I have spent a lot of time playing Stardew Valley in 2024 and even more in the years since its release. Like many of you, I grew up playing cozy farming games, like Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town, which remains one of my all-time favorites. So, it was a no-brainer to dive into Stardew Valley the day it launched. But here we are, eight years later, and I’m still playing Stardew Valley. I think you should be, too!
Stardew Valley in 2024 is Iconic
Forgive me, but I was turned off when I first saw the teasers for Stardew Valley. I wouldn’t say I liked the aesthetic or pixel graphics because, back then, I was pompous and only sought the highest-quality visuals in my games. What a dumb way of thinking! But on day one, all those years ago, I gave in and bought a copy of the game. Shortly after that, I purchased one for my wife. And then another for my younger brother. I wanted everyone to play this magnetic farming game to see what it offered.
In 2024, I will have spent hundreds of hours in Stardew Valley across multiple systems. I’m sure some of you will dwarf my numbers significantly, and to that, I say, fabulous! It’s worth your time and energy.
What Makes Stardew Valley Great?
Whether you’re brand-new to gaming as a whole, missed out on the farming game crazy, or just out of the loop and looking to try something new, Stardew Valley is a fantastic entry point. It’s a laid-back farming sim with pixel graphics in which you take control of a beat-up farm left behind by your grandfather. Thankfully, he left some rusty tools to help you till the land and care for livestock.
But that’s only the beginning of the story. In time, you’ll learn what crops provide the most money in Spring and Fall, where to farm ore to upgrade your tools, which animals to focus on in your barn, and how to romance and marry characters. It’s a living, breathing world only confined by your imagination and willpower to progress.
I still remember my first Joja Farm. Obviously, there’s nothing but regret there, but it was a necessary endeavor to unlock all of the achievements in Stardew Valley. I focused on the most profitable crops and animals, essentially speedrunning the warehouse to see the ending. Then, I could return to my usual farming chores. Despite making plans to craft wine or focus solely on cows — a themed farmstead — I take a similar route each playthrough. Despite this, I’m not grumpy or “wasting” my time. I’m enjoying every minute as I water my cranberries and romance Haley (She has the best character arc!) for the umpteenth time.
Related: 8 Games You Can Spend 100 Hours In!
What’s Next for Stardew Valley?
Developer ConcernedApe is tirelessly working on his next upcoming game, The Haunted Chocolatier, but also on Update 1.6 of Stardew Valley. It promises to be a massive content update with new events, dialogue, clothing, end-game content, and so much more.
I don’t know about you, but I intend to continue playing Stardew Valley, especially on the Steam Deck, for a few more years. I don’t think we’ll get another cozy game like this one until his next hit!
The Guide Hall spent many hundreds of hours playing Stardew Valley, not because we had to for work but because it’s an exceptional game. Keep an eye out for upcoming features and game guides!