Up to date November 2024: This story has been up to date with the brand new availability of Stardew’s 1.6 replace.
The favored 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 latest content material that touches each space of the sport, from new menus and DIYs, to a brand new farm structure, new crops, and the flexibility to have a number of pets and play with seven associates without delay. It’s sufficient updates to make the sport really feel contemporary, however it isn’t so new that you would be able to’t ease again right into a beloved farm and toil away.
As of November 4, 2024, the free replace is out there for gamers on all platforms. The replace was initially solely out there for PC gamers utilizing Steam, however it’s now out there for console and cell 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 on your console of selection, just like the Nintendo Store ($15) or Xbox Store ($15). You too can buy it for cell within the Apple Store ($5) or Google Play Store ($5) to play in your cell gadgets. There aren’t any cross-saves, so every platform could have its personal information 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 structure (which has me very broke) to dive proper in. The replace additionally works in your present Stardew information, and I’ve been bouncing forwards and backwards between my brand-new file and a later-game file to see what’s new in several seasons. In all places I look, I see one thing new. Moss to forage off timber! New reactionary dialog from NPCs! A prize machine within the mayor’s home!
If you happen to hate spoilers, I’m truthfully unsure why you learn this far, however it’s best to undoubtedly cease studying. I’m about to inform you about a number of the largest modifications I’ve noticed since enjoying the up to date recreation.
Screenshot courtesy of Nena Farrell
Ranch Mode
The largest change to see straight away is the brand new farm structure. 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 recreation creator Eric Barone says animals will love. It will possibly elevate animal’s hearts sooner, bettering the eggs and milk they offer you. There’s much less farming land out there, and some modifications to preliminary quests. I’m having fun with the Meadowlands Farm up to now—I instantly created one when the sport dropped–though beginning with two chickens and no parsnip seeds is certainly a slower path to the infinite wealth I am searching for. However though I am broke, it’s nonetheless been enjoyable to have such a distinct begin to the sport.
Screenshot courtesy of Nena Farrell
Contemporary Crops
The primary query my sister requested me after I began enjoying: “Are there new crops?” At first, I advised her no. I didn’t see something new to buy within the store. However there are new crops with the replace–you simply received’t discover them in any shops.
As an alternative, you discover 4 new crops (one for every season!) in just a few alternative ways—primarily, digging them up from the bottom within the recreation’s well-known Artifact Spots, though spots with these new crops have a barely totally different type you’ll be capable of spot. You too can win them within the brand-new Prize Machine within the mayor’s home, when you get your hand on a prize ticket. The brand 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 recreation’s major quest, too. Simply select Remixed Bundles for the Neighborhood Middle in your beginning settings.
