Stardew Valley

File:Stardew valley screenshot.png

Stardew Valley is a farm life simulation game set in top-down perspective while being open-ended.{{Cite web |last=Hancock |first=Patrick |date=2016-03-07 |title=Review: Stardew Valley |url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-stardew-valley/#post |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250419090123/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-stardew-valley/#post |archive-date=2025-04-19 |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=Destructoid |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Bergin |first=Lauren |date=2024-02-02 |title=Diablo and Stardew Valley collide in creepy new Steam indie, demo coming soon |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/kingsgrave/diablo-stardew-valley-steam-indie |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250419090747/https://www.pcgamesn.com/kingsgrave/diablo-stardew-valley-steam-indie |archive-date=2025-04-19 |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Farthing |first=Tom |date=2022-04-06 |title=Why you should play... Stardew Valley |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/why-you-should-play-stardew-valley/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250419104410/https://www.gamesradar.com/why-you-should-play-stardew-valley/ |archive-date=2025-04-19 |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en}} The game is primarily inspired by Story of Seasons, a series by Marvelous and previously known as Harvest Moon.{{cite news |last1=Grayson |first1=Nathan |date=2016-02-29 |title=2016-02-29 |url=https://kotaku.com/steams-latest-hit-is-a-game-about-farming-and-relations-1762038774 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250419091114/https://kotaku.com/steams-latest-hit-is-a-game-about-farming-and-relations-1762038774 |archive-date=2025-04-19 |access-date=2025-04-19 |work=Kotaku |language=en-us}} The game starts with the player character leaving their corporate job to manage a farm just outside of Pelican Town, a town in the eponymous Stardew Valley.{{Cite web |last=Sanchez |first=Miranda |date=2018-08-07 |title=Stardew Valley Review 2018 |url=https://sea.ign.com/stardew-valley/139713/review/stardew-valley-review-2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250419151840/https://sea.ign.com/stardew-valley/139713/review/stardew-valley-review-2018 |archive-date=2025-04-19 |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=IGN Southeast Asia |language=en-sg}}

The main objective is to restore the farm of the player's deceased grandfather and assist in the town’s revival by completing bundles of goods to help restore the Community Center. As the game progresses through its four 28-day seasons, the completion of bundles will unlock new areas and activities, such as exploring a new island.{{Cite web |last=Cotten |first=Shailyn |date=2024-05-07 |title=Stardew Valley Review - 2024 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/stardew-valley-review-2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250419091306/https://www.ign.com/articles/stardew-valley-review-2024 |archive-date=2025-04-19 |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=IGN |language=en}} Players may select from several different farm types, each with a unique theme and different benefits and drawbacks.{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=2016-09-29 |title=Stardew Valley is changing the way you start your farm |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/stardew-valley-is-changing-the-way-you-start-your-farm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250419091456/https://www.eurogamer.net/stardew-valley-is-changing-the-way-you-start-your-farm |archive-date=2025-04-19 |access-date=2025-04-19 |work=Eurogamer}} On the farm, players need to cut down trees, break rocks, and use a scythe to clear weeds to make space for tilling and planting.{{Cite news |last=Parkin |first=Simon |date=2017-10-10 |title=Stardew Valley review |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/stardew-valley-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250419091726/https://www.eurogamer.net/stardew-valley-review |archive-date=2025-04-19 |access-date=2025-04-19 |work=Eurogamer |language=en}} The farming system allows players to plant seasonal seeds that need daily watering and must usually be harvested before the next season. Players can also build barns and coops to raise animals for products like eggs and milk.{{Cite web |last=Masem |first=Matt |date=2018-10-01 |title=Stardew Valley Review |url=https://rpgamer.com/review/stardew-valley-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250422193518/https://rpgamer.com/review/stardew-valley-review/ |archive-date=2025-04-22 |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=RPGamer |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Bell |first=Alice |date=2020-05-27 |title=I am going to become a battery chicken farmer in Stardew Valley |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/i-am-going-to-become-a-battery-chicken-farmer-in-stardew-valley |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250527190953/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/i-am-going-to-become-a-battery-chicken-farmer-in-stardew-valley |archive-date=2025-05-27 |access-date=2025-05-29 |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |language=en}}

The player assumes various roles, developing skills in farming, foraging, fishing, mining, and combat.{{Cite news |last=Nielsen |first=Holly |date=2016-07-20 |title=What's It Like To Start Anew In Stardew Valley? |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stardew-valley-diary |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250422191922/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/stardew-valley-diary |archive-date=2025-04-22 |access-date=2025-04-22 |work=Rock Paper Shotgun |language=en}} Interacting with townspeople and giving them gifts builds relationships over time. Players are further able to marry one of 12 bachelors or bachelorettes (regardless of gender), which allows the spouse to help with daily chores on the farm, such as cooking, feeding animals, or watering crops.{{Cite web |last=Lada |first=Jenni |date=2016-03-22 |title=Stardew Valley Update Gives Spouses More Freedom |url=https://www.siliconera.com/stardew-valley-update-gives-spouses-freedom/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250419091834/https://www.siliconera.com/stardew-valley-update-gives-spouses-freedom/ |archive-date=2025-04-19 |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=Siliconera |language=en-US}} After marriage, the character and its spouse will have the option to conceive a child.{{Cite web |last=Leack |first=Jonathan |date=2016-03-01 |title=Stardew Valley Review |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/70037-stardew-valley-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914205212/https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/70037-stardew-valley-review |archive-date=2024-09-14 |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=GameRevolution |language=en-US}} Time in the game is divided into day-length segments. Each morning the player begins with a full energy bar which decreases as tasks are completed and can be replenished by eating food.{{Cite web |last=Hartup |first=Phil |date=2016-03-18 |title=The happy place: why Stardew Valley is so much more than a parsnip empire |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2016/03/happy-place-why-stardew-valley-so-much-more-parsnip-empire |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007110728/https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2016/03/happy-place-why-stardew-valley-so-much-more-parsnip-empire |archive-date=2024-10-07 |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=New Statesman |language=en-US}} A nearby cave system holds ores that can be mined and smelted (using a furnace). The caves also house monsters, giving the mining experience an action RPG feel. Switching between a pickaxe and sword is necessary while exploring deeper levels, where more valuable treasures can be found. A multiplayer mode was introduced in a later update, allowing online play with other players.{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Allegra |date=2018-04-30 |title=Stardew Valley’s multiplayer mode is nice, but nothing new |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/4/30/17304754/stardew-valley-multiplayer-mode-co-op |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250422194216/https://www.polygon.com/2018/4/30/17304754/stardew-valley-multiplayer-mode-co-op |archive-date=2025-04-22 |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}

File:Hackfort 2019 - Developing Stardew Valley with Eric Barone 03.jpg describes the development of Stardew Valley at Hackfort 2019.]]

