When he released a spiritual successor to the Story of Seasons series, little did Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone know the impact his indie game would have on gaming. Selling over 30 million units, Stardew Valley has united both seasoned and rookie gamers.
With ConcernedApe leaving the door open for potential future updates, this farming sim feels like an endless treasure trove. And it continues to draw in new fans, in defiance of the many Stardew Valley-like copycats that have come out recently. So, here are some tips to help you get going when starting in the valley.
Chop all the wood you can get
When you arrive on your late grandfather’s farmstead, you’ll realise that time hasn’t been kind to the place. Funnily enough, local bachelorette Abigail will tell you upon your first meeting how she used to love roaming around these overgrown fields. One of the first tasks on your list will be to clear out your farm. After watering your crops, though, you’ll notice a significant drop in energy. With the remaining stamina, focus on chopping down trees to build a stockpile of wood, which will come in handy to craft items and buildings.
You can replant trees using acorns, mahogany seeds, maple seeds, and pine cones in tillable soil on or off your farm. You may also store these seeds in chests for recipes like field snacks, best used when running low on energy or exploring the mines. Unless you’re in urgent need of cash, avoid selling wood in the shipping box. It is more valuable to save up 300 pieces of wood to repair the bridge at the beach, unlocking access to high-value items like coral and sea urchins. Wood can also be turned into coal to melt copper, iron, and gold ores into bars.
Go all in with crops in the early game
On your first day as a blossoming farmer, you’ll receive a starter pack with 15 turnip seeds – that is, unless you choose the meadowlands farm type introduced in a recent update, which starts with 15 pieces of hay and two chickens. Exclusive to PC so far, the 1.6 update is coming on console and mobile on November 4. Begin planting straight away by clearing 15 soil patches and watering each one with your watering can. You may eventually upgrade this starter tool by hitting the blacksmith with the required resources.
You need to water your plants every day so they can grow in full. Turnips take only four days to mature, and selling all 15 will earn you 525g. Even if funds are low, you had better invest in more seeds than spend all your money on accessories. While cauliflower seeds are pricey at 175g each, they offer a great return. Alternatively, potatoes from Pierre’s routinely yield bonus crops at harvest. As you steadily build your earnings, you’ll be well-prepared for summer, when high-profit crops like melons and blueberries can boost your farm’s income.
Get ready for secrets at every turn
The longer you spend in the valley, the more likely you’ll discover a game-changing shortcut or an NPC granting you mysterious powers. Digging around for artifacts or secret notes can go a long way – and so does checking garbage cans, provided nobody’s around to catch you in the act. Every part of the map holds hidden secrets, so don’t hesitate to go exploring once you’re done with farmwork. In Cindersap Forest, you might come across strange creatures sending you on cryptic quests.
As soon as you’ve repaired the bus, you can also head to the desert to buy exotic crops to spruce up your cooking game. Ran by Sandy, the Oasis store has other mysteries to boast, including a secret casino with slot machines. Players who’ve enjoyed the experience can find many more free slots online. Farming-themed titles like Cheerful Farmer and Cute Farm have a similar vibe to Stardew Valley. Newcomers can use free spins to try these games and more without risk. Working as smoothly on a computer as on a mobile device, such options require no download or registration.
Stardew Valley has arguably set the golden standard for all farming simulations, and you’re bound to spend countless hours exploring its wealth of content. As a beginner, a few tips and tricks can help make your journey through the game smoother. As you get familiar with the game’s mechanics, you may even download mods to shake things up.
