What Stardew Valley Players Should Do in the Winter

It is no secret that Stardew Valley remains a popular game despite being released way back in 2016, thanks to its never-ending gameplay that offers players plenty of things to do. However, veteran Stardew Valley players would know all too well that winter can be brutal, especially with the limitations this particular season brings to the player's farm. It is important to remember that during winter, players won't be able to farm as they usually do, given that most seeds available from Pierre's General Store or at Joja Mart will not grow during this season.

The only way players can get around the inability to plant crops during winter is to restore the greenhouse on the farm, which may be challenging during the first year, given the requirements or money players need to have to get the greenhouse in working order. Luckily for new players who are stumped about what to do in Stardew Valley during winter, the game offers a variety of other activities players can busy themselves with while waiting out the harsh weather.

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Forage, Fish, and Mine

Like at the start of the game, when players still do not have a consistent roster of crops to tend to, there are several other ways to earn money in Stardew Valley, such as foraging, fishing, and mining. It is worth pointing out that as the season changes in the game, so does the variety of forageable items players can find throughout Pelican Town and its surrounding areas. While the prices of forageable items vary depending on quality, players need not spend much time finding them, as they can go about their business and pick up any forages as they see them.

Another excellent way players can earn money and get busy during winter in Stardew Valley is to engage in the tranquil art of fishing. Of course, veteran players of the game would know that the fishing mechanic is all but tranquil, given that it demands precise timing and a lot of patience. However, given that it is tempting to put off fishing during the game's spring, summer, and fall seasons, winter is the best time for players to practice their fishing skills and earn a pretty penny. Like forageables, the game prices of fish and other sea creatures will vary depending on the quality and the player's fishing skills.

Since the mine is underground, it is pretty much unaffected by winter, and everything players can obtain during other seasons will also be available during winter. However, given that farming is out of the question during winter, players will have plenty of time on their hands, which they can allocate to spending time in the mines. For the uninitiated, Stardew Valley's mines contain a plethora of ores and other resources that players can either sell for money or use to make machines and craft tools. Stardew Valley also offers story quests set in the mines that task players to reach certain levels for some rewards.

Tend to Animals and Improve Relationships with Villagers

Raising livestock is another feature in Stardew Valley that not many players prioritize during their first year due to the costs it incurs. With plenty of time for players during winter, tending to one's animals is an excellent way to spend time and earn money. It is worth noting that the Barn and Coop buildings must be purchased from Robin, costing players 6,000g and 4,000g, respectively, for the basic versions. Once these buildings are set up, players can buy cows, goats, sheep, pigs, and ostriches for the barn and chickens, ducks, rabbits, and even dinosaurs for the coop. These animals will yield produce that players can sell or use in recipes or gifts to villagers.

Lastly, the heavy workload farming entails in Stardew Valley can easily result in players neglecting their friendships with villagers, making winter the best season to socialize. In Stardew Valley, friendships with villagers are measured in hearts, which can decay when the player doesn't interact with them. There are also nine villagers celebrating their birthdays in winter, and giving them gifts on their special day would increase the player's relationship with them.

Winter Birthdays

• Krobus - 1 Winter
• Linus - 3 Winter
• Caroline - 7 Winter
• Sebastian - 10 Winter
• Harvey - 14 Winter
• Wizard - 17 Winter
• Evelyn - 20 Winter
• Leah - 23 Winter
• Klint - 26 Winter

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Stardew Valley

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RPG

Simulation

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Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 99%

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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

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DIGITAL

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Platform(s)

PC, Xbox One, Android, iOS, PS4, Switch

How Long To Beat

53 Hours

Genre(s)

RPG, Simulation

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