Game review | Mingyue Yao
Screenshot of the Stardew Valley main menu. Photograph: Mingyue Yao
After leaving their cubicle job and inheriting an old farm from their grandfather, players arrive in Stardew Valley, ready to escape the fast pace of modern life.
Here, no matter the passing days or seasons, the next day always comes.
Stardew Valley invites players to find peace and joy through planting crops, building friendships, and embracing the slow rhythm of countryside life.
Game Backgrounds
Stardew Valley is a pixel-art farming simulation and role-playing game (RPG) indie game, first released in 2016.
Eric Barone, also known as ConcernedApe, developed this game, which was gaining key inspiration from the Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons game series.
It is available across a wide range of digital platforms, including PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and mobile devices (iOS and Android).
Since its release, Stardew Valley has won several impressive awards, such as the ‘Breakthrough Award’ at the 2016 Golden Joystick Awards and ‘The World Is Grim Enough Let’s Just All Get Along’ Award at The Steam Awards in 2017.
Stardew Valley gets regular updates on new content, areas and features to keep the game fresh since its 2016 release. The most recent major update, Version 1.6, launched in March 2024.
Ongoing updates and strong community support from the official sites such as the Stardew Valley Forums and active fan communities on Discord, Reddit and Tumblr, have helped keep the game’s popularity and positive reputation.
Gameplay
Screenshot of the Stardew Valley at the beginning of the storyline. Photograph: Mingyue Yao
Stardew Valley is a farm-based game set in the peaceful Pelican Town, players inherit their grandfather’s old farm and begin their new journey into country life.
The game follows four distinct seasons — Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter — and continues over an unlimited number of years. Each season brings different crops, festivals and challenges, encouraging players to plan ahead and adapt to their changing environment.
Screenshot of the four seasons in Stardew Valley. Photo: Mingyue Yao
Apart from farming, the social interaction system is one of the game’s unique aspects.
Players can enjoy Stardew Valley in multiplayer mode, teaming up with real-life friends to manage their farm and explore together.
In addition, players can build relationships with the town’s non-play character (NPC) residents.
Each NPC character has its own distinct personality and story. By chatting regularly, giving gifts, and joining local festivals, players can form deep friendships or even romantic relationships with them.
These social connections unlock new storylines and rewards, making social interaction a core element of the gameplay.
A photograph of Mingyue Yao interacting with villagers in Stardew Valley. Photograph: Symren Gill
Another major highlight of Stardew Valley is the high level of freedom. There is no single “correct” way to play or fixed objectives.
Players can choose their own way according to their interests such as focusing entirely on agriculture, exploring hidden caves, fishing by the river, or simply spending time doing nothing, every choice has a unique experience.
Mingyue Yao interacting with villagers in Stardew Valley. Photo: Symren Gill
Additionally, the game also balances daily tasks with long-term goals, keeping players immersed in this game world.
Each in-game day is limited to 14 real-time minutes. This time-constrained gameplay challenges players to manage real-time carefully as they balance handling their farm, maintaining social connections, and exploring new areas.
For those seeking more excitement, Stardew Valley includes adventure elements. Players can explore nearby mines, uncover rare minerals, or even battle monsters. These mechanics include high risks, valuable rewards, and plenty of resources, giving players extra challenges and achievements.
To learn more information about Stardew Valley, visit the official blog:
https://www.stardewvalley.net/
