Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone, the mastermind behind Stardew Valley, has hinted at the possibility of developing a sequel, tentatively referred to as "Stardew Valley 2." During an insightful conversation on the TigerBelly podcast, Barone expressed that while the idea of creating a whole new game from scratch is daunting, he remains open to the concept. He highlighted the ease of expanding the existing game, stating, "It's so much easier to just add more stuff to Stardew Valley than to make a whole new game from scratch."
Barone elaborated on the appeal of working on updates for Stardew Valley, saying, "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 the challenges, he admitted, "I might eventually make a Stardew Valley 2, to be honest," as reported by Nintendo Life.
In the same interview, Barone shared his desire to diversify his portfolio beyond Stardew Valley. He is currently working on a new game titled Haunted Chocolatier, emphasizing his reluctance to be solely known as "the Stardew Valley guy." However, fans should temper their expectations regarding a release date for Haunted Chocolatier, as Barone noted there is "still a lot to be done" and the game "has got to be better" than Stardew Valley.
IGN's review of Stardew Valley in 2016 awarded it an impressive 8.8 "Great" score. Fast forward to 2024, and the game's reputation soared even higher, earning a perfect 10/10 "masterpiece" rating. The review praised it as "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 and returning players, our Stardew Valley Beginner's Guide has been updated to reflect the latest 1.6 update of 2024. This update introduced new crops, fish, and the engaging Raccoon Family Quests, which unlock a new shop and valuable rewards. For those who have mastered the game's skills, our Mastery Points guide offers advice on further progression. Additionally, adventurers heading to Ginger Island can benefit from our guide on locating all Golden Walnuts.