Stardew Valley was originally titled Sprout Valley and was created by American indie game designer Eric Barone, known professionally as ConcernedApe.{{cite web |last1=Baker |first1=Chris |title=The 4 years of self-imposed crunch that went into Stardew Valley |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/the-4-years-of-self-imposed-crunch-that-went-into-i-stardew-valley-i- |website=Gamasutra |date=March 9, 2016 |access-date=March 9, 2016 |archive-date=July 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718172936/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/267563/The_4_years_of_selfimposed_crunch_that_went_into_Stardew_Valley.php |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=February 27, 2017 |title=Here's what Stardew Valley looked like five years ago |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/stardew-valley-creator-celebrates-launch-anniversary-with-look-back-at-the-games-humble-origins |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416175455/https://www.eurogamer.net/stardew-valley-creator-celebrates-launch-anniversary-with-look-back-at-the-games-humble-origins |archive-date=April 16, 2022 |access-date=April 16, 2022 |work=Eurogamer |language=en-gb}} Barone graduated from the University of Washington Tacoma in 2011 with a computer science degree but was unable to get a job in the industry, instead working as an usher at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle.{{Cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/stardew-valley-interview/ |title=Interview: What's next for Stardew Valley |first=Tom |last=Marks |date=March 10, 2016 |access-date=March 10, 2016 |work=PC Gamer |archive-date=July 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710054030/http://www.pcgamer.com/stardew-valley-interview/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.vulture.com/2016/03/first-time-developer-made-stardew-valley.html |title=How a First-time Developer Created Stardew Valley, 2016's Best Game to Date |first=Jesse |last=Singal |date=March 14, 2016 |access-date=March 14, 2016 |website=Vulture.com |publisher=New York Media, LLC |archive-date=November 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130125426/http://www.vulture.com/2016/03/first-time-developer-made-stardew-valley.html |url-status=live }} Looking to improve his computer skills for better job prospects, he had the idea to craft a game that would also pull in his artistic side. Barone grew up in the Pacific Northwest and incorporated many elements of the region into the gameplay and art.{{cite web | url = https://www.king5.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/evening/eric-barone-stardew-valley/281-7a596cc6-3c48-458b-bbda-672919d1c717 | title = Auburn native develops beloved, bestselling video game | publisher = KING-TV | first = Ellen | last = Meny | date = April 15, 2020 | access-date = April 16, 2020 | archive-date = April 16, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200416030134/https://www.king5.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/evening/eric-barone-stardew-valley/281-7a596cc6-3c48-458b-bbda-672919d1c717 | url-status = live }}

Stardew Valley originally began as a modern fan-made alternative to the Story of Seasons series, as Barone felt the series had gotten "progressively worse" after Harvest Moon: Back to Nature.{{cite web |last1=Lin |first1=Amy |title=Stardew Valley: Pushing The Boundaries of Farming RPGs |url=http://cornellsun.com/2016/02/23/stardew-valley-pushing-the-boundaries-of-farming-rpgs/ |work=The Cornell Daily Sun |date=February 23, 2016 |access-date=March 9, 2016 |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814175229/http://cornellsun.com/2016/02/23/stardew-valley-pushing-the-boundaries-of-farming-rpgs/ |url-status=live }} Unable to find a satisfactory replacement, he created a game similar to the series, saying he intended "to address the problems I had with [Story of Seasons]" and that "no title in the series ever brought it all together in a perfect way". Barone was also inspired by other games, including Animal Crossing, Rune Factory, Minecraft, and Terraria, adding features of those games such as crafting, quests, and combat.{{cite web |last1=King |first1=Melissa |title=Stardew Valley: Love Who You Actually Love |url=https://unwinnable.com/2016/03/16/stardew-valley-love-who-you-actually-love/ |website=Unwinnable |date=March 16, 2016 |access-date=December 26, 2019 |archive-date=March 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320110054/https://unwinnable.com/2016/03/16/stardew-valley-love-who-you-actually-love/ |url-status=live }} He was the sole developer of the game, creating all of its pixel art, music, sound effects, story, and dialogue. Barone used Reason Studios, a digital audio workstation, to create all the music and sound effects within the game and Paint.NET for the pixel art.{{Cite web |last=Faulkner |first=Cameron |date=March 19, 2024 |title=Here's what ConcernedApe uses to work on Stardew Valley and to unwind |url=https://www.polygon.com/24099974/concernedape-stardew-valley-eric-barone-sherpa-trucker-jacket-buckwheat-pillow |access-date=May 8, 2024 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}

Initially, Barone considered releasing Stardew Valley on Xbox Live Indie Games due to the ease of publishing on that platform, but found that his scope for it became much larger than originally anticipated. He publicly announced the game in September 2012, using Steam Greenlight to gauge interest in it. After the game was shown a great deal of support from the community, Barone began working on it in full, engaging with Reddit and Twitter communities to discuss his progress and gain feedback on proposed additions. Shortly after the Greenlight period in 2013, he was approached by Finn Brice, director of Chucklefish, who offered to help publish the game on release. Chucklefish took over many of the non-development activities for Barone, such as site hosting and setting up his development wiki.{{cite web |last=Dealessandri |first=Marie |date=April 8, 2016 |title=How Stardew Valley won Steam |url=http://www.mcvuk.com/index.php/news/read/in-the-valley-of-success/0165236 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422065932/http://www.mcvuk.com/index.php/news/read/in-the-valley-of-success/0165236 |archive-date=April 22, 2016 |access-date=April 12, 2016 |work=MCV}} Barone decided not to use Steam's early access feature for development, as he felt it was not well suited to Stardew Valley. Barone spent four years on the project, redoing it multiple times and often spending 10 hours or more a day on it. He originally programmed it in C# using the Microsoft XNA framework, but later migrated to MonoGame in 2021, which, according to Barone, "futureproofs the game and allows mods to access more than 4 gigs of RAM".{{Cite news|last=Chalk|first=Andy|date=December 1, 2021|title=Stardew Valley update 'futureproofs the game' with improved modding support|language=en|work=PC Gamer|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/stardew-valley-update-futureproofs-the-game-with-improved-modding-support/|access-date=February 12, 2022|archive-date=February 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212230908/https://www.pcgamer.com/stardew-valley-update-futureproofs-the-game-with-improved-modding-support/|url-status=live}}

{{listen |filename=Stardew Valley - Stardew Valley Overture.ogg|title="Stardew Valley Overture"|description=Title screen song, composed by Barone}}

Barone aimed to give players the feeling of immersion in a small farming community, saying he wanted Stardew Valley to be entertaining while also having "real-world messages".{{cite web |title=5 Things You Should Know About 2016's Best Game: Stardew Valley |url=https://www.format.com/magazine/news/photography/stardew-valley-game |website=Format Magazine |access-date=September 27, 2016 |date=March 28, 2016 |first=Jill Blackmore |last=Evans}} In contrast to earlier Story of Seasons games, which could end after two years of in-game time has passed, Barone kept Stardew Valley open-ended so that players would not feel rushed to try to complete everything possible. During development, he recognized that some players would attempt to figure out mechanically how to maximize their farm's yield and profit through spreadsheets and other tools, but hoped that most would take the time to learn these on their own. To that end, he designed the cooking aspect of the game purposely not to be profitable, but instead to pay back in bonuses that aided exploration, farming, mining, and fishing skills. Barone also opted not to include the butchering of farm animals for meat products, encouraging players to name and tend to each animal.

File:Stardew Valley (29483758292).jpg]]

