Stardew Valley plucks players from their soul-crushing desk jobs and deposits them on a quaint farm in the middle of nowhere. There, they’re expected to keep up with a never-ending list of tasks, from raising crops to mining to dating townfolk.

Eight years later, this cozy game by solo dev Eric Barone remains a cult favorite. New updates constantly add new content and activities, and the game’s loop never feels unwieldy.

Farming

Stardew Valley is a farming, ranching, and foraging game. Players make a majority of their money by planting and harvesting crops.

The player's farming level affects the price of most crops at the general store, and fertilizer increases their base value. Players can also grow high-end crops such as Pumpkins, which take 13 days to harvest and generate a significant profit, or Cranberries that can be harvested multiple times for a consistent income.

The player can use the farm layout planner to pre-design their farms' areas and buildings before starting a new year. This can save time and money during gameplay.

Mining

Mining is one of the most important activities that supports Stardew Valley players in collecting resources for crafting, tool upgrades, and overall farm progression. Mastering this activity requires proper preparation, including bringing food for energy restoration and strong weapons.

The first section of the Mines, spanning floors 1-40, offers an earthy tunnel environment with abundant Copper Ore and Stone. It also introduces early-game enemies like Green Slimes and Rock Crabs that offer an introduction to combat. Additionally, it introduces Geodes that contain valuable minerals and artifacts.

Fishing

Like mining and farming, fishing is another skill that can be leveled up. It has ten levels, and each one provides a 1 increase to the fishing rod proficiency and unlocks items.

Aim to get to level five before you settle into your farm, since the fishing profession is a major economic contributor and offers a variety of unlockable rewards. Other tips include avoiding vigorous tapping and carrying food that boosts your fishing skill, checking the weather (which can change which fish are available), and focusing on rare and valuable catches.

Romancing NPCs

Stardew Valley is a hugely popular game that blends the best elements of Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon. It has a massive fanbase that has spawned tons of merch.

Players can romance NPCs by regularly talking to them and giving them gifts two times per week or on their birthday. They can also increase their friendship level by granting them wishes.

Alex is the town jock who enjoys discussing sports and physical activities. However, his one-note personality may not appeal to all players.

Crafting

Stardew Valley is the gift that keeps on giving, with solo developer Eric Barone regularly releasing free content-packed updates years after the indie farming game's initial release. The latest major update, 1.6, added numerous new crafting recipes to the game's extensive catalogue. Like cooking, crafting is an in-game activity that creates items from a list of ingredients. The player starts the game with access to ten recipes, and must learn more by developing friendships with townsfolk or purchasing them from shops.

Collecting Coins

Building wealth in Stardew Valley is a rewarding experience. It's also a daunting task. While growing crops for their profits is a natural first thought, it's important to build a balanced strategy.

Gold can be earned by foraging, fishing, mining, and fighting. It can then be sold to various merchants, including Pierre's General Store, the Fish Shop, and the Blacksmith. It can also be spent on bundle items from the Community Center.

Investing in Real Estate

Ever wanted to drop your cubicle job and start a quiet life away from the big city? In Stardew Valley, you can vicariously live that dream.

Stardew Valley players need a lot of gold to get settled into the community and accomplish their goals. Thankfully, the game has several ways to quickly amass cash. Some strategies are better than others, however. Using the Greenhouse and Ginger Island to farm crops like Ancient Fruit and Blueberries year round gives players an eye-watering amount of gold.

Traveling to Other Locations

There are some items in Stardew Valley that can be difficult to get. Fortunately, there are a few ways to help players obtain these items.

One of these methods is visiting the Traveling Merchant. This merchant sells a variety of items, including furniture catalogs and outdoor decorations.

Unlike the shops in Pelican Town, which sell a set array of items, the Traveling Merchant has a rotating list of stock. This can make her a valuable resource for some players.