Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone, the creative mind behind Stardew Valley, has hinted at the possibility of developing a sequel, tentatively named "Stardew Valley 2." While this news might spark excitement among fans, Barone also shared a more grounded perspective during his interview with TigerBelly. He pointed out that expanding the current game is far simpler than starting from scratch, explaining, "It's all the systems — all the major systems — are already all done. That’s the stuff that’s not fun to do. When I make an update [for Stardew Valley now], it’s like, you know, oh, throw in this, throw in that. Let’s add green rain — like, these random, whimsical ideas."
Despite this, Barone remains open to the idea of a sequel, stating, "I might eventually make a Stardew Valley 2, to be honest." However, his current focus is on another project, Haunted Chocolatier, as he expressed a desire not to be solely known as the "Stardew Valley guy." He cautioned fans not to expect a release date for Haunted Chocolatier anytime soon, noting that there is "still a lot to be done" and that it "has got to be better" than Stardew Valley.
Stardew Valley has received widespread acclaim since its debut. In our initial review back in 2016, we awarded it an impressive 8.8, labeling it "Great." Fast forward to 2024, and our reevaluation led us to crown it a 10/10 "masterpiece." We stated, "Stardew Valley is not only the best farming game I’ve played, it is one of my favorite games of all time. That myself and others keep returning to this eight-year old gem each time it gets even the smallest update speaks to how it’s truly a masterpiece in the genre it both reinvigorated and has come to define."
For newcomers, our Stardew Valley Beginner's Guide has been updated to reflect the latest 1.6 update of 2024, which includes new crops, fish, and more, such as the Raccoon Family Quests that unlock a new shop and valuable rewards. Veteran players looking to maximize their experience can refer to our Mastery Points guide for further progression, and those exploring Ginger Island can use our guide to locate all Golden Walnuts.
