May 31, 2024
Stardew Valley is one of the most famous indie games of all time. It was developed independently by Eric „ConcernedApe“ Barone. Since its initial release in 2016, it has gathered a huge following and a loyal fanbase. This comes as no surprise due to many factors. One of them being the soothing atmosphere and nostalgic look of the game. But besides the visual components, this simple-looking farming sim has so much more to offer. Players were instantly hooked on the numerous exciting game mechanics like mining, fishing, or scavenging. Other parts of the game feature combat and mini-games. In addition to that, the game lets you befriend and romance NPCs. The gameplay is split into four seasons, each lasting for 28 days. Each season is packed with events and items corresponding to the season, making the game that much more immersive. Still, one of the most important parts of the game is its charming story. One day, the player arrives at their grandpa’s old farm, tasked with reviving it and helping the valley’s economy. The player is faced with many different choices throughout their gameplay, making each one completely unique. This is also due to the fact that the game features a huge variety of random events and items influenced by daily luck.
Should you start a new save?
Stardew Valley dives into each part of the game in great depth. Therefore, getting 100% completion in this game is not an easy task. Many have been playing for years and still haven’t reached „true perfection“. However, while players thought the game couldn’t be more detailed than it already is, ConcernedApe rolled out a new update. On March 19th, the 1.6 Update was brought to Steam. It brought many new events and items, making this already rich game even richer. This was one of the biggest updates in the history of the game.
Now, eight years after the game’s initial release, players can once again feel the same excitement they felt when they first started this game. If you’ve been playing for years, trying to uncover each secret element of the game and reach full perfection, starting a new save might seem unconventional. However, if you want to relive the same excitement you felt when you started your first farm, the new update will give you that opportunity. Here’s exactly why you should start a new save after the 1.6 Stardew Valley update.
New items
The new update brought around 40 new items, in addition to over 300 new furniture and decoration items. However, for someone starting a new save, some of these items can be more valuable than others. The Dehydrator lets you dehydrate five pieces of fruit or mushroom, raising their sale price. Another similar item is the Fish smoker, which produces smoked fish, doubling its value. Another interesting item that was added in the new update was the Mushroom log. The mushroom log lets you collect mushrooms every few days. Placing it next to wild trees increases the number of mushrooms you can harvest. This item is especially useful to those who opt out for the fruit bat cave instead of the mushroom cave. This craftable item can be crafted with Hardwood and Moss, a new resource that came with the update. Moss can grow on all fully-grown trees. However, the chances of it spawning increase after a new random event called green rain.
One of the biggest changes regarding items is the addition of Skill books and Power books. When read, these items grant players permanent advantages. Skill books give you additional experience points in different categories. For instance, the Bait and Bobber book grants you fishing experience. When read for the first time, power books grant players unique powers. For most of these books, every subsequent reading grants the player additional experience points. Some power books can grant you useful abilities. For example, the Way of the Wind is a power book that increases your speed when running. Other books increase the chance of getting more items, like The Art O’ Crabbing, which gives you a 25% chance that your crab pots will yield double. Some of these books can be found while exploring. Other can be bought from The Bookseller, a new shop added to the game. The Bookseller appears in the valley randomly two times per season and offers you the chance to buy these unique books. Players were also delighted by the addition of one simple new item, the Big Chest. The big chest is a regular chest update which increases the number of slots in your chest. This makes storage and organization even simpler.
New events
Besides items, the new update brought new random and annual events in which players can partake. In addition to the aforementioned Bookseller and green rain events, players can partake in two new fishing-themed festivals: Trout Derby and Squidfest. Another annual event called The Desert Festival can be accessed after the bus is repaired. These are just a few out of many new annual and random events added to the game. In addition to this, new dialogue options were added, as well as seasonal outfits for NPCs. Many other cosmetic changes were made. For instance, players can now see a different map for each season. All of these additions add to the immersion of the game, making it even more enjoyable.
In conclusion, the new 1.6 Stardew Valley update brought a great amount of addition to this already amazing game. These additions can influence your gameplay significantly. They can help you progress faster and obtain certain items more easily. All in all, starting a new save after this update is the best way to experience it fully. For fans of Stardew Valley who wish to experience the same wonder they felt when first starting it, this update gives them that opportunity.