Stardew Valley creator Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone has hinted that a sequel could be on the horizon, suggesting he may "eventually make a Stardew Valley 2."
Before the excitement skyrockets, though, Barone was quick to clarify in an interview with TigerBelly that expanding the original game remains far more appealing than starting over. "It's so much easier to just add more stuff to Stardew Valley than to make a whole new game from scratch," he explained.
"All the major systems are already built — and those are the parts that aren’t fun to develop. Now, when I work on an update, it’s about throwing in fun, creative ideas — like green rain, or other whimsical surprises. It’s liberating."
Still, he didn’t rule out a sequel entirely. "I might eventually make a Stardew Valley 2, to be honest," Barone shared, though no concrete plans are in motion (thanks, Nintendo Life).
During the same conversation, Barone revealed that he never wanted to be known solely as "the Stardew Valley guy," which is why he’s currently developing his next project: Haunted Chocolatier. That said, fans shouldn’t expect a release date anytime soon. "There’s still a lot to be done," he admitted, emphasizing that the game "has to be better" than Stardew Valley.When we first reviewed the beloved farm simulator back in 2016, we awarded it an 8.8, labeling it "Great" in our original Stardew Valley review. But upon revisiting it in 2024, we upgraded our verdict to a perfect 10/10 "masterpiece," stating: "Stardew Valley is not only the best farming game I’ve played, it is one of my favorite games of all time. The fact that players continue to return to this eight-year-old gem with every minor update is proof that it’s a defining masterpiece in the genre it reinvigorated."
Our Stardew Valley Beginner's Guide is fully updated for 2024’s 1.6 update, which introduced new crops, new fish, and much more — including the Raccoon Family Quests that unlock a unique shop and valuable rewards. For seasoned farmers who’ve maxed out their skills, our Mastery Points guide offers insight on what to tackle next. And if you're exploring Ginger Island, we’ve got the full details on where to find all Golden Walnuts.
