Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone, the mastermind behind Stardew Valley, has hinted at the possibility of creating a sequel, aptly named "Stardew Valley 2." While this news excites fans, Barone emphasized in an interview with TigerBelly that it's "so much easier to just add more stuff to Stardew Valley than to make a whole new game from scratch." He explained that with the original game, "all the major systems" are already in place, making it less tedious to update and expand. "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," Barone shared. Despite the ease of updating the current game, he admitted, "I might eventually make a Stardew Valley 2, to be honest" (thanks, Nintendo Life).
In the same interview, Barone expressed a desire not to be pigeonholed as "the Stardew Valley guy," which is why he's currently developing his next project, Haunted Chocolatier. However, fans should temper their expectations for a release date, as Barone noted there's "still a lot to be done," and he feels it "has to be better" than Stardew Valley.
Our initial Stardew Valley review in 2016 awarded it an impressive 8.8 "Great." Fast forward to 2024, and our reassessment elevated it to a perfect 10/10 "masterpiece." We wrote, "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 new players, our Stardew Valley Beginner's Guide is fully updated for the 2024 1.6 update, featuring new crops, fish, and more, including the engaging Raccoon Family Quests that unlock a new shop and valuable rewards. Seasoned farmers with maxed-out skills can turn to our Mastery Points guide for further progression, and for those venturing to Ginger Island, our guide on finding all Golden Walnuts will be invaluable.
