One of my favorite ways to unwind after a long day or entertain myself is to play a video game. Specifically, I love to play Stardew Valley. Stardew Valley is an indie farming simulator with the premise of: “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!” It is escapism at its finest. There is much to do within the game, from farming, fishing, mining, or befriending the residents; the options are endless. Because of the infinite possibilities within Stardew Valley, it is one of my favorite video games. Here are some reasons why I think Stardew Valley is an incredible game.
- The gameplay is so relaxing:
You may think that a game about owning and operating a farm would be boring and mundane, but it is the exact opposite. It is so relaxing to water and harvest your crops, care for your farm animals, or do any task in general. Stardew Valley makes chores fun! The music creates ambient background noise while you play, and the sound effects are akin to ASMR in terms of how satisfying they are.
- The graphics are aesthetically pleasing:
The graphics within Stardew Valley are in a pixelated style that is so detailed. The colors are vibrant no matter what season you’re in, and the characters and animals are adorably animated. The art style keeps you captivated and adds to the cozy aesthetic of the game.
- It’s queer!
That’s right, Stardew Valley is queer! There are twelve marriage candidates in the game, six are male, and six are female (My personal favorites are Leah, Sebastian, and Emily). You can choose to romance any of these twelve characters, no matter the gender of your farmer. Each marriage candidate has a storyline you unlock as you gain their friendship by giving them gifts. Eventually, you can ask them to be your girlfriend or boyfriend using a bouquet and then propose to them using the Mermaid’s Pendant. I love Stardew Valley because it is unapologetically queer and allows players of all sexualities to feel included.
- The storylines are captivating:
Each character within Stardew Valley has its unique backstory, and the plot only gets more interesting as you progress through the game. You learn more about the town’s secrets and even magic! Countless interconnected details have spawned numerous fan theories and speculations. Trying to piece everything together is part of the fun!
- You can do anything!
Not only is there so much to do within the game, but the option to add mods can also further enhance your gameplay. Mods allow you to make cosmetic changes, such as altering appearances or the town itself. They can also add even more content to the game. Two popular mods are Stardew Valley Expanded and Ridgeside. Both mods build upon the original Stardew Valley and introduce new characters, storylines, and opportunities to your gameplay. You will never run out of things to do while playing Stardew Valley, which is the ultimate reason why I love it so much.