The creator of Stardew Valley, Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone, has hinted at the possibility of developing a sequel, "Stardew Valley 2." However, during his interview with TigerBelly, he emphasized that it's much simpler to expand the existing game with updates than to start a new project from scratch. Barone explained, "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 the excitement around a potential sequel, Barone remains cautious, stating, "I might eventually make a Stardew Valley 2, to be honest," (thanks, Nintendo Life). In the same interview, he expressed his desire not to be solely known as "the Stardew Valley guy," which is why he's currently focused on his next project, Haunted Chocolatier. Fans should not hold their breath for a release date anytime soon, as Barone noted there is "still a lot to be done," and he wants it to surpass the quality of Stardew Valley.

Our initial review of Stardew Valley in 2016 praised it with an 8.8 "Great" rating. However, upon revisiting the game in 2024, we upgraded our assessment to a 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. 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 newcomers, our Stardew Valley Beginner's Guide has been updated to reflect the 2024 1.6 update, which introduces new crops, fish, and features such as the Raccoon Family Quests that unlock a new shop and valuable rewards. For seasoned players who have maxed out their skills, our Mastery Points guide offers advice on further progression. If you're exploring Ginger Island, our guide can help you locate all Golden Walnuts.