Stardew Valley
Platform: PC
Developer: Concerned Ape
Publisher: Chucklefish Games
Author: S.A.
So there are so many games out on the market that sometimes things just slip by my notice, despite the avid popularity that might surround the game. This is especially true for PC games, as the sheer plethora of games available for that platform seems never ending. With that said, and all my excuses firmly in place for missing this fun bit of gaming, let me introduce Stardew Valley.
The game play for this well loved video game isn’t anything to write home about, as neither the graphics or the style of play are truly groundbreaking. That said, it’s actually just the run of the mill playing and day to day activities that draw players in such an astounding fashion. Stardew Valley is a farming simulation game that is based heavily of the Harvest Moon series. When players start the game, they become the owner of a plot of land that has been gifted to us by our grandfather. This plot is overrun with various wildlife, and as such it is up to players to not only clean the plot up, but to restart the farm itself. This mean tending to crops, livestock and even generating income so they can expand the farm’s buildings and facilities.
So far sounds pretty mundane, right?
However players can also interact with the residents of Stardew Valley, ranging from friendships to actions that can culminate in marriage. Which in turn allows for us to have an NPC now help us out on the farm itself. The fun doesn’t stop there, as we become capable of a variety of tasks within the game that include fishing, cooking, crafting, or even fighting our way through ‘dungeons’ to gain rare materials. It is important to note that actions will cause your health and exhaustion levels to be effected, thus players must decide what they truly wish to do on any given day as the opportunities for certain adventures cannot be realized beyond a certain time slot.
So essentially it’s just like Sims right?
Yes, and no.
On the surface the game feels like a normal Sim game, but due to the sheer variety of choices available to us throughout it begins to distance itself from that type of branding. There are various mysteries hidden throughout the world of Stardew Valley to solve, and each time you or your friends encounter one it makes you realize the depth and breath of this 2D pixeled world. On top of that the game is constantly getting updates from it’s sole creator and worker Eric Barone. The individual who has sunk four years of his life, and all of his free time into this creation, has produced a true masterpiece of fun gaming.
So while it may not be your regular shoot them till you drop game, Stardew Valley is still fun in it’s own right and offers so many chances at replay ability and gaming fun.
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