Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone, the mastermind behind the beloved Stardew Valley, has hinted at the possibility of developing a sequel, aptly named "Stardew Valley 2." However, fans should temper their excitement as Barone emphasized in his TigerBelly interview that it's far simpler to enhance the existing game with new content than to start anew. He explained, "It's all the systems — all the major systems — are already all done. That’s the stuff that’s not fun to do. When I make an update [for Stardew Valley now], it’s like, you know, oh, throw in this, throw in that. Let’s add green rain — like, these random, whimsical ideas." Despite this, Barone did leave the door open, admitting, "I might eventually make a Stardew Valley 2, to be honest."
In the same interview, Barone expressed his desire to not be solely known as "the Stardew Valley guy," which is why he is currently pouring his efforts into his next project, Haunted Chocolatier. He cautioned fans not to hold their breath for a release date, as there is "still a lot to be done," and he feels the new game "has to be better" than Stardew Valley.
When we first reviewed Stardew Valley in 2016, we were captivated, awarding it an impressive 8.8 "Great." Fast forward to our 2024 revisit, and we were blown away, upgrading its score to a perfect 10/10 "masterpiece." Our review praised it as "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 diving into the game, our Stardew Valley Beginner's Guide is fully updated to reflect the 2024 1.6 update, which introduced new crops, fish, and exciting additions like the Raccoon Family Quests that unlock a new shop and valuable rewards. For seasoned players looking to push their skills further, our Mastery Points guide offers advice on the next steps. And if you're exploring Ginger Island, don't miss our guide on finding all Golden Walnuts.
