Stardew Valley is an open-world, farming simulation video game developed by ConcernedApe and published by Chucklefish in collaboration with ConcernedApe. The game was released on February 26, 2016. It is available on many platforms, including MS Windows, macOS, Linux, PS4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android devices.

Create an Empire out of a Tiny Farmland

Stardew Valley is a Harvest-Moon-inspired farming game in a fictional valley populated by NPCs who you can either befriend or hurt. You play as a farmer in Pelican City, a small rural town in this game. You must rebuild the farm by embarking on different missions and quests. You will start the game by exploring your grandfather’s farm and repairing everything. When you first enter the farm, you will find that it is filled with weeds, stumps, and all kinds of trees that you must clear to make the farm flourish. You must also take care of the crops and livestock to increase your income, which you can use to expand your farm and its facilities. 

Finding Beauty, Adventure, and Comfort in the Rural Setting

Stardew Valley offers a little bit of everything you could expect from a typical country role-playing game.  It’s not just about the farming, as Stardew Valley contains a deep friendship/rivalry/love story you wouldn’t find in other games. There are also so many activities within and outside the farm. I never run out of activities to engage in, including enlarging my crop farm, starting a fish farm, and craft or mining different resources. When I get bored with the economic activities, I move on to fight some monsters or socialize with people in the countryside. It’s a great thing that I don’t have to switch to 6 different games to find the variety I need. 

Beautiful Graphics and Detailed Gameplay

Stardew is a perfect combination of a farm simulation and a role-playing game. The game gives us a feel of the rural world with beautiful graphics. The scenery captures the country’s essence with buildings, farms, and neighborhoods that make you feel right at home. Players interact freely with the Non-player characters while building lasting relationships with them. Stardew Valley is a game I could always count on to make me feel relaxed. The setting is always a familiar and comfortable place for me. 

It is incredible how detailed each aspect of the game is, as the developers left no stone unturned while designing Stardew Valley. For example, if you accidentally trip over a garden crop, it will die, and you have to plant it again. You must learn to plant the right crops in the right place and time.

Five Different Farming Options to Explore 

Unlike most farming simulation games that concentrate mainly on one farming style, Stardew Valley features five kinds of land-based activities, including farming, fish farming, foraging, mining, and combat. These activities allow you to take a breath of fresh air from the annoying Joja Corporation bent on taking over Pelican city. It’s a good thing that the people are not just resourceful but also relentless in fighting for what belongs to them.

Simple, Yet Incredible Storyline

You were a worker at the infamous Joja Corporation but reign after your grandfather’s death to take over the farm he left for you. After settling down on the farm, you must choose between improving the Joja mart in town or rebuilding the long dilapidated community center. This decision is a major one since your choice affects the economic situation of the entire community. You also have to cooperate and socialize with the townspeople. 

Interacting with the Non-Player Characters

I love interacting with NPCs when playing games, and Stardew Valley gives me the perfect opportunity to do so. As you develop your farm, you’ll meet other people in the town and eventually make friends with some of them. You’ll most likely annoy some neighbors in the city by doing things they don’t like, such as providing them with the wrong gifts. 

You interact with NPCs in Stardew Valley much like other players in online multiplayer games. You can talk to them, invite them to your farm, or even live with you. I was surprised to find out that you could even engage in relationships with the NPCs that lead to marriage. When you marry a character, they live with you and help you tend to your farm. 

Help NPCs to Receive Favor from Them

The NPCs can provide you with quests, help you find specific items, or introduce you to other players. However, your relationship with these NPCs is limited, as you can only communicate with them while you’re doing specific things. When you meet with NPCs, you can invite them to your farm or chat with them at the inn.  They respond based on the nature of questions you ask them. Most of the NPCs in Stardew Valley are farmers, hunters, fishers, or Jojo Corporation. They are all very friendly and willing to help you out with anything. 

They will occasionally ask if you need any crops or seeds and help you provide them with what they need.  For instance, some of them could ask you for portion ingredients, perform chores, or explore the area.  In return for your services, they will give you some materials or helpful tips. However, I found some of these NPCs a little annoying, as they always seemed to be in my business. 

Conclusion

Stardew Valley is one of the most exciting countryside adventure games I’ve played since the Harvest Moon game series. It’s fun, beautiful, and combines all the features that make a rural setting beautiful. I hardly ever get tired of playing, as I never seem to run out of things to do. Every season comes with its wonders and mysteries to uncover, and the multiplayer feature makes the game even more exciting and engaging.