In April 2015, Barone announced he intended to release the game only once he felt it was feature complete, refusing to put it onto the Early Access program or accept pre-sale payments. The game was released for Windows on February 26, 2016. After its release, Barone continued to work on it, taking feedback from the community and patching bugs, and stated plans to add more features.{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/stardew-valley-s-creator-has-won-the-hearts-of-pc-gamer-1762636730 |title=Stardew Valley's Creator Has Won The Hearts Of PC Gamers |first=Patricia |last=Hernandez |date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=March 3, 2016 |work=Kotaku |archive-date=July 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705144113/http://kotaku.com/stardew-valley-s-creator-has-won-the-hearts-of-pc-gamer-1762636730 |url-status=live }} Barone anticipated adding more end-game content, as well as ports for other platforms. He said that he initially planned a four-player cooperative mode to be released in the game at launch.{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/2/29/11134934/stardew-valley-steam-indie-farming-rpg-harvest-moon |title=How did indie farming sim Stardew Valley top the Steam sales chart? |first=Allegra |last=Frank |work=Polygon |date=February 29, 2016 |access-date=March 2, 2016 |archive-date=July 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708022105/https://www.polygon.com/2016/2/29/11134934/stardew-valley-steam-indie-farming-rpg-harvest-moon |url-status=live }} In this mode, Barone planned that players would share a common farm, each player tackling different tasks, such as one player mining while others tended to different parts of the farm.{{cite web |url=http://steamed.kotaku.com/the-past-present-and-future-of-stardew-valley-1766238624 |title=The Past, Present, And Future Of Stardew Valley |first=Nathan |last=Grayson |date=March 21, 2016 |access-date=March 22, 2016 |work=Kotaku |archive-date=July 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170717074445/http://steamed.kotaku.com/the-past-present-and-future-of-stardew-valley-1766238624 |url-status=dead }} The multiplayer feature supports both local area network and remote online connectivity.{{cite web | url = https://www.destructoid.com/stardew-valley-s-multiplayer-update-will-feature-local-and-online-play-482608.phtml | title = Stardew Valley's multiplayer update will feature local and online play | first = Peter | last = Glagowski | date = January 15, 2018 | access-date = January 15, 2018 | work = Destructoid | archive-date = January 20, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180120161922/https://www.destructoid.com/stardew-valley-s-multiplayer-update-will-feature-local-and-online-play-482608.phtml | url-status = live }} Barone had planned for public beta testing of the multiplayer feature in late 2017 for the Windows version, but was still working to improve the network code by early 2018.{{cite web | url = https://www.vg247.com/2017/08/01/stardew-valley-multiplayer-details-emerge-beta-test-coming-to-steam-at-the-end-of-2017/ | title = Stardew Valley multiplayer details emerge, beta test coming to Steam at the end of 2017 | first = Stephany | last = Nunnelley | date = August 1, 2017 | access-date = August 1, 2017 | work = VG247 | archive-date = August 1, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170801223105/https://www.vg247.com/2017/08/01/stardew-valley-multiplayer-details-emerge-beta-test-coming-to-steam-at-the-end-of-2017/ | url-status = live }} The multiplayer beta for Windows was released in April 2018 and officially launched for all PC platforms on August 1, 2018.{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/stardew-valley-launches-multiplayer-beta-alongside-single-player-patch/ | title = Stardew Valley launches multiplayer beta | first = Joe | last = Donnelley | date = April 30, 2018 | access-date = April 30, 2018 | work = PC Gamer | archive-date = May 1, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180501093655/https://www.pcgamer.com/stardew-valley-launches-multiplayer-beta-alongside-single-player-patch/ | url-status = live }}{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/stardew-valley-multiplayer-out-now-on-pc/ | title = Stardew Valley multiplayer out now on PC | first = Joe | last = Donnelly | date = August 1, 2018 | access-date = August 1, 2018 | work = PC Gamer | archive-date = August 1, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180801190328/https://www.pcgamer.com/stardew-valley-multiplayer-out-now-on-pc/ | url-status = live }} In December 2018, the multiplayer update was released for the Nintendo Switch.{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/10/18134912/stardew-valley-multiplayer-update-nintendo-switch | title = Stardew Valley's big multiplayer update hits Switch this week | first = Allegra | last = Frank | date = December 10, 2018 | access-date = January 3, 2019 | work = Polygon | archive-date = December 11, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181211070507/https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/10/18134912/stardew-valley-multiplayer-update-nintendo-switch | url-status = live }} An official sheet music book for piano and album was released in 2018 by label Materia Collective.{{cite news |last1=Makuch |first1=Eddie |date=September 26, 2018 |title=Stardew Valley's Music Gets More Peaceful In New Piano Album, Listen To A Track Here |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stardew-valleys-music-gets-more-peaceful-in-new-pi/1100-6462082/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301234242/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stardew-valleys-music-gets-more-peaceful-in-new-pi/1100-6462082/ |archive-date=March 1, 2022 |access-date=March 1, 2022 |publisher=GameSpot}}

Mobile versions for iOS and Android were developed with help of The Secret Police, with the iOS version released on October 24, 2018, and the Android version on March 14, 2019.{{cite web |last1=Madnani |first1=Mikhail |title='Stardew Valley' for Android Finally Has a Confirmed Release Date |url=https://toucharcade.com/2019/02/26/stardew-valley-android-release-date-confirmed-price/ |website=Touch Arcade |date=February 26, 2019 |access-date=February 26, 2019 |archive-date=February 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227003338/https://toucharcade.com/2019/02/26/stardew-valley-android-release-date-confirmed-price/ |url-status=live }} Both versions include the ability for Linux, macOS, and Windows users to transfer progress to their device.{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/9/17957290/stardew-valley-farm-game-iphone-release-date | title = Peaceful farming sim Stardew Valley is coming to the iPhone | first = Andrew | last = Webster | date = October 9, 2018 | access-date = October 9, 2018 | work = The Verge | archive-date = October 9, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181009224356/https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/9/17957290/stardew-valley-farm-game-iphone-release-date | url-status = live }}{{cite web | url = https://www.destructoid.com/stardew-valley-is-headed-to-ios-this-month-and-then-android-526438.phtml | title = Stardew Valley is headed to iOS this month and then Android | first = Jordan | last = Devore | date = October 9, 2018 | access-date = October 9, 2018 | work = Destructoid | archive-date = March 8, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210308040040/https://www.destructoid.com/stardew-valley-is-headed-to-ios-this-month-and-then-android-526438.phtml | url-status = live }}{{cite web | url = https://www.destructoid.com/cultivate-your-own-pocket-farm-as-stardew-valley-lands-on-ios-528315.phtml | title = Cultivate your own pocket farm as Stardew Valley lands on iOS | first = Chris | last = Moyse | date = October 24, 2018 | access-date = October 24, 2018 | work = Destructoid | archive-date = March 8, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210308065938/https://www.destructoid.com/cultivate-your-own-pocket-farm-as-stardew-valley-lands-on-ios-528315.phtml | url-status = live }} In 2018, Barone said he wanted to assemble a team of developers to help continue the game's development.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-12-14-eric-barone-forming-team-for-stardew-valley | title = Eric Barone forming team for Stardew Valley | first = Rebekah | last = Valentine | date = December 14, 2018 | access-date = December 14, 2018 | work = GamesIndustry.biz | archive-date = December 15, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181215045055/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-12-14-eric-barone-forming-team-for-stardew-valley | url-status = live }} By 2019, all versions of the game, except on mobile, were self-published by Barone.{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/331910/Stardew_Valley_dev_announces_decision_to_selfpublish.php | title = Stardew Valley dev announces decision to self-publish | first = Emma | last = Kidwell | date = November 30, 2018 | access-date = November 30, 2018 | work = Gamasutra | archive-date = December 1, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181201020007/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/331910/Stardew_Valley_dev_announces_decision_to_selfpublish.php | url-status = dead }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.stardewvalley.net/self-publishing-on-switch/|title=Stardew Valley - Self-publishing on Switch|last=Barone|first=Eric|date=October 1, 2019|website=Stardew Valley Developer Blog|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222054644/https://www.stardewvalley.net/self-publishing-on-switch/|archive-date=February 22, 2020|access-date=February 22, 2020}} In 2020, Barone collaborated with Fangamer to announce the physical release of the game's standard and collector's edition, as well as the Switch and PC versions.{{Cite web |last=Marshall |first=Cass |date=July 30, 2020 |title=This adorable physical copy of Stardew Valley comes with your own deed |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/7/30/21348458/stardew-valley-physical-copy-collector-edition-fangamer-preorder |access-date=April 9, 2021 |website=Polygon |language=en}}

In November 2024, Barone published an update significantly expanding on the initial features of the game, which was released on all platforms including PC, Nintendo Switch, Playstation, and Xbox.{{Cite web |author1=Jordan Gerblick |date=October 24, 2024 |title=Eric Barone confirms Stardew Valley update 1.6.9 for all platforms and reminds fans some new stuff is "better experienced" on a new save |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/simulation/eric-barone-confirms-stardew-valley-update-1-6-9-for-all-platforms-and-reminds-fans-some-new-stuff-is-better-experienced-on-a-new-save/ |access-date=November 21, 2024 |website=gamesradar |language=en}}

