Updated November 2024: This story has been up to date with the brand new availability of Stardew’s 1.6 replace.
The widespread farming sim and ultimate cozy game Stardew Valley dropped a serious replace on Tuesday after months of anticipation. Stardew’s 1.6 replace has an insane quantity of recent content material that touches each space of the sport, from new menus and DIYs, to a brand new farm format, new crops, and the flexibility to have a number of pets and play with seven mates without delay. It’s sufficient updates to make the sport really feel contemporary, but it surely isn’t so new that you could’t ease again right into a beloved farm and toil away.
As of November 4, 2024, the free replace is accessible for gamers on all platforms. The replace was initially solely accessible for PC gamers utilizing Steam, but it surely’s now accessible for console and cellular gamers too. If you do not have the sport but, you possibly can purchase it on Steam for $15 for PC, Linus, and Mac computer systems, or the store in your console of selection, just like the Nintendo Store ($15) or Xbox Store ($15). You may also buy it for cellular within the Apple Store ($5) or Google Play Store ($5) to play in your cellular gadgets. There are not any cross-saves, so every platform could have its personal recordsdata and farms.
As quickly because the PC replace arrived again in March, I opened up Stardew Valley and began a file with the brand-new farm format (which has me very broke) to dive proper in. The replace additionally works in your current Stardew recordsdata, and I’ve been bouncing backwards and forwards between my brand-new file and a later-game file to see what’s new in numerous seasons. Everywhere I look, I see one thing new. Moss to forage off bushes! New reactionary dialog from NPCs! A prize machine within the mayor’s home!
If you hate spoilers, I’m truthfully undecided why you learn this far, however you need to undoubtedly cease studying. I’m about to inform you about a few of the greatest adjustments I’ve noticed since taking part in the up to date sport.
Screenshot courtesy of Nena Farrell
Ranch Mode
The greatest change to see instantly is the brand new farm format. Stardew’s 1.6 replace provides the Meadowlands Farm, a grass- and animal-focused design for my fellow animal ranchers. This farm grows a special blue grass that sport creator Eric Barone says animals will love. It can elevate animal’s hearts sooner, enhancing the eggs and milk they offer you. There’s much less farming land accessible, and some adjustments to preliminary quests. I’m having fun with the Meadowlands Farm to this point—I instantly created one when the sport dropped–though beginning with two chickens and no parsnip seeds is unquestionably a slower path to the infinite wealth I’m looking for. But though I’m broke, it’s nonetheless been enjoyable to have such a special begin to the sport.
Screenshot courtesy of Nena Farrell
Fresh Crops
The first query my sister requested me after I began taking part in: “Are there new crops?” At first, I advised her no. I didn’t see something new to buy within the store. But there are new crops with the replace–you simply received’t discover them in any shops.
Instead, you discover 4 new crops (one for every season!) in a number of alternative ways—primarily, digging them up from the bottom within the sport’s well-known Artifact Spots, though spots with these new crops have a barely completely different model you’ll be capable of spot. You may also win them within the brand-new Prize Machine within the mayor’s home, when you get your hand on a prize ticket. The new crops are carrots for spring, summer time squash for (shocker) summer time, broccoli for fall, and powdermelon in winter. These new crops can be utilized within the sport’s foremost quest, too. Just select Remixed Bundles for the Community Center in your beginning settings.
