The indie game Stardew Valley has become extremely popular among current gamers, entering an arena of farming simulation games that introduces a unique set of mechanics gamers haven’t seen in any other. Instead of simply harvesting the same collection of crops for profit, or nurturing cute farm animals, Stardew Valley integrates an abundant amount of layers over these common mechanics, including calculating relationship scores, combat scores, and hosting different sets of assets based on in-game time. These mechanics create dynamics in the game that were not common in other farming sims like HayDay or Township.
Stardew Valley houses a diverse cast of 34 complex NPCs, 9 types of farm animals, and 14 pet types as of the most recent 1.6 update. Each and every one of these entities has a calculated relationship score that will increase each time the player gifts, pets or interacts with them. And decrease if the player neglects those interactions. Through this, an interesting dynamic is created where the player works to forge and maintain these in-game relationships to learn more about the secrets within the world to advance, explore the stories and interrelationships between NCPs, and be gifted with better resources. This is “fun” for players like me because of its focus on narrative and its call to discovery.
Stardew Valley also only makes available certain sets of assets (ie. crops, resources, fish) based on what in-game time it is. For example, only summer crops can be grown in the summer season, and will immediately whither when fall arrives. And only certain fish can be caught in their specific time frame. In response to this, players must plan their days with care, managing what exactly they will do and when they will do it to optimize their profits. This simulates real world rules. I assume most gamers aren’t also farmers, so this gives us a believable fantasy of what it’s like to be a hardworking farmer in a valley full of secrets and magic.
Stardew valley also integrates a co-play system to allow multiple players to play on the same farm. Here, players can work together to gather as much as they can, and make the full use of one day. This reflects fellowship and also a submission as you and your party fall into a relaxed and harmonized play.