In May 2016, Barone announced that Chucklefish would help with non-English localizations, Linux, macOS, and console ports, and the technical aspects required for online cooperative play, allowing him to focus solely on the first major content update.{{cite news |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/05/03/stardew-valley-co-op-support/ |title=Stardew Valley Recruits Help For Co-op |first=Alice |last=O'Conner |date=May 3, 2016 |access-date=May 3, 2016 |website=Rock Paper Shotgun |archive-date=May 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531192845/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/05/03/stardew-valley-co-op-support/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/stardew-valley-multiplayer-console-ports-confirmed/1100-6439416/ |title=Stardew Valley Multiplayer, Console Ports Confirmed |first=Mat |last=Pagat |date=May 2, 2016 |access-date=June 5, 2016 |work=GameSpot |archive-date=July 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710024650/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/stardew-valley-multiplayer-console-ports-confirmed/1100-6439416/ |url-status=live }} The Linux and macOS ports were released on July 29, 2016.{{Cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/smile-inducing-farm-sim-stardew-valley-hits-mac-linux-next-week-376151.phtml |title=Smile-inducing farm sim Stardew Valley hits Mac, Linux next week |first=Jordan |last=Devore |date=July 20, 2016 |access-date=July 20, 2016 |work=Destructoid |archive-date=October 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017051111/https://www.destructoid.com/smile-inducing-farm-sim-stardew-valley-hits-mac-linux-next-week-376151.phtml |url-status=live }} Ports for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One were announced at E3 2016 in June.{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/stardew-valley-confirmed-for-ps4-xbox-one-and-wii-/1100-6440778/ |title=Stardew Valley Confirmed for PS4, Xbox One, and Wii U |first=Chris |last=Pereira |date=June 13, 2016 |access-date=June 13, 2016 |work=GameSpot |archive-date=June 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615053359/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/stardew-valley-confirmed-for-ps4-xbox-one-and-wii-/1100-6440778/ |url-status=live }} At the same event, Barone said that a port for the Wii U would also be released; that version was later canceled in favor of a version for the Nintendo Switch.{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/11/29/stardew-valley-console-release-dates-announced-now-coming-to-nintendo-switch |title=Stardew Valley Console Release Dates Announced, Now Coming to Nintendo Switch |first=Evan |last=Campbell |date=November 29, 2016 |access-date=November 29, 2016 |work=IGN |archive-date=November 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130112206/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/11/29/stardew-valley-console-release-dates-announced-now-coming-to-nintendo-switch |url-status=live }} The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions were released respectively on December 13 and 14, 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-11-29-stardew-valley-is-coming-to-xbox-one-in-two-weeks |title=Stardew Valley crops up on Xbox One in two weeks |last=Matulef |first=Jeffrey |date=November 29, 2016 |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=November 29, 2016 |archive-date=November 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130040346/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-11-29-stardew-valley-is-coming-to-xbox-one-in-two-weeks |url-status=live }} The Switch version, ported by Sickhead Games, was released on October 5, 2017.{{cite web |last=Lada |first=Jenni |date=February 28, 2017 |title=Chucklefish Bringing WarGroove, Stardew Valley, And Pocket Rumble To The Switch |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2017/02/28/chucklefish-bringing-wargroove-stardew-valley-pocket-rumble-switch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705220431/http://www.siliconera.com/2017/02/28/chucklefish-bringing-wargroove-stardew-valley-pocket-rumble-switch/ |archive-date=July 5, 2017 |access-date=February 28, 2017 |work=Siliconera}}{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-switch-version-of-stardew-valley-releases/1100-6453715/ | title = Nintendo Switch Version Of Stardew Valley Releases This Week | first = Kevin | last = Kzenivic | date = October 2, 2017 | access-date = October 2, 2017 | work = GameSpot | archive-date = October 2, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171002220020/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-switch-version-of-stardew-valley-releases/1100-6453715/ | url-status = live }}

In early 2017, Barone stated his intentions for the possibility of a PlayStation Vita port, which was released on May 22, 2018.{{Cite web |last=Lada |first=Jenni |date=January 19, 2017 |title=Stardew Valley Vita Port Under Investigation |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2017/01/19/stardew-valley-vita-port-investigation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706162128/http://www.siliconera.com/2017/01/19/stardew-valley-vita-port-investigation/ |archive-date=July 6, 2017 |access-date=January 19, 2017 |work=Siliconera}}{{cite web|last1=Frank|first1=Allegra|title=Stardew Valley on PS Vita lives, and it's almost here|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/5/14/17352396/stardew-valley-ps-vita-release-date|website=Polygon|date=May 14, 2018|access-date=May 14, 2018|archive-date=May 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516222726/https://www.polygon.com/2018/5/14/17352396/stardew-valley-ps-vita-release-date|url-status=live}} Retail versions for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are published and distributed by 505 Games. A collector's edition released at the same time included a physical map of the game's world, a download code for the soundtrack, and a guidebook.{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/02/03/stardew-valley-collectors-edition-announced-for-retail |title=Stardew Valley Collector's Edition Announced for Retail |first=Michael |last=Passalacqua |date=February 3, 2017 |access-date=February 3, 2017 |work=IGN |archive-date=August 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822182820/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/02/03/stardew-valley-collectors-edition-announced-for-retail |url-status=live }}

In December 2018, the publishing rights for all platforms outside of Android, iOS, and Nintendo Switch reverted to Barone.{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-12-01-stardew-valley-dev-splits-with-uk-publishing-partner-chucklefish |title=Stardew Valley dev splits with UK publishing partner Chucklefish |first=Vikki |last=Blake |date=December 3, 2018 |website=Eurogamer |access-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317232824/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-12-01-stardew-valley-dev-splits-with-uk-publishing-partner-chucklefish |url-status=live }} He regained the rights for the Nintendo Switch release in October 2019,{{cite web |last=Olson |first=Mathew |date=October 8, 2019 |title=Stardew Valley's Creator on Self-Publishing, the 'Everything' Update, and His Future as a Solo Developer |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/stardew-valleys-creator-on-self-publishing-the-everything-update-and-his-future-as-a-solo-developer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008193443/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/stardew-valleys-creator-on-self-publishing-the-everything-update-and-his-future-as-a-solo-developer |archive-date=October 8, 2019 |access-date=March 17, 2022 |website=USgamer}} the official wiki in February 2021,{{Cite web |author=ConcernedApe |date=February 23, 2021 |title=Stardew Valley Wiki Ownership Change |url=https://www.stardewvalley.net/stardew-valley-wiki-ownership-change/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307090723/https://www.stardewvalley.net/stardew-valley-wiki-ownership-change/ |archive-date=March 7, 2021 |access-date=June 16, 2022 |website=Stardew Valley Developer Blog}} the iOS release in December 2021,{{cite web |author=ConcernedApe |date=December 7, 2021 |title=Move To Self-Publishing for iOS |url=https://www.stardewvalley.net/move-to-self-publishing-for-ios/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209142612/https://www.stardewvalley.net/move-to-self-publishing-for-ios/ |archive-date=December 9, 2021 |access-date=March 17, 2022 |website=Stardew Valley Developer Blog}} and the Android release in March 2022, ending Chucklefish's involvement.{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/stardew-valley-creator-eric-barone-hosts-a-mini-ama-on-twitter/ |title=Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone hosts a mini-AMA on Twitter |first=Andy |last=Chalk |date=March 17, 2022 |website=PC Gamer |access-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317225254/https://www.pcgamer.com/stardew-valley-creator-eric-barone-hosts-a-mini-ama-on-twitter/ |url-status=live }}

