Stardew Valley: An Apt Escape
I have always wanted to escape the dread and negativity of contemporary consumer capitalism. Well, boy, am I lucky! I just acquired my grandfather’s land deed for his old farm in “Stardew Valley.” Unfortunately, my buying power stayed the same in Pelican Town as it was in America.
The game Stardew Valley has completely taken over the Arts Annex and my life over the past two weeks. With stress and coursework growing weekly, it is nice to know that my virtual farmer must only worry about talking to villagers, fishing by the ocean, and selling crops to Pierre.
The peacefulness of the game incorporates some incredibly stressful moments. The best part about these moments is the reassurance that nothing too bad can happen. In “Stardew Valley,” there is never an opportunity to have an ‘end game’ scenario. This means that your farm is never under threat of destruction or being reset in any way. Also, the game offers multiple variations of play styles. Some people enjoy the fishing aspect more than going to the mine and fighting monsters. While not going to the mine will make some achievements in-game more challenging, it is certainly still playable. Some people might want to focus on their farm aesthetic and rely on visually pleasing objects to progress, while others might want to make the most money or have the rarest objects. On top of this, the game requires little skill to get into. Although there is certainly a learning curve (variety of crops, minerals, fish, artifacts, tools, rings, etc.), most of the information is provided by the interactions you will have with the villagers of Pelican Town.
This information sounds like other popular gamers. I am sure you have read this and applied it to another game you enjoy. But what makes “Stardew Valley” special? For me, it is the fact that the game feels so in touch with reality while also being a distinct and faraway dimension. Every villager you encounter will leave a mark on you, positive or negative. Every time the music changes with the season or region of the world, it reels you into a feeling of familiarity. Spring and summer might look very similar, but the music and lighting completely change the game’s feel. There is always something exciting that is going to happen in Stardew. Whether it is the next day, season, or year, there will be new opportunities to explore and embark on new adventures.
On top of this, “Stardew Valley” does a fantastic job of rewarding the player for minor and major achievements. While cash is still king in this distant land, the mystery of what lies within a treasure chest or completion of a community center bundle will keep the player motivated to progress. It might just be unlocking treasure from fishing or receiving a reward from your generous donations to the museum that will allow you to make the next step in your journey.
To conclude, “Stardew Valley” reimagines the world we live in today. From the influence of the evil Joja corporation to the beautiful changing of seasons, this game brings a unique sense to playing games.