In 2025,Stardew Valleyis just one year off from becoming a decade old, but players are still drawn back to it time and again. As a game with so much to offer, it’s not surprising that players are still attached toStardew Valleynine years after its initial release, especially when more reasons to keep playing seem to arrive often.
There was a time when it was easy to pass overStardew Valleywith its humble roots as the first game by solo indie developer ConcernedApe, but the game quickly grew to define a genre. Farming and life sim games predateStardew Valleyby a longshot, but ConcernedApe’s love of games likeHarvest Moonwould influence him to improve on the formula. The result has been an undeniable hit that has become a mainstay on PC, console, and mobile. The game has become so popular thatStardew Valleyrecently reached 41 million lifetime sales. It comes as no surprise thatStardew Valleyis still worth playing in 2025, largely because of continued updates and the long wait for its successor,Haunted Chocolatier.
Stardew Valley Update 1.6 Changed the Game
A game as successful asStardew Valleynaturally amasses plenty of die-hard fans, but for more casual players, 2025 would be the perfect time to dive back into a game they may have neglected. 2024s release ofStardew Valleyupdate 1.6 changed the game forever, bringing the largest number of additions to the game yet. ConcernedApe has said that he feels obligated to the game’s fans to give them the best experience possible, and that he loves his creation so much, he could bring new ideas to the game forever. With new mini-festivals, NPC interactions, and more, the evidence speaks for itself that he’s no liar. For players who haven’t visited in a while, Pelican Town may seem like an entirely new location.
“I think I could keep working onStardew Valleyfor the rest of my life, but I do want to make new games as well. Still trying to figure out that balance!” - ConcernedApe via Twitter
Stardew Valley Brings New Experiences to Old Players
One reason that fans have come to loveStardew Valleyso much is its high replay value. While the goal of the game and its events remain the same each time around, there are many choices that can only be made once, which brings fans back to try them all out at least once. By far the most talked about choice iswhich NPC the player should romance, but there are other one-time choices worth exploring as well.
When beginning the game, the player is allowed to choose which type of farm they want to start out with. A common choice is to begin with the Standard Farm, but it’s always worth starting a new campaign to see how the layout of a Riverland, Hilltop, or Beach Farm might change the way players interact with their surroundings. One major addition the 1.6 update brought was theintroduction of the Meadowlands Farm toStardew Valley, which is more conducive to raising livestock than most other farm types.
For players who love animals, the Meadowlands Farm isn’t the only change to look out for. Pets have been a beloved, if underdeveloped, feature inStardew Valleyfor some time, but the latest update added new features to the game’s animal companions. Not only can players now adopt additional pets, but turtles have been added for the first time alongside cats and dogs. Players who reach the max friendship level with their pets may even be rewarded, aspets now bring gifts to playerswho take the time to befriend them properly. These are only a few of the many overhauls that the latest update has brought, and it sounds like more may still be on the way.
Haunted Chocolatier’s Status Might Gain Stardew Valley More Players
ManyStardew Valleyfans have been excited about ConcernedApe’s announcement that he’s working on a followup game,Haunted Chocolatier. The new game promised to be similar in style, yet different in a few major ways, bringing new experiences to a familiar concept. The supernatural and business focus are elements thatStardew Valleyhasn’t fully explored, and seeing ConcernedApe’s take on them will be a delight for his fans. He also stated thatHaunted Chocolatierwill have a more in depth combat system thanStardew Valley, perhaps appealing to a different type of player than typical life sim fans. Unfortunately, it’s also been confirmed thatConcernedApe will be taking a break fromHaunted Chocolatierto continue work onStardew Valley.
ConcernedApe’s dedication toStardew Valleyis commendable, but it does seem to keep delaying his work on the next title. The result ofHaunted Chocolatier’s lengthy development time could be good news forStardew Valley, though. BecauseHaunted Chocolatierappeals to an expanded audience, it may bring players to ConcernedApe’s first game that might not have been interested in it the first time around. Especially sincean early access period isn’t likely forHaunted Chocolatier, players looking for this particular type of experience are likely to continue flocking toStardew Valleyinto the new year.
Because ofHaunted Chocolatier’s further delay, and the frequent updates toStardew Valleythat seem to be continuing, 2025 will still be a good year forStardew Valley. It is unfortunate that this success comes at the expense ofHaunted Chocolatier’s 2025 plans, but fans of farming sims, life sims, and ConcernedApe fans in general still have reasons to return toStardew Valleyfor years to come.
Stardew Valley
WHERE TO PLAY
You’ve inherited your grandfather’s old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home? It won’t be easy. Ever since Joja Corporation came to town, the old ways of life have all but disappeared. The community center, once the town’s most vibrant hub of activity, now lies in shambles. But the valley seems full of opportunity. With a little dedication, you might just be the one to restore Stardew Valley to greatness!
