Stardew Valley 2 Considered, but Easier to Expand Original Game

Stardew Valley creator Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone has hinted that a sequel could be on the horizon, potentially making Stardew Valley 2 a reality one day. However, in a recent interview with TigerBelly, he tempered expectations by admitting that expanding the original game is far more efficient than starting from scratch. "It's so much easier to just add more stuff to Stardew Valley than to make a whole new game from scratch," Barone explained.

He elaborated on the advantage of working within an established framework: "All the major systems are already done. That’s the stuff that’s not fun to do. When I make an update [for Stardew Valley now], it’s like, oh, throw in this, throw in that. Let’s add green rain — like, these random, whimsical ideas." Despite this, he didn’t rule out a sequel entirely, stating, "I might eventually make a Stardew Valley 2, to be honest," according to (thanks, Nintendo Life).

In the same conversation, Barone shared that he never wanted to be pigeonholed as just "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 noted, emphasizing that the new game "has got to be better" than Stardew Valley.

Our love for the original game remains strong. When we first reviewed it back in 2016, we awarded it an 8.8, labeling it "Great." But upon revisiting it in 2024, we upgraded our verdict to a perfect 10/10 "masterpiece," writing: "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 is fully updated for 2024's 1.6 update, which introduced new crops, new fish, and additional content—including the Raccoon Family Quests that unlock a new shop and valuable rewards. For seasoned players who’ve maxed out their skills, our Mastery Points guide offers insight on what to do next, and if you're exploring Ginger Island, we’ve got the complete details on where to find all Golden Walnuts.