Vacpack is a portmanteau of 'vacuum' and 'backpack'.
• A Gordo slime requires 50 of its food type (or 25 of its favorite food) to explode.