Stardew Valley has also seen an active modding community, with players adding various new features to the game.{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/stardew-valley-mods/ |title=The best Stardew Valley mods |first=Tom |last=Marks |date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=March 9, 2016 |work=PC Gamer |archive-date=July 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707061706/http://www.pcgamer.com/stardew-valley-mods/ |url-status=live }} One of the most popular mods is Stardew Valley Expanded, which has been downloaded over 3 million times.{{Cite web |last=White |first=Lewis |date=March 12, 2025 |title=Stardew Valley Expanded creator reveals massive player milestone after years of support |url=https://www.videogamer.com/news/stardew-valley-expanded-creator-reveals-massive-player-milestone-after-years-of-support/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430211053/https://www.videogamer.com/news/stardew-valley-expanded-creator-reveals-massive-player-milestone-after-years-of-support/ |archive-date=2025-04-30 |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=VideoGamer}} Other mods offer more cosmetic options ranging from changing the overall appearance of the game to introducing new animal designs.{{Cite web |last=Castello |first=Jay |date=December 8, 2022 |title=The 23 best Stardew Valley mods to shake up your playthrough |url=https://www.polygon.com/gaming/23489878/stardew-valley-mods-extended |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430211257/https://www.polygon.com/gaming/23489878/stardew-valley-mods-extended |archive-date=2025-04-30 |access-date=May 8, 2024 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} The majority of mods are only playable through the PC version of the game. Later updates to the game have added features for mod developers.{{cite web |last1=Bellingham |first1=Hope |date=December 2, 2021 |title=New Stardew Valley update adds support for modders |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/new-stardew-valley-update-adds-support-for-modders/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430211608/https://www.gamesradar.com/new-stardew-valley-update-adds-support-for-modders/ |archive-date=2025-04-30 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=GamesRadar+}}{{cite web |last1=Kamen |first1=Matt |date=December 2021 |title='Stardew Valley' 1.5.5 update adds more support for modders |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/stardew-valley-1-5-5-update-adds-more-support-for-modders-3108750 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430211601/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/stardew-valley-1-5-5-update-adds-more-support-for-modders-3108750 |archive-date=2025-04-30 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=NME}}{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Ana |date=April 12, 2024 |title=The Stardew Valley 1.6 'modpocalypse' could've been much worse |url=https://www.polygon.com/24127575/stardew-valley-1-6-mod-expanded-east-scarp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430211606/https://www.polygon.com/24127575/stardew-valley-1-6-mod-expanded-east-scarp |archive-date=2025-04-30 |access-date=May 8, 2024 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}

In March 2025, a fan made Baldur's Gate 3-themed mod was released, titled Baldur's Village.{{Cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Victoria |date=2025-03-10 |title=Stardew Valley Baldur's Gate 3 mod gives you another way to romance sultry vampire Astarion |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/stardew-valley-baldurs-gate-3-mod-gives-you-another-way-to-romance-sultry-vampire-astarion |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430205943/https://www.eurogamer.net/stardew-valley-baldurs-gate-3-mod-gives-you-another-way-to-romance-sultry-vampire-astarion |archive-date=2025-04-30 |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=Eurogamer |language=en}} The mod received praise from Larian Studios co-founder Swen Vincke. In the same month, lawyers representing Dungeons & Dragons company Wizards of the Coast have had the mod removed under DMCA. Vincke took to social media to voice his support for fan-made mods, raising concerns about how they are handled and urging for a solution to be found. On April 1, 2025, Wizards of the Coast has issued a statement on the DMCA, saying that it happened in error and apologized for the situation.{{Cite web |last=Wales |first=Matt |date=March 31, 2025 |title=Stardew Valley Baldur's Gate 3 mod praised by Larian boss gets yanked by lawyers |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/stardew-valley-baldurs-gate-3-mod-praised-by-larian-boss-has-been-hit-by-dd-lawyers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430210014/https://www.eurogamer.net/stardew-valley-baldurs-gate-3-mod-praised-by-larian-boss-has-been-hit-by-dd-lawyers |archive-date=2025-04-30 |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=Eurogamer}}

File:BrickCon 2024, Stardew Valley.jpg]]

In September 2016, Stardew Valley: Original Soundtrack was released, containing the game's official soundtrack.{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/il/album/stardew-valley-original-game-soundtrack/1158129204|title=Stardew Valley (Original Game Soundtrack) by ConcernedApe on Apple Music|date=September 19, 2016|via=music.apple.com}} In November 2016, the Stardew Valley Guidebook was released, written by Barone and Ryan Novak and illustrated by Kari Fry. The book has been revised and reissued multiple times to align with the game's update versions.{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=April 4, 2024 |title=Forget the watering can — your best Stardew Valley tool is a guidebook |url=https://www.polygon.com/24120142/stardew-valley-official-guidebook-1-6-update |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501135310/https://www.polygon.com/24120142/stardew-valley-official-guidebook-1-6-update |archive-date=2025-05-01 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Polygon}} CBR{{'}}s Rebekah Krum lauded the illustrations,{{Cite web |last=Krum |first=Rebekah |date=October 22, 2023 |title=10 Best Official Art Books For Games |url=https://www.cbr.com/best-official-game-art-books/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501135524/https://www.cbr.com/best-official-game-art-books/ |archive-date=2025-05-01 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=CBR}} and Polygon{{'}}s Liz Richardson praised the book for making the game more relaxing to play. In September 2017, Jason Schreier described the development process of a number of games, including Stardew Valley, in his book Blood, Sweat, and Pixels: The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are Made.{{Cite web |last=Weldon |first=Glen |date=September 5, 2017 |title='Blood, Sweat, And Pixels': For Designers Of Video Games, It's Always Crunch Time |url=https://www.npr.org/2017/09/05/547367445/-blood-sweat-and-pixels-review |website=NPR}} In December 2019, Stardew Valley was added to the Tesla Arcade, a Linux-based video game service incorporated within most models of Tesla electric cars.{{cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/2019/12/19/tesla-fsd-stardew-musk/ | title = Musk: Holiday Tesla update adds 'Stardew Valley,' self-driving preview | first = Richard | last = Lawler | date = December 19, 2019 | access-date = December 20, 2019 | work = Engadget | archive-date = December 20, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191220072809/https://www.engadget.com/2019/12/19/tesla-fsd-stardew-musk/ | url-status = live }} On August 15, 2020, the orchestral album Symphonic Tale: The Place I Truly Belong (Music from Stardew Valley) directed by Kentaro Sato and performed by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra was released.{{Cite web |title=CNVG-0005 | Symphonic Tale: The Place I Truly Belong (Music from Stardew Valley) - VGMdb |url=https://vgmdb.net/album/97680 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501140018/https://vgmdb.net/album/97680 |archive-date=2025-05-01 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=VGMdb}}

