Stardew Valley 2 Considered, but Easier to Expand Original Game

Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone, the creator of Stardew Valley, has hinted at the possibility of developing a sequel, "Stardew Valley 2." However, during his interview with TigerBelly, he emphasized the challenges of starting a new game from scratch compared to expanding the existing game. Barone explained, "It's so much easier to just add more stuff to Stardew Valley than to make a whole new game from scratch." He highlighted that the core systems of Stardew Valley are already established, making updates more about adding whimsical elements like "green rain" rather than building new systems from the ground up.

Despite his interest in a sequel, Barone remains focused on his current project, Haunted Chocolatier. He expressed a desire not to be solely known as "the Stardew Valley guy," which is driving his work on this new game. However, fans shouldn't hold their breath for a release date anytime soon, as Barone noted there's "still a lot to be done" and he wants Haunted Chocolatier to surpass the quality of Stardew Valley.

Stardew Valley has received high praise since its launch. In our initial Stardew Valley review in 2016, we awarded it an 8.8 "Great" score. Fast forward to 2024, and our reassessment of the game led us to declare 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 those diving into or returning to the game, our Stardew Valley Beginner's Guide has been updated to reflect the 2024 1.6 update, which introduced new crops, fish, and the Raccoon Family Quests that unlock a new shop and valuable rewards. For seasoned players looking to further their progress, our Mastery Points guide offers advice on the next steps. And for those exploring Ginger Island, we've detailed where to find all Golden Walnuts.