Stardew Valley 2 Considered, But Easier to Expand Original Game

Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone, the mastermind behind the beloved Stardew Valley, has hinted at the possibility of creating a sequel, Stardew Valley 2. However, during his interview with TigerBelly, Barone tempered fans' excitement by explaining the challenges of starting from scratch. He noted, "It's so much easier to just add more stuff to Stardew Valley than to make a whole new game from scratch."

Barone elaborated on the ease of updating the existing game, saying, "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." Despite this, he left the door open for a future sequel, stating, "I might eventually make a Stardew Valley 2, to be honest."

In the same interview, Barone shared his desire to diversify his portfolio, explaining, "I didn't want to just be the Stardew Valley guy," which is why he's currently developing Haunted Chocolatier. However, fans shouldn't hold their breath for a release date, as Barone noted there's "still a lot to be done," and he aims for it to be "better" than Stardew Valley.

When we first reviewed Stardew Valley in 2016, we gave it an 8.8 "Great" rating. Fast forward to 2024, and our reevaluation of the game resulted in a perfect 10/10 "masterpiece" score. We praised it as, "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 the game or returning players, our Stardew Valley Beginner's Guide is fully updated for the 2024 1.6 update. This update introduces new crops, fish, and the exciting Raccoon Family Quests, which unlock a new shop and valuable rewards. Veteran farmers looking to further their progress can refer to our Mastery Points guide. And for those exploring Ginger Island, our guide on finding all Golden Walnuts will be invaluable.