Have you ever felt like you’ve been crushed by modern life and in dire need of change? Fear not, because a farm located at Stardew Valley will give you a weekend getaway. Stardew Valley is a farming simulation role-playing video game that is heavily inspired by Yasuhiro Wada’s Harvest Moon series. With almost 20 million copies sold by 2022, it is no doubt that it is accurate that it’s cited as the greatest video game of all time. After spending almost 225 hours playing this game on my Nintendo Switch, let me share my insights on why you should also play and experience this breathtaking game. Insights regarding its compelling gameplay, stunning graphics, and melodic soundtracks.
Stardew Valley has several platforms that you can play on such as PC (Linux, Windows, and Mac), phones (IOS and Android), Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch. After the release of 1.3, multiplayer is now available on all platforms. One to four players are able to join a world through a split-screen over LAN or IP address. With a price value of $15, you are able to experience the marvelous and soothing world of Stardew Valley.
The game begins with a cutscene of a conversation with your dying grandfather, wherein they leave you with a run-down farm located at Pelican Town. The farming aspect of this game isn’t overly complex and tedious. However, during your first year, you won’t be able to get some of the best seeds that sell for a great price, optimize your farmland, implement an irrigation system, upgrade your tools, obtain livestock, and construct some buildings. Another challenge would be the low stamina bar. Most activities such as tilling the soil, planting seeds, tending some weeds, watering, mining, and fishing will reduce most of your stamina. It is quite difficult at first, however, once you’ve implanted your daily routine it won’t be much of a problem since you’re able to make the most of your days during that specific season. However, one thing that I would like to see an improvement on is the longevity of the day and night cycle. In my experience, I feel like it is too short for the things that I plan to accomplish within that day and so on. Since if you exceed past 2 am, you will collapse from exhaustion and lose some money and/or items if you don’t go back home immediately.
Found on the near east side of the farm is the Pelican Town, with a resident count of thirty that you can befriend. Expect that some may not be accepting at first, however, after you give them several gifts, they will slowly open up to you. There are also twelve bachelors and bachelorettes that you can date and start a family with. The more friendship hearts that you earn, the higher the chance you are able to get a cutscene event from them. Similar to Harvest Moon, this game also contains events and birthdays depicted on the calendar. During these festival events, there will be some limited-edition items sold in small booths and some objectives to be done.
In my opinion, the main selling point of this game is the graphics. The pixelated design for the landscape of the seasons is dazzling and breathtaking. It totally captures the atmosphere and essence of that specific season. An example would be in spring wherein there would be a random day when pink petals are being blown away by the wind. Some of the trees will also turn into a cherry blossom tree color. The characters, buildings, enemies, and in-game item design are also well-made. The combination of vibrant colors is also well thought of since they certainly do complement each other making it very pleasing to the eyes.
Consisting of 100 pieces of music, I was totally blown away by how captivating the soundtrack of this game is. The genre of the music made for Stardew Valley are Ambient, Bluegrass, and Modern Classical. All of the soundtracks are instrumental, and no lyrics are implemented. If I were to describe the music, it is nostalgic, calming, playful, atmospheric, and melodic. I find it quite charming and astonishing that each piece of music played for a certain scenario fits perfectly. Especially the background music for each season because it helped boost and build ambiance. The music and the graphics honestly complement each other.
Overall, Stardew Valley is the kind of game that is easy to get lost for several hours since there are so many activities you could do, developing a deep bond with fellow residents, quests to complete, and achievements to unlock. It feels fulfilling every time I complete quests and achievements, it gives me a boost of motivation to seek more things to accomplish. This game didn’t lack depth or uniqueness, and it had an impeccable narrative. With almost 225 hours of gameplay and reaching year six, there are still several things that I haven’t accomplished. Stories to uncover, items to collect to complete my collection, side quests to accomplish, and structures to build on my farm to fully complete and finish the game. I give this game a rating of 9.5 over 10. Players whose ideal games are similar to Harvest Moon and Animal Crossing will feel right at home here. However, those who aren’t within that alley might as well try it. Something might click and surprise you into loving the game as well.
Stardew Valley has several platforms that you can play on such as PC (Linux, Windows, and Mac), phones (IOS and Android), Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch. After the release of 1.3, multiplayer is now available on all platforms. One to four players are able to join a world through a split-screen over LAN or IP address. With a price value of $15, you are able to experience the marvelous and soothing world of Stardew Valley.
The game begins with a cutscene of a conversation with your dying grandfather, wherein they leave you with a run-down farm located at Pelican Town. The farming aspect of this game isn’t overly complex and tedious. However, during your first year, you won’t be able to get some of the best seeds that sell for a great price, optimize your farmland, implement an irrigation system, upgrade your tools, obtain livestock, and construct some buildings. Another challenge would be the low stamina bar. Most activities such as tilling the soil, planting seeds, tending some weeds, watering, mining, and fishing will reduce most of your stamina. It is quite difficult at first, however, once you’ve implanted your daily routine it won’t be much of a problem since you’re able to make the most of your days during that specific season. However, one thing that I would like to see an improvement on is the longevity of the day and night cycle. In my experience, I feel like it is too short for the things that I plan to accomplish within that day and so on. Since if you exceed past 2 am, you will collapse from exhaustion and lose some money and/or items if you don’t go back home immediately.
Found on the near east side of the farm is the Pelican Town, with a resident count of thirty that you can befriend. Expect that some may not be accepting at first, however, after you give them several gifts, they will slowly open up to you. There are also twelve bachelors and bachelorettes that you can date and start a family with. The more friendship hearts that you earn, the higher the chance you are able to get a cutscene event from them. Similar to Harvest Moon, this game also contains events and birthdays depicted on the calendar. During these festival events, there will be some limited-edition items sold in small booths and some objectives to be done.
In my opinion, the main selling point of this game is the graphics. The pixelated design for the landscape of the seasons is dazzling and breathtaking. It totally captures the atmosphere and essence of that specific season. An example would be in spring wherein there would be a random day when pink petals are being blown away by the wind. Some of the trees will also turn into a cherry blossom tree color. The characters, buildings, enemies, and in-game item design are also well-made. The combination of vibrant colors is also well thought of since they certainly do complement each other making it very pleasing to the eyes.
Consisting of 100 pieces of music, I was totally blown away by how captivating the soundtrack of this game is. The genre of the music made for Stardew Valley are Ambient, Bluegrass, and Modern Classical. All of the soundtracks are instrumental, and no lyrics are implemented. If I were to describe the music, it is nostalgic, calming, playful, atmospheric, and melodic. I find it quite charming and astonishing that each piece of music played for a certain scenario fits perfectly. Especially the background music for each season because it helped boost and build ambiance. The music and the graphics honestly complement each other.
Overall, Stardew Valley is the kind of game that is easy to get lost for several hours since there are so many activities you could do, developing a deep bond with fellow residents, quests to complete, and achievements to unlock. It feels fulfilling every time I complete quests and achievements, it gives me a boost of motivation to seek more things to accomplish. This game didn’t lack depth or uniqueness, and it had an impeccable narrative. With almost 225 hours of gameplay and reaching year six, there are still several things that I haven’t accomplished. Stories to uncover, items to collect to complete my collection, side quests to accomplish, and structures to build on my farm to fully complete and finish the game. I give this game a rating of 9.5 over 10. Players whose ideal games are similar to Harvest Moon and Animal Crossing will feel right at home here. However, those who aren’t within that alley might as well try it. Something might click and surprise you into loving the game as well.
