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Stardew Valley is the game people recommend when someone asks for something relaxing. It is a farming game, a life sim, a dungeon crawler and a small town story all at once, and it was made by one person. Years after release it is still one of the easiest games to lose an entire weekend to. Here is what Stardew Valley is, why it works and where to buy a copy.
What it is
Stardew Valley is a country life role-playing game (RPG). The setup is simple: you have inherited your grandfather's old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand me down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin a new life, turning overgrown fields into a lively, bountiful farm.
What you do from there is up to you. You can raise animals, go fishing, tend crops, craft items or do all of it. There are hundreds of character and home decoration options. Nearby Pelican Town is home to over 30 residents you can befriend, and 12 of them are townsfolk you can court and even start a family with. Beneath the valley are vast, mysterious caves with dangerous monsters and valuable treasures.
Who made it
The story behind the game is part of its appeal. According to the official site, Stardew Valley 1.0 was developed completely solo by ConcernedApe, the name used by Eric Barone, over the course of four and a half years. It was released on February 26, 2016. The 1.1 update was also made solo, and starting with 1.3 others helped with updates. ConcernedApe self-publishes the game on all platforms.
That one person approach shows. The art, music, writing and systems all feel like they come from the same mind, with a warmth and consistency that big studio games often struggle to match.
Why it is cool
Stardew Valley has a rhythm that is hard to put down. You tend your crops, check on your animals, visit a neighbor, maybe head down into the caves, then wake up and do it again with a little more to show for it. Watching an overgrown plot turn into a thriving farm is one of the most satisfying slow burns in games.
It is also forgiving. There is no single right way to play. Some players build a hyper efficient farm and spend their time optimizing profits. Others spend most days fishing and chatting with townsfolk. Both are valid, and the game rewards both.
The townspeople are a highlight. With more than 30 residents to befriend, Pelican Town feels like a real community, and those relationships give the farm a reason to exist beyond making money.
Tips for your first days
- Do not try to do everything at once. Pick one or two goals for each day, like clearing a patch of field or meeting a few neighbors.
- Talk to everyone. The residents of Pelican Town are the heart of the game, and getting to know them opens up the world.
- Mix it up. If farming starts to feel like a chore, go fishing or explore the caves for a while. The game is happy to let you set the pace.
Where you can play it
The official FAQ lists PC, Mac and Linux, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, iOS and Android among its platforms, and it has full controller support on consoles. It supports a long list of languages, including English, German, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Italian, French, Korean, Turkish and Hungarian. For a fun bit of trivia, the game is coded in C#.
Who should buy it
Buy Stardew Valley if you want a relaxing game you can play in short sessions or long ones, or if you like farming and life sims. It is also a great first game for people who do not usually play video games. If you love its loop of small, satisfying progress, try Hades next for a faster take on the same idea that every attempt moves you forward.
It is also an ideal handheld game. See our picks for the best handheld game consoles for indie games.
Where to buy
For more game music worth owning, see our video game soundtracks on vinyl starter guide, or browse our film and games picks.