A cooperative board game adaptation, Stardew Valley: The Board Game, was released in February 2021.{{cite news |last1=Campbell |first1=Ian Carlos |date=February 23, 2021 |title=Stardew Valley is now a cooperative board game |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/23/22297947/stardew-valley-board-game-on-sale-now-cooperativ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227164044/https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/23/22297947/stardew-valley-board-game-on-sale-now-cooperativ |archive-date=February 27, 2021 |access-date=February 28, 2021 |work=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media}} Barone collaborated with Norihiko Hibino on an album series called Prescription for Sleep. The series remixes video game soundtracks with piano and saxophone. The Prescription for Sleep: Stardew Valley album was released in May 2021. It includes 10 tracks from the game's original soundtrack and one new track called "Beauty in the Seasons".{{cite web |last1=Makuch |first1=Eddie |date=April 29, 2021 |title=Stardew Valley's Music Gets Lovely Lullaby Remix In Prescription For Sleep Album |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stardew-valleys-music-gets-lovely-lullaby-remix-in-prescription-for-sleep-album/1100-6490672/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501140439/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/stardew-valleys-music-gets-lovely-lullaby-remix-in-prescription-for-sleep-album/1100-6490672/ |archive-date=2025-05-01 |access-date=2025-05-01 |work=GameSpot}} The Official Stardew Valley Cookbook, featuring adaptations of more than 50 in-game recipes was announced in August 2023 and released on May 14, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Raynor |first=Kelsey |date=2023-08-18 |title=An official Stardew Valley cookbook is available for pre-order now |url=https://www.vg247.com/stardew-valley-cookbook-available |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501140800/https://www.vg247.com/stardew-valley-cookbook-available |archive-date=2025-05-01 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=VG247 |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Blake |first=Vikki |date=2024-05-19 |title=Stardew Valley's cookbook is here, and it "brings the Valley's incredible flavours to the dinner table" |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/stardew-valleys-cookbook-is-here-and-it-brings-the-valleys-incredible-flavours-to-the-dinner-table |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501141002/https://www.eurogamer.net/stardew-valleys-cookbook-is-here-and-it-brings-the-valleys-incredible-flavours-to-the-dinner-table |archive-date=2025-05-01 |access-date=2025-05-01 |work=Eurogamer |language=en}} Barone promoted the first Stardew Valley concert tour, Stardew Valley: Festival of Seasons, on October 10, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Doolan |first=Liam |date=October 11, 2023 |title=Stardew Valley "Festival Of Seasons" Concert Tour Announced |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/10/stardew-valley-festival-of-seasons-concert-tour-announced |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501141304/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/10/stardew-valley-festival-of-seasons-concert-tour-announced |archive-date=2025-05-01 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}} The 2-year-long construction of the Stardew Valley town out of Lego won the "People's Choice" award at BrickCon 2024.{{Cite web |last=Zwiezen |first=Zack |date=September 13, 2024 |title=Someone Recreated Stardew Valley Using 75,000 Lego Bricks |url=https://kotaku.com/stardew-valley-lego-75-000-bricks-pelican-town-brickcon-1851648259 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250418212631/https://kotaku.com/stardew-valley-lego-75-000-bricks-pelican-town-brickcon-1851648259 |archive-date=2025-04-18 |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=Kotaku}} In October 2024, American singer-songwriter Soccer Mommy released a song called Abigail, in reference to the Stardew Valley character Abigail.{{cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=October 22, 2024 |title=Soccer Mommy wrote a love song for Stardew Valley's Abigail for her new album |url=https://www.polygon.com/news/468587/stardew-valley-abigail-soccer-mommy-love-song |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406124218/https://www.polygon.com/news/468587/stardew-valley-abigail-soccer-mommy-love-song |archive-date=2025-04-06 |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=Polygon}} In October 2024, "Friends of Jimbo 2" update for the Balatro video game featured some Stardew Valley characters.{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=October 24, 2024 |title=Balatro 'Friends of Jimbo (Pack 2)' update now available |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/10/balatro-friends-of-jimbo-pack-2-update-now-available |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250407114843/https://www.gematsu.com/2024/10/balatro-friends-of-jimbo-pack-2-update-now-available |archive-date=2025-04-07 |access-date=October 25, 2024 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=October 24, 2024 |title=Balatro adds new card backs from Stardew Valley, Cyberpunk 2077, Slay the Spire, and Binding of Isaac, and they're all free |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/card-games/balatro-adds-new-card-backs-from-stardew-valley-cyberpunk-2077-slay-the-spire-and-binding-of-isaac-and-theyre-all-free/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250329191634/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/card-games/balatro-adds-new-card-backs-from-stardew-valley-cyberpunk-2077-slay-the-spire-and-binding-of-isaac-and-theyre-all-free/ |archive-date=2025-03-29 |access-date=October 25, 2024 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}} Barone has announced the second Stardew Valley concert tour, Stardew Valley: Symphony of Seasons, on November 20, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Shutler |first=Ali |date=2024-11-21 |title=‘Stardew Valley’ announces second world concert tour |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/stardew-valley-announces-symphony-of-seasons-world-tour-tickets-3814681 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310173254/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/stardew-valley-announces-symphony-of-seasons-world-tour-tickets-3814681 |archive-date=2025-03-10 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}

{{Video game reviews

| title =

| state =

| MC = wikidata

| Destruct = 9.5/10{{cite web |url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-stardew-valley-345495.phtml |title=Review: Stardew Valley |work=Destructoid |last=Hancock |first=Patrick |date=March 7, 2016 |access-date=March 7, 2016 |archive-date=March 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308094347/http://www.destructoid.com/review-stardew-valley-345495.phtml |url-status=live }}

| GI = 8.75/10{{cite magazine |first=Javy |last=Gwaltney |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/stardew_valley/b/pc/archive/2016/03/24/stardew-valley-review.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325171958/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/stardew_valley/b/pc/archive/2016/03/24/stardew-valley-review.aspx |url-status=live |archive-date=March 25, 2016 |title=Stardew Valley Review – Your New Home Away From Home |magazine=Game Informer |date=March 24, 2016 |access-date=March 26, 2016}}

| GameRev = 4.5/5{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/stardew-valley |title=Stardew Valley Review |work=Game Revolution |last=Leack |first=Jonathan |date=March 1, 2016 |access-date=March 8, 2016 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303105352/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/stardew-valley |url-status=live }}

| GB = 5/5{{cite web |url=http://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/stardew-valley-review/1900-739/ |title=Stardew Valley Review |first=Dan |last=Ryckert |work=Giant Bomb |date=March 21, 2016 |access-date=March 22, 2016 |archive-date=March 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325120826/http://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/stardew-valley-review/1900-739/ |url-status=live }}

| IGN = 9.5/10{{cite web |last=Sanchez |first=Miranda |date=August 7, 2018 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/08/07/stardew-valley-review-2018 |title=Stardew Valley Review 2018 |work=IGN |access-date=January 2, 2019 |archive-date=August 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807214847/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/08/07/stardew-valley-review-2018 |url-status=live }}

| JXV = 18/20{{Cite web |title=Stardew Valley |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/jeux/jeu-457398/ |access-date=August 22, 2022 |website=Jeuxvideo.com |language=fr |archive-date=June 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618190812/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/jeux/jeu-457398/ |url-status=live }}

| PCGUK = 80/100{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/stardew-valley-review/ |title=Stardew Valley Review |work=PC Gamer |last=Lucas |first=Daniella |date=February 25, 2016 |access-date=March 8, 2016 |archive-date=February 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228020813/http://www.pcgamer.com/stardew-valley-review/ |url-status=live }}

| Poly = 9/10{{cite web |last=Velocci |first=Carli |date=March 29, 2016 |url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/3/29/11320382/stardew-valley-review |title=Stardew Valley review |work=Polygon |access-date=March 31, 2016 |archive-date=March 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329204628/http://www.polygon.com/2016/3/29/11320382/stardew-valley-review |url-status=live }}

| TA = 5/5{{cite web |url=https://toucharcade.com/2018/10/23/stardew-valley-review-who-needs-real-life/ |title='Stardew Valley' Review – Who Needs Real Life? |last=Hodapp |first=Eli |date=October 23, 2018 |website=TouchArcade |access-date=October 24, 2018 |archive-date=October 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024013126/https://toucharcade.com/2018/10/23/stardew-valley-review-who-needs-real-life/ |url-status=live }}

| OC = 99%{{Cite web |date=March 29, 2016 |title=Stardew Valley Reviews |url=https://opencritic.com/game/2242/stardew-valley |access-date=April 14, 2025 |website=OpenCritic |language=en}}

}}

Stardew Valley received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.{{refn|Reviews:

