Stardew Valleyis one of those games that will always be fresh, no matter how many times you come back to it. Part of this is due to the truckload of overwhelmingly positive updates that Concerned Ape continues to layer into the overall experience.
Stardew Valley: Every Festival Ranked
Stardew’s festivals vary in quality, so let’s rank them all.
It’s something that’s constantly evolving and yet, in essence, it’s still the same cozy, warm adventure. To anyone who may have completed the game a while ago and thinks that there’s nothing left to do, think again!
This list will go over a few ways you can revitalise your farming experience, and make Stardew Valley all bright and shining new again on a second playthrough.
10Try A Different Farm Layout
Specialise In A Skill Of Your Choice
While this first one may seem pretty obvious, it’s crazy just how much changing your starting farm can alter the overall experience.
If you’ve just usedthe original farm type, try pushing the boat out a little and try something like the ocean farm for a bit of extra challenge. Your farm is now covered in sand, so you won’t be able to use those sprinklers you love anymore.
In addition, you only have a tiny patch of soil to work with. What creative ways can you use to make some money while you wait to upgrade your tools? Best whip out that trusty old rod and get some fish on the line! Now, instead of farming the land, you can be master of the waves and rely on fish to bring in the big bucks!
9Quick Community Centre
No Time To Lose!
We probably all have rather fond memories of completing the community centre after a grueling couple of years in our first ever playthrough of Stardew Valley and getting rid of Joja for good.
But, like many things, it can be done quicker. Way quicker!
In fact, there’s an option when making your farm that allows you to remix your seed so that the bundles can be completed within the first year. If you’re up for the challenge, of course.
You really need to be on top of everything to make this work. Yes, that means knowing the fishing tables, available crops and, of course, being ready for the traveling cart twice a week. Making every single day full of activity really reinvigorates the fun, though!
Not for the faint-hearted.
8Complete The Joja Path
Mindless Corporate Drone
Of course, while you could do the community centre like normal, you can also sell your soul and try out the dark side, if you have the stomach for it.
Does it go against everything the game is trying to tell you? Yes. Does it feel like you’re personally upsetting ConcernedApe himself? Yes. Is there an achievement for it? Also, yes. Then, of course, it must be done. The world would fall if there were an achievement telling me to do it. I don’t have a problem, I swear.
Just once you’ve helped Joja, promise me you’ll delete your save and do it properly next time?
7Play With Your Friends
Friend Or Foe, You Decide
Stardew Valley is a brilliant game while you’re alone, but so much potential is unleashedwhen you add a few friendsto the mix.
Now, instead of taking the world upon your shoulders, you’re able to delegate tasks and complete multiple things at the same time. Or you can compete against each other to make better farms, or simply specialise in the skills you want, while leaving others to do the fishing.
Multiplayer really offers a new dimension to the formula. Just make sure you can find someone who is committed to the grind!
6Set a Challenge
No Farming? What Do You Mean No Farming?
Every tried a challenge run before? No? Well, now is the next best time. While some may get bored with the usual playthrough, giving yourself extra challenges can seriously spice up the recipe.
For example, try and do a playthrough without planting any crops. Sounds tricky, right? Well, you will learn to rely on your animals, catch valuable fish, or perhaps be lazy like me and create a giant shed full of diamond-producing Crystalariums. That works too!
10 Stardew Valley Challenge Runs For Seasoned Players
Stardew Valley has an endless number of challenging runs you’re able to gun for, and these are some of the best.
And this is just one kind of challenge; there’s so much you can do, simply by limiting yourself in one way or another. Truly, Stardew Valley is endless.
5Rush for Perfection
A Lofty Goal
Oh perfection, what a mountain to climb!Many people don’t ever achieve perfectionon their Stardew Valley saves, and who can blame them? It’s certainly a tall order.
Despite this, when you put your mind to it, and draw yourself up a list, it can really incentivise you to get through the game again. While you may have been relaxing and living the farm dream before, now you’ll need to be a task-completing machine, earning millions, cooking recipes, and making friends. Only once you’ve checked in withMr. Qiand achieved that full perfection ranking, you can eventually put down your ax and enjoy the view.
Until then? Well, you have more Stardrops to find.
4Focus On Aesthetics
The Vibe Is Everything
Tired of watering crops every day, endless trips to the mines, and giving gifts to the townsfolk? Well, instead, try an aesthetically themed playthrough.
Instead of profits and progress, focus on trying to make your farm look as visually stunning as possible. For example, maybe you want to play a witchy character and make your farm Halloween-themed, with a graveyard, and spooky green ponds in a derelict forest. Or maybe you want to turn your ocean bay into a Hawaiian Paradise with totem poles and fern leaves galore.
Stardew Valley: 10 Best Farm Layout Ideas
Need new ideas for your next Stardew Valley playthrough? These gorgeous layouts will inspire your next farm.
And why stop at the farm? Go decorate the bus stop, the quarry, or even build a desert haven near the casino. The world is yours. Go splash it with a bit of colour!
3Hardcore Style
Get That Blood Pumping
There’s little risk to contend with when you’re playing Stardew Valley as normal. Realistically, the most you’ll have to deal with is losing a bit of cash or some items when you black out or faint in Skull Cavern.
How about we up the stakes a little? In this mode, if you pass out after 2 am, or lose all your health in the mines… well, folks, that’s a wrap! Death, and farm deletion. Now that’s something to be scared about.
Once you have some real stakes, you’ll be on your toes for sure. And your eyes are going to be razor-focused on that clock, I can tell you that for sure. But as with many games, adding a hardcore mode gives people endless reasons to keep playing. Why not add Stardew Valley to the list and get ready to feel the pressure?
2Be a Socialite or a Hermit
You Never Needed Them Anyway…
How about a new playthrough, but based all around the people, not the farm? Make your focus the centre of the village, and become a real member of the community. Max out those friendships, and complete every task that you can!
Or does that sound a little boring? Maybe you’ve already done that for perfection? Well, how about a truly brutal task? Instead, leave them all behind. Become a hermit and don’t leave your farm for any reason.
Now you have to make a living strictly based on what you can find on the farm. Can you make it work with the extremely limited amount of resources that you have? It’s going to be a challenge for sure. This format takes Stardew Valley to its extreme!
1Try Some New Mods
Endless Customisation
And of course, where would we be without a couple of mods to spice up the farm? In reality, some of the fantastic modders have added so much to Stardew Valley, that it’s almost a different game.
If you don’t believe me, take a look at something like StardewValleyExpanded. This mod adds new farms, new characters, new fish, and crops, and everything you can possibly imagine! There are new stories and quests and hundreds of secrets to discover. It’s truly like rediscovering the magic of Stardew Valley for the first time all over again!
So if you’re really looking for a reason to play through this fantastic game again, take a quick look at some mods, and dive in. The hours will fly by without you noticing.
Stardew Valley: 10 Reasons To Install SDV Expanded
Got the itch for yet another Stardew Valley playthrough? Make sure you install this mod.
