Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone, the creative mind behind the beloved Stardew Valley, has hinted at the possibility of developing a sequel, tentatively named "Stardew Valley 2." However, during his conversation on the TigerBelly podcast, Barone tempered expectations by explaining the complexities involved in starting a new game from scratch. He emphasized that it's significantly easier to enhance the existing Stardew Valley with new content rather than building an entirely new game. "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," Barone stated, illustrating the creative freedom he enjoys with updates.
While Barone expressed openness to the idea of "Stardew Valley 2," he is currently focused on his new project, Haunted Chocolatier. He shared his desire not to be solely known as "the Stardew Valley guy," which fuels his passion for this new endeavor. However, fans should not hold their breath for a release date anytime soon, as Barone feels there is "still a lot to be done" to ensure Haunted Chocolatier surpasses the standards set by Stardew Valley.
Stardew Valley has continued to captivate players since its launch. Our initial Stardew Valley review in 2016 awarded it an impressive 8.8 "Great" score. Fast forward to 2024, and our reassessment elevated it to a perfect 10/10 "masterpiece." We stated, "Stardew Valley is 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 or revisiting Stardew Valley, our comprehensive Stardew Valley Beginner's Guide has been updated to reflect the latest 1.6 update from 2024, which introduced new crops, fish, and engaging Raccoon Family Quests that unlock a new shop and valuable rewards. Seasoned players aiming to further their progress can benefit from our Mastery Points guide, and adventurers exploring Ginger Island can use our resources to locate all the Golden Walnuts.