• PC:
• iOS:
• Nintendo Switch:
• PlayStation 4:
• Xbox One:}} As per OpenCritic, 99% of the 75 critic reviews recommend it.{{Cite web |date=March 29, 2016 |title=Stardew Valley Reviews |url=https://opencritic.com/game/2242/stardew-valley |access-date=April 14, 2025 |website=OpenCritic |language=en}} It has been cited by several publications to be among the greatest video games of all time.{{cite web |last1=Aubrey |first1=Dave |last2=Young |first2=Georgina |last3=Campbell |first3=Kyle |last4=Wutz |first4=Marco |last5=Woodrow |first5=Ryan |last6=Ovcharov |first6=Stoyan |date=September 10, 2022 |title=The 100 best video games of all time, ranked |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/best-video-games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220910130936/https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/best-video-games |archive-date=September 10, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=USA Today}}{{cite web |last=Rosenberg |first=Adam |display-authors=etal |date=July 3, 2020 |title=The 24 best video games of all time, according to our games-loving team |url=https://mashable.com/article/best-video-games-of-all-time/ |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704071258/https://mashable.com/article/best-video-games-of-all-time/ |archivedate=July 4, 2020 |access-date=November 7, 2020 |website=Mashable |language=en}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/gaming/g134/the-100-greatest-video-games-of-all-time/ |magazine=Popular Mechanics |title=The 100 Greatest Video Games of All Time |last=Moore |first=Bo |date=June 16, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202235359/http://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/gaming/g134/the-100-greatest-video-games-of-all-time/ |archive-date=December 2, 2016}}{{cite web |last= |date=November 27, 2017 |title=The 500 Best Video Games of All Time: 300-201 |url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/11/29/16693094/polygon-500-best-games-of-all-time-300-201 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303210933/https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/11/29/16693094/polygon-500-best-games-of-all-time-300-201 |archive-date=March 3, 2018 |access-date=December 1, 2017 |website=Polygon.com |at=209th place}}{{cite web |last1=West |first1=Josh |last2=Weber |first2=Rachel |last3=Donnelly |first3=Joe |last4=Wald |first4=Heather |date=November 23, 2021 |title=The 50 best games of all time |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-games-of-all-time/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124001852/https://www.gamesradar.com/best-games-of-all-time/ |archive-date=November 24, 2021 |access-date=November 26, 2021 |website=GamesRadar}}

Jesse Singal writing for The Boston Globe wrote that the game was "utterly compelling, lovingly crafted", and provided players with numerous varieties of activities to do without falling into a cycle of repetitive activities.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/2016/03/17/stardew-valley-you-reap-what-you-sow/OtevYl1D31M5x2KWGClHPK/story.html |title=In 'Stardew Valley,' you reap what you sow |first=Jesse |last=Singal |date=March 17, 2016 |access-date=March 18, 2016 |work=Boston Globe |archive-date=March 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320081543/https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/2016/03/17/stardew-valley-you-reap-what-you-sow/OtevYl1D31M5x2KWGClHPK/story.html |url-status=live }} Elise Favis of Game Informer found that watching her autistic brother play Stardew Valley helped her understand his condition better, as the game provides enough structure of present events with enough of a view of future events to allow her brother to enjoy the game.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/04/28/understanding-autism-through-stardew-valley.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430214137/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/04/28/understanding-autism-through-stardew-valley.aspx |url-status=live |archive-date=April 30, 2016 |title=Understanding Autism Through Stardew Valley |first=Elise |last=Favis |date=April 28, 2016 |access-date=May 3, 2016 |magazine=Game Informer}} Yasuhiro Wada, the creator of the Story of Seasons series that Stardew Valley was inspired by, stated that he was "very happy" with the game, as it has shown to him that Story of Seasons was not a forgotten series and continued in spirit. He also stated that the approach taken by Barone with Stardew Valley was able to retain the freedom that he had wanted to keep in the Story of Seasons series that had been lost in the later games, with more focus on animation and graphics.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/harvest-moon-creator-on-his-new-game-and-how-stard/1100-6445583/ |title=Harvest Moon Creator on His New Game and How Stardew Valley Carries on His Legacy |first=Matt |last=Espineli |date=November 20, 2016 |access-date=November 20, 2016 |work=GameSpot |archive-date=June 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610182234/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/harvest-moon-creator-on-his-new-game-and-how-stard/1100-6445583/ |url-status=live }} Gamasutra named Barone one of the top ten developers for 2016, identifying that he had "single-handedly" developed something that "breathed new life into a genre" otherwise dominated by the Story of Seasons series.{{cite web |date=December 12, 2016 |title=Gamasutra's Best of 2016: The top 10 game developers of the year |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/287153/Gamasutras_Best_of_2016_The_top_10_game_developers_of_the_year.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221025153/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/287153/Gamasutras_Best_of_2016_The_top_10_game_developers_of_the_year.php |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |access-date=December 12, 2016 |work=Gamasutra}} In 2017, Forbes named Barone one of their "30 Under 30" people to watch in the area of video games by citing his commitment towards making Stardew Valley.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattperez/2017/01/03/30-under-30-in-games-2017-the-creators-and-founders-behind-tsm-stardew-valley-and-cards-against-humanity/ |title=30 Under 30 In Games 2017: The Creators And Founders Behind TSM, 'Stardew Valley' And 'Cards Against Humanity' |first=Matt |last=Perez |date=January 3, 2017 |access-date=January 3, 2017 |work=Forbes |archive-date=January 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104141138/http://www.forbes.com/sites/mattperez/2017/01/03/30-under-30-in-games-2017-the-creators-and-founders-behind-tsm-stardew-valley-and-cards-against-humanity/ |url-status=live }} Stardew Valley has been praised by critics for its music's integration with the game's atmosphere.{{Cite news |last=Peppiatt |first=Dom |date=December 16, 2022 |title=Music to harvest and relax to: how the Stardew Valley soundtrack caught the rhythms of the seasons |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2022/dec/16/stardew-valley-eric-barone-interview-soundtrack-seasons-high-scores |newspaper=The Guardian}}

Many media outlets praised Stardew Valley for its LGBT options and representation, notably including the option for the player character to marry one of 12 villagers regardless of gender.{{cite web | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/27/arts/stardew-valley.html | title = Live Your Gay Millennial Pandemic Fantasy in Stardew Valley | first = Lena | last = Wilson | date = April 27, 2021 | accessdate = August 22, 2021 | work = The New York Times | archive-date = April 27, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210427140423/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/27/arts/stardew-valley.html | url-status = live }}{{cite news | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/03/23/lgbtq-representation-video-games/ | title = How video games can help LGBTQ+ players feel like themselves | first = Laken | last = Brooks | date = March 23, 2021 | accessdate = August 22, 2021 | newspaper = The Washington Post | archive-date = June 18, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210618110433/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/03/23/lgbtq-representation-video-games/ | url-status = live }}{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-06-25-pride-week-witnessing-the-rise-of-lgbt-representation | title = Pride Week: Witnessing the rise of LGBT+ representation | first = Lottie | last = Lynn | date = June 25, 2020 | accessdate = August 22, 2021 | work = Eurogamer | archive-date = June 26, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200626083831/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-06-25-pride-week-witnessing-the-rise-of-lgbt-representation | url-status = live }} Gayming Magazine praised the option for a player to engage in same-sex marriage, while also criticizing the lack of racial diversity.{{Cite web |last=Hart |first=Aimee |date=July 20, 2020 |title=Stardew Valley is not the LGBT utopia I first thought it was |url=https://gaymingmag.com/2020/07/stardew-valley-is-not-the-lgbt-utopia-i-first-thought-it-was/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102071741/https://gaymingmag.com/2020/07/stardew-valley-is-not-the-lgbt-utopia-i-first-thought-it-was/ |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |access-date=August 2, 2022 |website=Gayming Magazine}} Paste described the game as being anti-capitalist, citing the negative portrayal of the fictional Joja Corporation.{{Cite web |last=T. Wright |first=Steven |date=April 15, 2016 |title=Is Stardew Valley Trying to Turn Us into Communists? |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/is-stardew-valley-trying-to-turn-us-into-communist/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527081339/https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/is-stardew-valley-trying-to-turn-us-into-communist/ |archive-date=May 27, 2020 |access-date=August 15, 2022 |website=Paste Magazine |language=en}}

