Stardew Valley (PC) Review

At first, Stardew Valley doesn't look like much more than a retro-styled farm simulation game. There's some key differences, though, and they're apparent right from the onset. Every bit of dialogue makes a determined effort to provide actual character and story development right from the introductory scenes, and that continues throughout the course of the game.

Not to say that Stardew Valley isn't full of ways to waste hours upon hours cultivating crops and getting back to nature. There's constantly something to explore; whether it's waiting one more day for crops to grow, or just making that last cast for one more fish to catch, it's possible for an entire day to slip away in farmland tranquillity, and even then, it's still more than possible to feel a sense of accomplishment at the day's seemingly mundane tasks.

What's striking about this title in contrast to traditional farm sims is how much choices actually do matter. While the obvious choices in time management can have the expected impact on the day-to-day goings on, there's more to explore than just the characters in the valley. Choices like loyalty to your former employer, Joja Corporation, can have long-standing repercussions for the residents of the town, and the reverse can alter the town's state in other unusual ways, such as permanently locking out particular building choices.

It's just such a change from what the genre has seen recently. The Story of Seasons franchise hasn't really done anything to shake up their formula; if anything, the series has only stagnated in the past six or seven years. On the other hand, Stardew Valley has characters that feel not only unique, but have actual depth and development throughout your entire relationship with them.

Even the seasonal events emphasise the importance of dividing time between socialising and farm work. Without sufficient standing with the town's residents, it's entirely possible to wind up alone for the holidays. Courting any of the twelve available bachelors and bachelorettes can be quite an undertaking, as well, but it's definitely worth it. There's so much personality in these characters that it's hard not to want to see as much of them as possible.

That's not to say that everything is perfect; the controls are somewhat finnicky, especially when trying to move the onscreen character around the tiles on the actual farmland. Selecting and using tools can take a bit of getting used to, as well, and the controller support leaves quite a bit to be desired. It definitely gets easier over time, but there's still a significant learning curve, especially for players unused to the genre.

Still, Stardew Valley is one of the best examples of that "just one more hour" mindset in more laid-back games. It's so easy to get lost in day-to-day life in the valley, and so enjoyable to discover the deeper reaches of friendship with its residents. Each day brings something new, and there's never a shortage of things to accomplish.