Why this simple-at-first-glance farm game will steal your heart.
Two weeks ago, I made the incredible choice to download Stardew Valley for my Nintendo Switch after seeing all the amazing reviews on it. Not expecting much, I (rather naïvely) began to play.
Seven hours later, I realized that this game was going to take over my life, and I happily let it.
A couple weeks and fifty hours later, I've realized that this game is about ten times more addictive than Animal Crossing, and despite the more vintage graphics, it appears to have even more depth. Where Animal Crossing New Horizons is a very aesthetics-driven game, with most of the play driven from attempting to make your town look incredible, Stardew Valley has so much more than just that.
Let's dive into the ten reasons why Stardew Valley is incredible, and why it may just be better than Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
1. The characters.
The backstories behind every single character, and each one's consecutive development throughout the game, is absolutely incredible. We have characters from all sorts of different backgrounds. There's a man with PTSD after returning from a war, a writer living on the beach, an abusive alcoholic mother, a jock who lives with his grandparents after his parents passed away, and so much more. The backstories behind some of these people won't even be revealed until you interact with them enough.
2. Mining.
Mining is one of my favourite parts of the games, as it is both challenging at times, and very rewarding. The first exploration of the mines--and trying to reach the bottom of it--is difficult but extremely fun. Not only do you get to harvest some very rare items and gems, the game throws in combat to the mix. The surprises that await you as you mine are extremely fun!
3. It's only $15 (and is worth a LOT more).
I honestly keep forgetting that this game is only $15. Based on the 50 hours I've already played of it, I would be willing to cough up $60 for it. The amount of depth involved in the game--and the fact that you could easily spend over 300 hours playing it without getting bored--is insane, and the fact that it's only a fourth of the price of Animal Crossing: New Horizons? Blows my mind.
4. Fishing.
I'm just going to say it: the fishing in this game is INCOMPARABLE to the fishing in Animal Crossing. Whereas in Animal Crossing you just sit around and wait for a noise to appear, then click a single button, in Stardew Valley, fishing is stressful but a lot more interactive. It's challenging at times, but that's what I love about it. Not only that, the ability to upgrade your fishing rod, try different lures, and add bait to make fishing easier is extremely fun. Let's not forget the part where you can also find treasure while you're fishing!
5. The ability to get married.
The fact that you can date NPCs and choose which one to marry is both fun and adds a very interesting dynamic to the game. Being able to choose from 12 different marriage options, each with their own perks and storylines, is really fun and adds some interesting flavour.
6. It was made by ONE GUY.
Eric Barone, under the alias "ConcernedApe", created this entire game all by himself (albeit the later addition of multiplayer mode was created with help from a few other developers). The fact that he not only coded the game, wrote all the script, composed the music, and did all the art, among everything else that goes into making a game like this, flabbergasts me.
7. THE MUSIC.
Listen to the part at 2:20 and tell me that isn't amazing. Overall, the music is incredible, and the fact that all of it was composed by the guy who made the ENTIRE game is jaw-dropping. All the themes fit with each season and seem so lovingly composed it's hard to not to feel completely sucked-in to the world that Eric Barone made. The music isn't only relaxing to listen to (and extremely hard to get tired of), it also stirs your emotions!
8. Tons of hidden Easter eggs and secrets.
No matter how long you play this game for, there are so many buried secrets and little Easter eggs that you will always find yourself becoming surprised. Barone stated there's an Easter egg so obscure, he doubts anyone will be able to find it.
9. Crafting and upgrading your farm.
Stardew Valley's crafting mechanism is fun and it's easy to craft all kinds of new helpful mechanisms for your farm, and figure out ways to make even more profit, such as the addition of making beer, creating jams and jellies, making mayonnaise and cheese, and more. Eventually the game even lets you unlock the ability to create new clothes for your character.
10. The extremely comforting atmosphere of the game.
The final aspect that just really sets this game apart from other games is the part that is the hardest to describe. Stardew Valley has the most relaxed, comforting atmosphere out of every game that I've ever played in my life. Is it the music? The incredible, fleshed-out characters? The many different things you are able to do in the game? It's something more than that, but just look at some of the reviews for this game and realize I'm not the only one who feels this way. The game truly forces you to immerse yourself into this quiet yet bustling little town, and connect with something you never realized you needed.
Elliott's my boyfriend now actually ;-) But I might switch to Abigail who knows
Elliot looking fine