One of the best elements of Stardew Valley is that, despite being easy to pick up and accessible to a wide variety of gamers, it's surprisingly robust, with a lot of room for deeper engagement. In other words, Stardew Valley is a casual game, but it's also one with a lot of depth beneath its surface, giving players room to strategize and experiment with different techniques and playstyles.
With so many different gameplay pillars, including farming, mining, and foraging, it's easy to feel overwhelmed when first getting to grips with Stardew Valley. Perhaps it is for this reason that first-time players tend to make a lot of simple mistakes that cost them time and in-game resources without even realizing it. It's thus appropriate to steer clear of these "cardinal sins" if one is looking for the best overall experience, because while much of the joy of Stardew Valley comes down to figuring things out independently, there are at least a handful of not-so-obvious mistakes worth being aware of, whether someone is a first-time player or simply wondering what's stopping them from reaching their full in-game potential.
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Biggest Mistakes To Avoid in Stardew Valley
Don't Neglect the Farm
There are so many activities that one can engage in in Stardew Valley, and while it's valuable to develop a wide repertoire of skills and diversify income streams, the player-owned farm will almost always be the most reliable, low-effort source of money. Gathering as many different seeds as possible, investing in upgrades like sprinklers to save time on essential maintenance, expanding plots, and even using fertilizer for better yields is essential for just about any Stardew Valley strategy. While foraging and mining can sometimes allow for significant profits, the time-consuming and unpredictable nature of these activities make them inferior as the primary income stream, so the farm should always be strong.
Invest in Livestock as Early as Possible
Speaking of the farm, it's not just good for crops. Livestock like pigs, chicken, and cows can be invaluable elements of any Stardew player's portfolio. Although they require a significant down payment—players need to not only buy the livestock itself, but also build barns and coops to house them—they pay for themselves in no time at all.
The main reason why livestock should be a player's first major Stardew Valley purchase is because they can serve as a consistent source of income in the winter, when growing crops is impossible. If one hasn't invested in livestock by the time their first winter rolls around, then their only source of profit during this period will be from mining and foraging which, as previously mentioned, are far less reliable than farming.
Donate Treasures to the Museum—Don't Sell Them
This list has had an anti-mining slant thus far, but make no mistake: mining should be a key part of any Stardew Valley playthrough. Not only is it one of the game's most enjoyable activities, opening an entirely new dimension of hack-and-slash combat, but it can also yield various valuable treasures, like historical artifacts and gemstones, which can be sold for a great sum. But a better investment would be to donate these items to the Pelican Town museum, as this can earn the player special items and upgrades that are often more valuable than the lump sum they would earn by selling such valuables.
Don't Try To Maximize Productivity Every Day
This might be a slightly controversial tip, but attempting to squeeze every drop out of each Stardew Valley day, engaging in every possible activity until the player-character runs out of energy, is not the ideal way to play. Stardew Valley doesn't have a true end point, so there's no need to treat each in-game day as though it's a valuable resource in and of itself. Players can progress much more quickly if they knock out a few essential tasks each day, end the day to rake in profits, and then invest those profits back into the farm as soon as possible.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
- Released
- February 26, 2016
- ESRB
- E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco)
- Developer(s)
- ConcernedApe
- Publisher(s)
- ConcernedApe
- Engine
- Proprietary
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- Stardew Valley does not currently support crossplay between different consoles and PC
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!
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Simulation
