Farming simulation games are a dime a dozen, especially after their surge in interest during lockdown. While their appeal has endured ever since, there is one that has risen to the top: Stardew Valley.
There’s an undeniable charm to this game—it’s fun, relaxing, and oddly satisfying. But there’s something special about Stardew Valley that sets it apart.
Since its 2016 release, Stardew Valley has won over gamers and critics alike. There are entire YouTube channels dedicated solely to its gameplay and characters, and respected game reviewers have all rated the game with great praise.
On November 4, Stardew Valley rolled out the highly anticipated 1.6 release—and with it, another swell of popularity.
Here’s a look at why it’s won gamers from all walks of life over.
Stardew Valley Premise and Goals
In Stardew Valley, players start by designing their character’s appearance, choosing a name, and stepping into a new life.
The game opens in an office setting, where our character works for a corporation called Joja. Then, a letter from their late grandfather arrives, revealing a plot of land he left for them in Pelican Town, a quaint, close-knit community where everyone knows each other.
Stardew Valley offers open-ended gameplay, allowing players to choose their own path, whether that’s cultivating relationships with the townspeople or developing their farm. The game cycles through seasons, starting off in Spring and taking you through the other three seasons with different crops for each.
If players opt to follow the main storyline, their goal is to restore the town’s abandoned community center, which has fallen into disrepair.
Restoring the community center also prevents Joja, the corrupt corporation you once worked for, from taking over the town. In addition to farming and building, players can form friendships and even pursue romantic relationships with various townsfolk.
Just like in real life, romantic relationships require investment and progression, or they just might fall apart as one Redditor found out the hard way.
Each character has a unique backstory and dialogue, adding depth and enriching the overall experience.
Stardew Valley‘s Developer, ConceredApe
Another compounding factor for what makes this game so lovable is it’s designer and developer, Eric Barone, who goes by ConcernedApe in internet communities.
Barone single-handedly designed every aspect of the game’s original release, initially as a project to add to his portfolio to show employers.
ConcernedApe is active on Discord and the game’s official forum, where he frequently interacts with Stardew Valley gamers on bugs and patches.
Even its bugs and patches are endearing.
Somehow, this bug made the game even more delightful.
Sometimes, ConcernedApe gets creative with patches and fixes. That was evident with the 1.6 release bug that I’ll call: The case of the missing chickens.
While ConcernedApe was working on a fix, he offered some lore to explain:
Ah yes, coyotes. It happens to every farmer at some point or another!
It’s details like this that earned the game Steam’s “The World Is Grim Enough Let’s Just All Get Along” Award in 2017.
Though his net worth isn’t exactly known, considering the success of the game, it’s likely Barone doesn’t have to continue working. Yet, he does. His love for what he’s building shows in every detail.
While he now has a team of developers working on the game, Barona still works on the game first-hand.
Why Does Everyone Love Stardew Valley So Much?
Stardew Valley has won over a wide audience, from young players to older fans, thanks to its charming retro, pixelated art style and affordable price of $14.99.
The game offers a form of escapism, allowing players to unwind and temporarily forget about stress or emotional burdens by immersing themselves in the peaceful, simple world of farming.
At the end of the day, they can always open their laptops and load up their farms, immersing themselves in this simplistic world.
In this world, players can be whoever they want, free from prejudice, offering a comforting escape from both societal and personal struggles. Stardew Valley provides a unique sense of comfort that draws players back again and again, helping to keep its vibrant community thriving. The Stardew Valley Reddit community has nearly 2.5 million people—and for good reason.
In June of this year, ConcernedApe announced Stardew Valley had reached an impressive milestone: More than 30 million copies sold.
With its low price point, lovable characters, vibrant community, and simple game controls, Stardew Valley holds a special place in the hearts of gamers everywhere.
The 1.6 release rolled out on all platforms on November 4, making fans fall in love with Stardew Valley all over again.
This article is for informational purposes only. Trendy Matters has no affiliation with any of the brands or individuals mentioned, and the views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
