Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone, the mastermind behind Stardew Valley, has hinted at the possibility of creating a "Stardew Valley 2" in the future. In an engaging conversation with TigerBelly, Barone shared his thoughts on the challenges of starting anew versus enhancing the existing game. He explained, "It's so much easier to just add more stuff to Stardew Valley than to make a whole new game from scratch." This sentiment is driven by the fact that the foundational systems of Stardew Valley are already in place, making it simpler to introduce new features like "green rain" and other whimsical elements.
Despite this, Barone remains open to the idea of a sequel, stating, "I might eventually make a Stardew Valley 2, to be honest." However, fans should temper their excitement as he is currently focused on another project, Haunted Chocolatier. Barone expressed his desire to not be solely defined by Stardew Valley, which is why he's dedicating his efforts to this new game. He cautioned that Haunted Chocolatier is still far from completion and needs to surpass the quality of Stardew Valley.
Stardew Valley has received high praise since its inception. In our initial Stardew Valley review back in 2016, we awarded it an impressive 8.8 "Great." Fast forward to 2024, and our reevaluation led us to crown it a 10/10 "masterpiece," with our review stating, "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 looking to dive into or revisit the game, our Stardew Valley Beginner's Guide has been thoroughly updated to cover the latest 1.6 update from 2024, which includes new crops, fish, and the exciting Raccoon Family Quests that unlock a new shop and valuable rewards. Seasoned players aiming to maximize their skills can benefit from our Mastery Points guide, while adventurers heading to Ginger Island can find all the Golden Walnuts with our detailed walkthrough.