Stardew Valley sold roughly 425,000 copies across Steam and GOG.com in its first two weeks,{{Cite news |last=Marks |first=Tom |date=2016-03-10 |title=Interview: What's next for Stardew Valley |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/stardew-valley-interview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210063746/https://www.pcgamer.com/stardew-valley-interview/#page-1 |archive-date=2025-02-10 |access-date=2025-05-01 |work=PC Gamer}} and more than a million within two months.{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/4/13/11423844/stardew-valley-sales-one-million-copies |title=Stardew Valley tops a million copies sold, two months after launch |first=Allegra |last=Frank |date=April 13, 2016 |access-date=April 13, 2016 |work=Polygon |archive-date=July 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703022900/https://www.polygon.com/2016/4/13/11423844/stardew-valley-sales-one-million-copies |url-status=live }} Valve reported that Stardew Valley was in the top 24 revenue-generating games on Steam during 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/gta-5-and-civilization-6-top-steam-best-sellers-of-2016 |title=GTA 5 and Civilization 6 Top Steam Best-Sellers of 2016 |first=Mike |last=Williams |date=January 3, 2017 |access-date=January 3, 2017 |work=US Gamer |archive-date=January 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104162645/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/gta-5-and-civilization-6-top-steam-best-sellers-of-2016 |url-status=dead }} Journalists noted that the gaming community had shown support for Barone and his game. While some players obtained the game illegally, many of them were impressed and indicated they planned to buy it. Others offered to help cover the cost for players who could not afford it.{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/a-surprising-number-of-people-feel-bad-for-pirating-sta-1762379596 |title=A Surprising Number of People Feel Bad For Pirating Stardew Valley |first=Patricia |last=Hernandez |work=Kotaku |date=March 2, 2016 |access-date=March 9, 2016 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303093220/http://kotaku.com/a-surprising-number-of-people-feel-bad-for-pirating-sta-1762379596 |url-status=live }}

By the end of 2017, Stardew Valley had sold more than 3.5 million copies across all platforms.{{cite web | url = https://venturebeat.com/2018/01/19/superdata-stardew-valley-is-an-indie-success-with-over-3-5-million-copies-sold/ | title = SuperData: Stardew Valley is an indie success with over 3.5 million copies sold | first = Stephanie | last = Chan | date = January 19, 2018 | access-date = January 19, 2018 | work = Venture Beat | archive-date = January 20, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180120182122/https://venturebeat.com/2018/01/19/superdata-stardew-valley-is-an-indie-success-with-over-3-5-million-copies-sold/ | url-status = live }} The game became the most downloaded title on the Nintendo Switch for 2017, despite launching on the platform in October.{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-01-19-nintendo-switchs-most-downloaded-game-in-2017-was-stardew-valley | title = Nintendo Switch's most-downloaded game in 2017 was Stardew Valley | first = Tom | last = Phillips | date = January 19, 2018 | access-date = January 19, 2018 | work = Eurogamer | archive-date = January 20, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180120083003/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-01-19-nintendo-switchs-most-downloaded-game-in-2017-was-stardew-valley | url-status = live }} Following its mobile launch in October 2018, Sensor Tower estimated that the game generated more than US$1 million in revenue within its first three weeks on the Apple App Store.{{Cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-11-14-stardew-valley-grosses-usd1-million-in-ios-debut | title = Stardew Valley grosses $1 million in iOS debut | first = Rebekah | last = Valentine | date = November 15, 2018 | access-date = November 15, 2018 | work = GamesIndustry.biz | archive-date = November 15, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181115112905/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-11-14-stardew-valley-grosses-usd1-million-in-ios-debut | url-status = live }} By December 2024, Stardew Valley had sold over 41 million copies, 26 million of which were on PC and 7.9 million on Nintendo Switch.{{Cite web |last=Calvin |first=Alex |date=2025-01-08 |title=Stardew Valley sells over 41 million copies |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/stardew-valley-sells-over-41-million-copies/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423085418/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/stardew-valley-sells-over-41-million-copies/ |archive-date=2025-04-23 |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Pocket Gamer |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Justin |date=2024-12-30 |title=Stardew Valley has topped 41 million lifetime sales |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/stardew-valley-sales-grew-to-over-41-million-by-2024-s-end |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423085605/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/stardew-valley-sales-grew-to-over-41-million-by-2024-s-end |archive-date=2025-04-23 |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Game Developer |language=en}}

Stardew Valley won the Breakthrough Award at the 2016 Golden Joystick Awards, in addition to receiving two other nominations. At the 13th British Academy Games Awards, the game was nominated as Best Game. It received further nominations as Best Debut at the Game Developers Choice Awards and Best Independent Game at The Game Awards. At SXSW Gaming Awards, it was nominated as Most Promising New Intellectual Property. It further was nominated for the Seumas McNally Grand Prize at the Independent Games Festival.

Several Publications have placed Stardew Valley in their year-end lists, including The Guardian (5th),{{Cite news |last=Stuart |first=Keith |date=December 8, 2016 |title=The 10 best video games of 2016 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2016/dec/08/the-10-best-video-games-of-2016 |access-date=April 14, 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} Paste (8th),{{Cite web |title=The 25 Best Videogames of 2016 |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/best-of-2016/the-25-best-videogames-of-2016 |access-date=April 14, 2025 |website=Paste Magazine |language=en-US}} Polygon (8th),{{Cite web |last=Rochefort |first=Simone de |date=January 3, 2017 |title=Polygon's 2016 Games of the Year #8: Stardew Valley |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/1/3/14129368/stardew-valley-games-of-the-year-2016 |access-date=April 14, 2025 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} Slant Magazine (25th){{Cite web |last= |first= |date=December 5, 2016 |title=The 25 Best Video Games of 2016 |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/games/the-25-best-video-games-of-2016/ |access-date=April 14, 2025 |website=Slant Magazine |language=en-US}} and The Verge.{{Cite web |last=Webster |first=Andrew |date=2016-12-14 |title=The 11 best video games of 2016 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/12/14/13936494/best-games-of-2016 |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}} Game Informer awarded the game as Best Simulation Game of 2016.{{Cite web |last=Marchiafava |first=Jeff |title=Game Informer Best of 2016 Awards |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/01/04/game-informer-best-of-2016-awards.aspx |access-date=April 14, 2025 |website=Game Informer |language=en}} In 2024, the game received the Best Ongoing Game award by PC Gamer.{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Kara |date=December 18, 2024 |title=Best Ongoing Game 2024: Stardew Valley |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/sim/best-ongoing-game-2024-stardew-valley/ |access-date=April 14, 2025 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}} Gamesindustry.biz featured it as one of their Games of the Year in 2024.{{Cite web |date=December 19, 2024 |title=Games of the Year 2024 |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/topics/games-of-the-year-2024 |access-date=April 14, 2025 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Dealessandri |first=Marie Dealessandri Deputy |date=December 16, 2024 |title=Stardew Valley {{!}} Games of the Year 2024 |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/stardew-valley-games-of-the-year-2024 |access-date=April 14, 2025 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}

According to Inverse, Stardew Valley has played a key role in bringing farming and cozy games to broader audiences over the years.{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2023 |title=7 Years Ago, One Indie Farming Game Changed the Entire Industry Forever |url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/stardew-valley-7th-anniversary |website=Inverse}} In 2022, Destructoid attributed a large part of a recent resurgence of farming simulators to Stardew Valley. They further described the game as a "full-on cultural phenomenon" and one of the most successful indie games.{{Cite web |last=Warner |first=Noelle |date=2022-09-20 |title=How Stardew Valley ushered in the farming sim renaissance |url=https://www.destructoid.com/how-stardew-valley-ushered-in-farming-simulators-renaissance/ |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=Destructoid |language=en-US}} In 2024, Game Rant stated that it is still considered one of the greatest entries in the farming simulation genre. They further noted that it revived the genre in the indie scene and led to many new titles for players to explore.{{Cite web |last=Buckley |first=Will |date=September 21, 2024 |title=5 Open-World Games Where Seasons Directly Impact Gameplay |url=https://gamerant.com/open-world-games-where-seasons-directly-impact-gameplay/ |website=Game Rant}}

According to NME, Stardew Valley has been ranked first among the best video games for reducing stress.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/best-video-games-for-reducing-stress-stardew-valley-animal-crossing-3817096|title=These are the best video games for reducing stress|first=Ali|last=Shutler|date=November 29, 2024|website=NME}}

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